Fall Author Boutique Spotlight: Sponsors
Business Sponsor Q&A
The Fall Author Boutique wouldn’t be possible without the local women-owned businesses helping us turn a book event into a true cozy reader experience—and this week, we’re introducing you to all four of them!
The Shanty & Co. is opening its doors as our event venue, giving readers, authors, families, and local businesses a place to come together. Bounce For Love is creating a dedicated toddler play area, so even our littlest guests have something designed especially for them. Bella’s Dippables will be adding something sweet to the afternoon with chocolate-dipped treats available for purchase, and Sovereign Tea Sanctuary will be adding a cozy atmosphere with beverages designed with fall in mind!
Together, these four businesses are helping us create an afternoon that’s about more than books—it’s about community, family, local businesses, and giving everyone something to enjoy.
Event Venue
Sponsored by The Shanty & Co
Tell us a little about The Shanty & Co. and how the business came to be.
The Shanty & Co. was really born out of a desire to create something that was more than just another event venue. After becoming a mom and eventually leaving corporate America after 11 years, I wanted to build businesses that allowed me to be present for my children while also creating something meaningful for other families.
I started with Bounce For Love, and as that business grew, I realized there was a bigger need in our community for a space where moms, children, and families could connect. That vision became The Shanty & Co. It is a social space where families can come together for classes, events, celebrations, homeschool activities, wellness experiences, and simply to spend time together.
Our goal is to create a space that feels welcoming and flexible—somewhere you can celebrate a birthday one day, attend a kids' class the next, have a moms' event, host a meeting, get married or bring a creative idea to life.
What kinds of events do you most enjoy seeing come to life in your space?
I honestly love the events that create an experience rather than just a gathering. I love seeing moms and kids participate in something together, whether that's a Mommy & Me class, a creative workshop, a wellness event, or a themed celebration.
I also love when someone comes to us with an idea that doesn't necessarily fit the traditional "event venue" mold. The Shanty was designed to be flexible, so seeing someone take the space and make it completely their own is one of my favorite things.
What is something about the venue—or the services you offer—that people are often surprised to discover?
I think people are often surprised by how many different things can happen at The Shanty & Co. We aren't simply a birthday party venue or a traditional play space.
We have hosted and created experiences around wellness, homeschool enrichment, wedding, children's activities, photography, meetings, celebrations, workshops, and community events. We have both indoor and outdoor areas, which gives us a lot of flexibility, and we really try to work with people to bring their vision to life.
I think the biggest surprise is that The Shanty isn't really about the four walls—it's about what we can create inside them.
What made The Shanty & Co. a good fit for an event like the Fall Author Boutique, and what part of the event are you most looking forward to?
The Fall Author Boutique is such a great fit because it brings together families, creativity, community, and local businesses—all things that are at the heart of The Shanty & Co.
I love that it gives people the opportunity to discover new authors and small businesses while creating an experience where families can come together. I'm especially looking forward to seeing the space filled with people, books, creativity, and little ones enjoying themselves while their parents get to slow down and browse.
When someone falls in love with the venue while attending the Fall Author Boutique, what should they know about booking The Shanty & Co. for their own celebration?
I would tell them to come talk to us! One of the things that makes The Shanty special is that we don't want you to feel like you're choosing from a cookie-cutter list of options.
Whether you're planning a birthday party, baby shower, wedding, workshop, homeschool event, meeting, photography session, or something completely unique, we'd love to hear what you're envisioning and see how we can make the space work for you.
Outdoor Toddler Soft Play Area
Sponsored by Bounce For Love
Tell us a little about Bounce For Love and the woman behind the business.
Bounce For Love was my first business and really the beginning of my journey into entrepreneurship. I spent 11 years working in corporate America, and during COVID I made the decision to take a completely different path.
As a mom of three, I wanted to build something that allowed me to have more flexibility with my children while also giving me a creative outlet. I started Bounce For Love with the idea of bringing fun, beautiful, memorable experiences to children's celebrations and it has expanded way beyond that! We are a full service event styling business for all milestones, events, weddings, grand openings and much more.
What started as a bounce house rental business has grown into so much more. I love creating experiences that aren't just fun for kids, but also make parents say, "Wow, that was so easy and beautiful."
What makes a soft-play or toddler play area different from a traditional bounce-house experience?
