Business Profile: Hair Bow Business in Mercado Plaza

It's all about girls, and hair fashions, at the Bowrific Boutique custom bow shop in Mercado plaza. 

The business celebrated its grand opening on Monday with a ribbon-cutting, free snowballs and hot dogs. 

Inside, handmade bows, headbands, barrettes and other hair accessories in all colors, shapes and sizes line the walls.

A cheerleader since the age of 3, Serena Andrews, 42, and her mother Jeanne Vance previously owned a competitive cheerleading tour company before opening their expanding once home-based business in Severna Park.

Creating colorful hair bows and headbands to enhance the costumes for the cheerleading set "expanded a great deal and overtook our house" said Andrews.

Andrews, Vance and Jenny Sandlin are partners in the shop where there is also a party room for themed make-and-take birthday parties.

Expanding into other niches, the entrepreneurs have a bride and bridal party  room for consulting on custom-made wedding hair accessories. There is also a line of baby headbands and bows.

"I've always been 'artsy-craftsy' and cheered since I was 3, this became part of my life," Andrews said of the expanding business. The product line focus isn't just on cheerleading, the shop also carries a line of hair accessories geared towards other sports like lacrosse.

All of the work is handmade by the owners and a small staff.

Visit www.bowrificonline.com for more information.