While she didn’t start out in NJ, Danielle Cabral, our NJ Mompreneur of the Week, is making her mark on the Garden State as a star of The Real Housewives of New Jersey, a popular reality series on Bravo. She’d been working in the television industry for years, but after she got married, moved to New Jersey, and had children, Danielle had so much fun dressing them up that she decided to launch her own business. Fast forward to Boujie Kidz, a budget-friendly kids’ clothing and accessories shop carrying hip, cool clothing for mini fashionistas. We caught up with Danielle about how her business has changed in the last five years, what the cool kids are wearing, and her family’s go-to amusement park they go to all year round (hint: it’s indoors).
Please share a bit about your background. My husband, Nathan Cabral, and I have been married for 11 years and live in Sayreville with our two children, Dominic, 8, and Valentina, 6. I grew up on Staten Island and love it there, but when Nathan and I were looking for a home with land, we decided on Sayreville. It’s a great place to live, but it’s also close enough to friends and family so that we can still easily visit them. Founding Boujie Kidz wouldn’t have happened without me having kids. I always enjoyed fashion, but I got into it when I had Dominic and Valentina—I just wanted to start dressing them over the top. When I was thinking about a career choice, it was a no-brainer. I love kids’ fashion so much that I knew that’s what my business needed to be.
How has your business grown since you first launched it? I launched Boujie Kidz in 2018 and did everything myself from the beginning. We’re still very much a small business, but this year, we’ve started busting through the doors. We’ve scaled the business tremendously and have a marketing firm now. Along with the other vendors I carry, I recently created and added my own Boujie Kidz line manufactured in New Jersey, and I plan to create additional collections. I have to pinch myself–I was invited to show Boujie Kidz at New York Fashion Week this year, and what makes it all sweeter is that it didn’t happen overnight. It’s been a long process of hard work, and I truly appreciate everything that’s come my way.
Are there any charitable organizations you’re involved in? I feel strongly that no one should ever have to go without necessities. Because of that, I work closely with Moms Helping Moms, a great non-profit baby supply, diaper bank, and period supply products organization.
Are there any fall/winter trends we should look for? For me, the more layers, the better. I like oversized, and I like comfy. For little ones, matching sweatsuit outfits are the way to go because it make it so easy for them to get ready for school and look pulled together.
What are some of your favorite things to do in NJ with your family? As a family, we do a million things. Still, in the fall, a big favorite is visiting Happy Day Farms in Manalapan, where we pick pumpkins in their big pumpkin patch and enjoy the bouncy house and other activities there. We also love iPlay America, a huge indoor amusement park in Freehold. It has rides, an arcade, and a nice restaurant with good food, too.
What are some of your favorite NJ businesses? I love Pretty Chaos Boutiq in Freehold. The owner works out of her home, and she dressed me for the entire Housewives season. I’m also a big fan of Eat Clean Bro, a healthy meal prep service. I order weekly dinners for my family from there, and they deliver, so all I have to do is heat them. No matter how busy I am, my family still gets a nutritious and delicious meal. And my husband’s business, Flash Security, is the best. It’s a security integration company for your home or business that does it all to keep you safe, including installing cameras, burglar and fire alarm systems, intercom and virtual doorman systems, and smart home systems.
What is your best piece of advice for a mompreneur just starting? It will be the toughest road you ever traveled, but one with the greatest reward.
For more information on Danielle Cabral and Boujie Kids, please see their website, Facebook, and Instagram pages.
