Meet Mia CaraDonna | Owner of Magari Boutique

We had the good fortune of connecting with Mia CaraDonna and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Mia, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
Growing up, I’ve always been drawn to design and had an eye for fashion. To me, there are few things more satisfying than stepping into my closet and pulling together pieces to create a stylish outfit that makes me feel confident and excited to face the day. After college, I decided to go the corporate job route, where I quickly got to work crunching numbers and wrangling spreadsheets – but I’ve always dreamed of creating something of my own that I’m passionate about. It’s this desire that led me to the adventure of opening Magari Boutique. Paying homage to my Italian roots, I chose the name “Magari” which is the Italian word to express a hope or desire. And this boutique is just that – a business born out of a desire to do something different, create something of my own, step outside of my comfort zone and focus on my passion.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
When I decided to start Magari, I knew nothing. Well, maybe not nothing. I do have a business background, but I had no prior retail or entrepreneurial experience. I just decided I was going to do it, and I took small baby steps every day to figure it out. Through this journey I’ve learned to give myself grace and be OK with not having all the answers. Even now, I still continue to learn and grow every day – and that’s OK. It’s been a challenge in the best way possible, and while there have been moments of doubt and discouragement, there have also been many moments of overwhelming gratitude and excitement about what I’m building with Magari. And that’s what keeps me moving forward.

I’ve also learned that it’s ALL about your network and who you surround yourself with — this truly makes all the difference. I consider myself to be more of an introvert, so networking can sometimes feel difficult for me. However, having Magari has really forced me to get outside my comfort zone, make meaningful connections and build a community and I’m beyond grateful for that.

My vision for Magari is to empower women to express their unique style with confidence. Your outfit choice goes beyond just fashion – it’s a powerful tool that can significantly influence your mood and confidence levels. When you wear something that you love and that makes you feel good, it can give you the confidence boost that you need in order to conquer any challenge ahead. That’s why I’m passionate about helping women find that feel-good outfit that makes them radiate with confidence. I enjoy working with women through 1:1 styling sessions where I can provide hands-on recommendations on styles and sizing, as well as offer suggestions on how to pair items to create complete and stylish looks. Nothing makes me happier than seeing the smile that emerges on a woman who just found her new favorite outfit!

At Magari, we also understand the importance of wanting to keep your spending in check, without sacrificing on quality. There’s nothing more frustrating than spending money on new clothes only to end up tossing them after one wear. I can relate to this experience first-hand. That’s why when I started Magari, I knew I wanted to focus on two things: quality and affordability. We take care in hand-selecting materials and styles that last – to help you build that closet of your dreams. We strive to offer a collection of closet staples and seasonal trends meant to be mixed and matched to create looks appropriate for all occasions that will carry you from season to season.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I love this question! Those who know me well know that I am a planner at heart and I love to create itineraries and research the best spots when planning for a trip. Since moving to Charleston in 2021, I’ve loved getting to play tourist in my own city and take advantage of all the amazing things to see and do here. I also consider myself to be a “foodie” and LOVE to try new restaurants, which there certainly is no shortage of here in Charleston.

Here are just a few of my favorite things to add to any Charleston itinerary:

– Walk up the battery to see the old homes, rainbow row and the pineapple fountain. Stop for a rooftop drink at The Vendue, followed by lunch at 167Raw.

– Rent a boat and get a view of downtown from the water! Afterward, grab dinner and sunset cocktails on Shem Creek.

– Spend the day on Sullivan’s Island. Grab a sandwich and frose at The Co-Op and enjoy the beach for a few hours. Before heading home, stop into Mex1 for margaritas and chips & dip as a post-beach happy hour.

– Lunch at The Post House followed by a stroll through the Old Village and Pitt St Bridge to admire the beautiful homes and water views.

– Rooftop drinks at the Citrus Club followed by dinner at Hall’s Chophouse or Lowland Tavern.

– See a show at 34 West Theatre Company and grab an early dinner beforehand at a nearby restaurant – perhaps Frannie & the Fox, Peninsula Grill or FIG. After the show, grab cocktails at Doar Bros. across the street

– Go on a BBQ and brewery crawl. Go to Home Team BBQ for wings, followed by Lewis BBQ for brisket. After BBQ, hop around to the local breweries in that area, including Revelry and Edmund’s Oast.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I want to thank my fiancé and my family for believing in me throughout this journey. Whether it be lending a hand or offering advice, it truly takes a village and I couldn’t do it without their support. I also am very fortunate to have found the women’s networking group ‘Bubbles & Business’ in the Charleston area and for all of the amazing women I’ve met through this group. These women are the biggest group of supporters and cheerleaders, and it is really inspiring to be a part of a group where women go out of their way to help and support other women.

Website: https://www.shopmagariboutique.com

Instagram: @shopmagariboutique

Image Credits
Headshot: Aleece Sophia Photography