Occupation: Owner of Shop Dolce Boutique
Husband: Matthew O’Connor
Children: Mckenzie, 7, and Grayson, 6
Hobbies: Taking bike rides, going out to dinner, and hosting parties.
Jessica Macaluso O’Connor is the heart behind Shop Dolce Boutique, where attainable style and everyday confidence go hand in hand. A wife, mother of two, and lover of all things fun and community-centered, she believes life’s too short to not do amazing things. Whether she’s greeting beloved customers, hosting friends, hitting an early-morning workout, or spending time with her little ones, Jessica brings joy, authenticity, and grace wherever she goes. Her mantra? Look good, feel good, and love the life you’re in.
What led you to opening your own boutique?
JESSICA: I grew up working for Chatta Box Boutique both here in Metairie and then in Baton Rouge, and I really grew my passion and love for making people feel good about themselves. I found my niche in more of an affordable fashion way–a make you look a million bucks, but not going to cost you a million bucks kind of thing. But really, just honing in on making people feel good about themselves.
What’s a piece of advice for other moms who want to start a business?
JESSICA: I think for a mom who is going to open their own business, they really should stick to their why they want to do it and give it their all, 100 percent, because later, it’ll come back to them as a way of having more freedom to spend time with their families, and then they are able to be a mom and a businesswoman.
Favorite mom moment of this year?
JESSICA: My husband and I took the kids to New York a couple months ago. I felt like it was just a special time for us because most travel [we do] is traveling for work or just running here and there with other families. It was something good for us and something that we’ll now make a point to do yearly, to take time out of work and whatnot to just make memories together.
A skill that you’re proud of having?
JESSICA: A skill you develop over time as a mother is being able to multitask between being a mom, being a wife, being a daughter, being a business owner, and just being able to wear so many hats and changing them all day long. I think that alone is something to be said for.
What fills your cup when it’s running low?
JESSICA: Honestly, being with my other mom friends, or chatting with other mom-business owners because it’s people I can relate to, lean on when I need a little oomph, and bounce ideas off of. We’re able to chitchat about what’s going on because we are in similar points of life. It makes me remember everyone’s in this same boat in some fashion. It reenergizes me and pushes me to move forward.
If you could give your younger self one piece of advice, what would it be?
JESSICA: Don’t take life too seriously and just be yourself. I always wish I could go to a high school and stand in front of 2,000 girls and say “Guys, it really doesn’t matter.” There are so many opportunities to find where you belong. In 20 years, they’re going to look back and be like, “Man, why did I care so much about what blah blah thought?” Or, “Why did I do this or that?” Life can be short, it can be gone in the blink of an eye, and I think just cherish what you have and don’t take life too seriously.
Are there any habits you have that keep a balance in your daily life?
JESSICA: I work out in the mornings at 5 a.m. so that I get my day started early and I’m good about putting time aside for me, whether it’s going to lunch with my friends or going to the spa so that when I have to come to work the next day, I’m able to help make people feel good because I feel good about myself. I also try to make it a point to leave work in time to pick up my kids from carpool [line], which helps me feel connected with them at home, where I can actually be a part of their schoolwork and not have to run into the house at 7 o’clock [and pick up where things are left off]. They grow up in the blink of an eye, so just squeeze them as tight as you can. Time is important.
How do you keep a sense of “you” in everything you do?
JESSICA: Between the shop and me momming, I just do it to my realest self. It’s not perfect, so I feel like it truly is me. Dolce is so much of who I am, there’s no front to it. Within it and outside of it, it’s just me being me. We’ve made so many connections through my business that it overflows into my mom life and the people I am surrounded by.
What’s the most surprising thing you’ve learned about running a business?
JESSICA: Before you start a business, you think you open and immediately take off. But really, it’s through building consistency and great employees and a great support system over time to make you successful. Staying consistent and making people feel special while also trusting in and investing in your employees creates a foundation. My family wouldn’t be what it is without my team. We are a family, and they have helped raise my kids with me. It’s just become a whole family business. It’s been a journey, but it is so beyond rewarding, and it also teaches my kids a lot.
Speed Questions
My guilty pleasure snack is… oreos.
My go-to accessory is… the statement necklace (that my employee, Molly, hates).
Current fashion obsession… fur jackets. Can’t have enough of them.
Three words to describe Dolce… friendly, loud, welcoming.
Something that’s always in my purse is… at least, like, five lipsticks.
Favorite place to relax… the patio at Junior’s for a glass of sparkling rose.