MELEK&MOON | Application Preview
Melek & Moon is a family-owned, women-led business applying for a $40,000 government grant to open its first physical boutique in Austin, Texas. Specializing in luxury, personalized newborn clothing and heirloom gift sets, the funds will cover key startup expenses including leasing and furnishing a retail space, expanding inventory, purchasing equipment, designing packaging, launching a marketing campaign, and securing licenses.
Their five-year growth plan includes launching the boutique, expanding their handcrafted product line, scaling e-commerce nationwide, forming wholesale partnerships, and potentially opening a second store or pop-up locations. The company blends emotional value with quality craftsmanship by offering personalized, beautifully packaged baby clothing that doubles as keepsakes.
Unlike mass-market competitors, Melek & Moon’s edge lies in its elegant, handcrafted designs made with premium fabrics and detailed personalization, all aimed at elevating the gift-giving experience. The grant would support not just a store opening, but the continued growth of a brand that celebrates new life with care, meaning, and long-term customer connection.
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General Information
Business Registration Number: 99-1762477
Location: Hutto, TX, United States
Length of Operation: 1-5
Number of Employees: 1-10 Employees
Annual Gross Income: Less than $100k
Annual Gross Expense: Less than $100k
Open to Loans: NO
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Funding Usage
We plan to use the $40,000 grant to open the first Melek & Moon storefront in Austin, Texas, a luxury boutique specializing in personalized newborn clothing and heirloom gift sets. The funding will be used strategically to cover essential launch costs, including: 1. Retail Space Lease & Setup ($15,000): First and last month’s rent, deposit, and interior furnishing to create a warm, elegant shopping experience. 2. Inventory & Stock ($10,000): Expanding our collection of handmade baby sets, swaddles, dresses, rompers, and accessories. 3. Embroidery & Store Equipment ($5,000): Sewing machines, personalization tools, scanners, and POS technology. 4. Packaging & Branding Materials ($3,000): Custom wrapping, boxes, tags, and thank-you cards to elevate every order. 5. Marketing & Launch Campaign ($5,000): Local advertising, launch event, social media campaigns, and press outreach to attract customers. 6. Contingency & Licensing Costs ($2,000): Emergency costs, permits, and business compliance. This grant will not only help us bring our dream boutique to life but also allow us to provide meaningful, high-quality products to families celebrating new life, all while growing a small, family-owned business in the heart of Austin.
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Business Plan
Over the next five years, Melek & Moon will grow through a blend of physical retail expansion, product innovation, and strategic online scaling: 1. Flagship Boutique Launch (Year 1): Successfully open our first storefront in Austin’s Domain area, creating a luxurious and welcoming space for new parents, gift buyers, and baby celebrations. 2. Product Line Expansion (Years 1–2): Introduce new collections including baby girl dresses, boy suits, seasonal styles, and exclusive collaborations — all handmade and customizable. 3. National Ecommerce Growth (Years 2–3): Scale our online presence via our Shopify store and Amazon storefront with targeted marketing, SEO, influencer partnerships, and personalized shopping tools. 4. Wholesale & Gift Box Partnerships (Years 3–4): Partner with maternity boutiques, photographers, and gift box services to carry our sets nationwide, expanding brand recognition. 5. Second Boutique or Pop-Up Series (Years 4–5): Explore opening a second boutique in another Texas city or launching seasonal pop-ups at high-traffic family events or malls. Throughout, we’ll focus on building lasting customer relationships, increasing personalization capabilities, and offering exceptional quality that grows with each family milestone. We are a family-run, women-led business with a clear mission: to celebrate new life with beauty, love, and unforgettable detail. Melek & Moon fills a unique niche in the newborn market by offering personalized, heirloom-quality clothing sets made with exceptional materials and care. What sets us apart is our passion, integrity, and relentless commitment to quality, from the softness of our fabrics to the way we wrap each order like a gift. We’ve grown organically through dedication and customer trust, and now we’re ready to scale with purpose. An investment in us is an investment in a brand built on meaning, not trends, a company poised for both emotional and financial return. With strong early traction online and growing demand, your support will help us expand from digital to physical retail, deepen customer loyalty, and make our boutique a place families return to for life’s most cherished moments. We're not just selling clothes — we’re stitching stories into every set.
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Self Identified Competition
While there are other baby clothing brands in the market, we don’t view them as direct competitors. Melek & Moon is uniquely positioned in its own category, one defined by luxury, elegance, and heirloom-quality personalization. Brands like Caden Lane, LouLou Lollipop, and Little Me offer beautiful and well-loved baby products, but their styles, materials, and customer experience are fundamentally different. They focus on trend-based prints, everyday wear, or mass production. In contrast, Melek & Moon specializes in timeless, handcrafted newborn sets made with premium cotton, lace, rhinestones, and fine detailing. Every piece is a gift, 21designed to be personalized, cherished, and remembered. Our focus is not on competing, but on curating a luxury experience that speaks to families celebrating life’s most special beginnings. Melek & Moon stands in a category of its own, where luxury meets meaning. While other brands may offer baby clothing or personalization, we combine both in a way that transforms a gift into an heirloom. What makes us different is our unwavering focus on: 1. Elegance & Craftsmanship: Each set is handcrafted in Turkey using the highest-quality cotton, lace, and rhinestones. We don’t mass-produce, we create beauty with purpose. 2. Personalization with Heart: Names are not just printed; they are embroidered with precision and care. Each order is packaged like a present, wrapped in love, and designed to create a lasting memory. 3. A Boutique Experience: Whether shopping online or soon in our Austin boutique, families feel celebrated. We offer a level of presentation, softness, and storytelling that mass brands simply can’t match. We don’t follow trends, we create timeless pieces that parents keep, photograph, and pass down. Melek & Moon is more than a product — it’s a moment, a keepsake, and a celebration of new life.
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Contact Applicant
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