By Susan Shinn
For the Salisbury Post

LANDIS — The secret of being a successful entrepreneur, Suzanne Phillips says, is always coming up with new ideas.

That’s why her husband is never surprised when she says, “Hey, Blair!” in the middle of the night, and shares yet another.

Her latest new idea, Picture Perfect Boutique, is the fourth business under the Blair Phillips umbrella, which also includes Blair Phillips Photography, Blair Phillips Photography School Division, and Blair Phillips Workshops.

The boutique has its own website, pictureperfectkid.com, and samples of the children’s clothing line are also available at the photography studio, 117 S. Central Ave., Landis. You can use the discount code “sweetheart” on the website for 40 percent off now through Feb. 14.

The idea to offer children’s clothing started with daughter, Ava, now 4½. It’s fair to call her Suzanne’s Mini Me.

“I’m very glittery, very sparkly, very frilly,” Suzanne says. “I’m very extravagant.”

Ava, she says, gets compliments everywhere she goes.

So Suzanne started doing research to open her own boutique, and works directly with manufacturers to get fun, fashion-forward clothing for girls — and boys — at reasonable prices.

“I wanted to start low and start small,” Suzanne says. “However, the small didn’t say small.”

Suzanne has dozens of styles of dresses, two-piece sets, sweaters, pants, shoes and accessories. And she hasn’t left out the boys.

“A girlfriend of mine had a boy, and begged me to find boys’ clothing,” Suzanne says. “She wanted a metro look. She said, ‘All I can find are teddy bears and flaming fire trucks!’”

For girls or boys, Suzanne has kept price in mind.

“My child grows so fast,” she says. “I want to dress her in something cute and trendy, without paying a ton of money for it. This clothing is perfect for a season or two.”

Of course, most of Ava’s clothing now will likely get passed down to her little sis, 9-month-old Ella.

Picture Perfect Boutique clothing is available in sizes 2T to 7. Glitter monogramming is also available on many pieces. The line, she says, is meant for the public, but also for fellow photographers to use for studio shoots.

Suzanne is herself fulfilling online orders for now. She and Blair work at the studio Monday-Thursday, then spend Friday-Sunday with their daughters.

“We work very hard, and we work very smart,” she says. “The biggest thing we work for is family time. We want to continue our legacy and reputation here in Landis. Nobody can ever say we don’t work and we don’t try.”

Not that Suzanne doesn’t slow down occasionally.

But after three days at home after the recent snowstorm, she says, “I was bored to tears.”

For more information, visit www.blairphillipsphotography.com or call 704-855-3656.

Freelance writer Susan Shinn lives in Salisbury.