Soft play is specifically designed with little ones in mind. Traditional bounce houses can be amazing, but they aren't always the best fit for toddlers or mixed-age events.
Soft-play setups give younger children an opportunity to climb, crawl, explore, and play in a more age-appropriate environment. They also allow toddlers who may not be ready for a large inflatable to have their own special play experience.
For me, it's about creating a space where little ones can safely explore while parents can actually relax and enjoy the event too.
What ages are your play setups designed for, and what do you consider when creating a space specifically for little ones?
Our toddler and soft-play experiences are designed with younger children in mind, generally from babies and toddlers through the preschool years, depending on the specific setup.
When creating a space for little ones, I think about more than just whether something looks cute. I think about safety, age-appropriate activities, the way children naturally move and explore, and making sure parents can comfortably supervise them.
I also love making the setups visually beautiful because I believe children's spaces can be both fun and aesthetically pleasing.
The Fall Author Boutique is designed to give grown-ups time to browse while still making younger guests feel welcome. What made you want to be part of that experience?
That is exactly the kind of experience I love being part of. As a mom, I know how difficult it can be to attend an event and actually get to enjoy it when you're constantly trying to entertain or chase after your little ones.
I loved the idea of creating a dedicated play experience where children could have fun while their parents browse, shop, meet authors, and enjoy the event.
It also feels very aligned with why I started my businesses in the first place: creating experiences that are enjoyable for the entire family—not just the children or just the adults.
For parents planning a birthday party or family event, what kinds of experiences or packages can Bounce For Love create?
We can create everything from traditional bounce-house experiences to toddler soft-play setups and customized children's experiences. We love combining rentals with themes, décor, and interactive elements to create something that feels unique to each family.
The best part is that we can work with the age of the children, the theme of the party, the venue, and the family's vision to create an experience that feels cohesive.
At the end of the day, I want parents to be able to enjoy the celebration too. That's really what Bounce For Love is about—less stress for the parents, more fun for the kids, and memories that everyone gets to enjoy.
Chocolate Dipped Treats
For Purchase From Bella's Dippables
Tell us a little about Bella’s Dippables and how your sweet-treat business began.
Bella’s Dippables began when my daughter, Bella, was just a year and a half old. I was a stay-at-home mom who was always making treats for family and friends and helping with their celebrations. I kept hearing the same thing: “You should sell these!”
Eventually, I decided to take a chance on myself. I wanted an outlet where I could let my creativity shine while also creating an additional source of income for my family. I took my daughter’s name and paired it with my love of creating beautiful, delicious treats, and Bella’s Dippables was born.
I originally started the business in Boston, where we lived before moving to St. Augustine. After relocating to Florida, I rebranded Bella’s Dippables and began building the business here in our new community.
One of the most meaningful parts of this journey has been being able to show my daughter that with creativity, determination, and hard work, you really can turn an idea into something of your own. In many ways, Bella’s Dippables has grown alongside her, and I am incredibly proud of that.
What goes into turning an everyday treat into something that feels special enough for a celebration?
For me, it is the love and intention behind every order that transforms an everyday treat into something truly special.
I genuinely love what I do, and I love being a small part of some of life’s happiest moments. Whether it is a baby shower, birthday, wedding, graduation, holiday, or another important milestone, it is incredibly rewarding to create something that helps make someone’s celebration feel even more personal.
What is the most unusual—or memorable—custom treat request you’ve received?
Honestly, one of the orders I will always remember is actually my very first launch in 2021. I started with Christmas treats, and I was incredibly nervous that no one would buy them. To my surprise, I sold out and ended up having to make more!
That experience gave me the confidence to believe that I could really make something out of this little idea I had started.
Since then, I have loved receiving orders with themes or ideas I have never created before. I am always excited when a customer gives me an opportunity to try something new. I honestly have a hard time choosing one particular order that stands out above the rest because I truly get excited about every order. I love seeing a new theme come together, and I am always hoping for the next opportunity to create something I have never done before.
Are there particular treats or flavor combinations your customers request again and again?
When it comes to chocolate-covered treats, everyone seems to have their personal favorite, but the two items I am asked for most often are chocolate-covered strawberries and Oreos. And honestly, I completely understand why!
One of my favorite orders, though, is when customers choose an assortment of different treats. I love creating a beautiful variety so that everyone at the celebration can find something they love.
Another part of Bella’s Dippables that is especially meaningful to me is our gluten-free offerings. Because I personally have a severe gluten allergy, I understand how difficult it can be to attend a celebration and feel like you have limited options.
I take a lot of pride in being able to offer gluten-free treats that are just as beautiful, delicious, and thoughtfully decorated as our traditional options. I also do not charge an additional fee simply because a customer needs gluten-free treats. Hearing from customers that they were able to enjoy a beautiful treat without worrying about a reaction is incredibly rewarding to me. It is something I am genuinely proud to provide.
5. What made you want to participate in the Fall Author Boutique, and what are you most looking forward to about the event?
I absolutely love Heather and am so proud of everything she has accomplished as an author and entrepreneur. Being able to support her and celebrate such an exciting milestone with her was something I really wanted to be a part of.
I am looking forward to bringing Bella’s Dippables to the event and creating sweet treats for the guests to enjoy, but I am also excited about the opportunity to support another local small business and celebrate the incredible things that can happen when women pursue their passions and build something of their own.
I am also a co-owner of The Shanty, so being able to have both of my businesses represented at such a wonderful event feels especially meaningful. Supporting our local community and other small businesses is something I am very passionate about, and this event brings all of those things together.
More than anything, I am looking forward to celebrating Heather, meeting the people who come out to support her, connecting with other local businesses, and being part of a day centered around community, creativity, and celebrating someone’s hard work and dreams.
Fall Beverages
For Purchase From Sovereign-Tea Sanctuary
Outside of being a theatrical tearoom owner, what should readers know about you as a person?
I feel like I’ve lived a lot of lives in one lifetime. 😂 I’m a veteran, a traveler, a woman of faith, and someone who is endlessly curious about people, places, and why we’re all here. I’ve traveled to 33 countries and lived in England and Germany, but Egypt affected me in a completely different way. Standing in places filled with thousands of years of history made me think about the stories we leave behind and how much of life is bigger than what we can see. I believe God leaves us breadcrumbs everywhere—we just have to pay attention.
What is Sovereign-Tea Sanctuary all about?
It may have started with tea, but it was never meant to be just a tearoom. The “Sanctuary” part matters just as much as the tea. I wanted to create a place where people could step away from real life for a while, feel welcome, use their imagination, and maybe remember a part of themselves they had forgotten. Every room has its own personality and story. It’s a little hidden, a little theatrical, and definitely not ordinary—which is pretty much me in building form. 😂
Tell us what someone could expect from the High Tea Experience.
First, forget everything you think you know about sitting politely at a table and quietly drinking tea. 😂 Yes, there will be beautiful tea, finger sandwiches, scones, desserts, and gorgeous china—but that’s only part of it. Our High Tea Experience brings guests into a themed story through the room, the food, the characters, and the little surprises along the way. I don’t want people to simply say, “That was a lovely tea.” I want them to leave saying, “What in the world just happened, and when can we do it again?”
We love that you’ve chosen to embrace storytelling in your own right through the art of sensory experiences. What is your favorite part of planning?
Honestly? Watching one tiny idea take over my entire brain. 😂 It might begin with a teacup, a piece of fabric, a song, or even a scent, and suddenly I’m creating a whole world around it. I love figuring out how the room should feel, what the guests should taste, and which little details will pull them deeper into the story. But my favorite part is seeing someone walk in and immediately light up. That’s the moment I know all the overthinking and rearranging everything 47 times was worth it.
What are you most looking forward to about the Fall Author Boutique?
Books and tea simply belong together. I don’t make the rules. 😂 I’m excited to meet the women behind the stories, hear what inspired them, and celebrate the courage it takes to put your words out into the world for other people to read. I’m also looking forward to connecting with fellow readers and bringing a little Sovereign-Tea magic to the day through flavor, color, and scent. It feels like such a beautiful way to celebrate storytelling in all its different forms.
Discover these incredible women-owned businesses and our wonderful selection of Local Indie Authors on Saturday, September 26th, 2026 from 3 pm - 6 pm at the Fall Author Boutique!
Register on Eventbrite by September 25, 2026 to claim a free entry at the door for our curated $275+ Prize Basket! (Must be present to win.)
Author H.R. Burkett writes fiction about messy people, complicated relationships, and beautifully imperfect lives.
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