By Kim Hilsenbeck

Working with family can be challenging, but for sisters Jenna Gray and Megan Holland, opening Tiaras, a retail boutique, together is exactly what they wanted.

“It was always a dream,” Jenna said.

Though four years apart in age, Megan (who is older) and Jenna look much more like twins than sisters. Petite and blond with almond shaped eyes, they have a big smile for everyone who walks in the door of their shop.

At first, they worked full-time jobs while operating an online only retail site.

“We did trunk shows and sales online,” Megan said.

But in September 2013, they took the plunge and opened Tiaras. The name is a spin on the word crown, which they derived from Psalm 103:4 “He crowns you with compassion.”

With the opening of the store, their online presence fell by the wayside. Megan said that’s their goal for 2015, to get it back up and running.

Located in the H-E-B shopping center in Kyle, Tiaras carries women’s clothing, accessories and shoes. They also offer a bevy of unique items that offer customers an opportunity to give back through profits donated by the company.

For example, Good Works, based out of California, gives 25 percent of its net profits to a charity. For three years, they will donate to the Children’s Miracle Network hospitals, then will switch to another charity.

“They are faith-based,” Jenna said.

That’s a business model with which the sisters identify. Through their products, customers can give back to more than 35 charities and projects when they buy items ranging from coffee mugs to moccasins and from jewelry to candles.

Take the coffee mugs and wine glasses from That’s All Greetings.

On the website, it says, “We believe in cutting to the chase, and finding humor in our everyday lives.”

The saying, “You have cancer. That’s all,” stemmed from the hospital room of a woman who was being treated for ovarian cancer.

The firm gives back a portion of its proceeds to fund ovarian cancer research.

Megan and Jenna pointed out several more products with a give back business model, including Kanti, Chavez for Charity, Good Works, Angelica and Bridgewater Candle Company, whose program Light a Candle Feed a Child has so far provided 4.1 million meals to children through Rice Bowls. One candle feeds a child for a day.

For Jenna and Megan, finding products that align with their Christian faith, values and morals is an important aspect of their operation. The sisters grew up in Hallettsville, Texas, near Victoria. Megan said their religious nature drives much of their decisions.

“We believe that’s what we’re called to do … to lift each other up and support each other,” Megan said.

That philosophy also extends to how they interact with other local small business owners.

“It’s hard being a small business. There’s a lot of big corporations that can do what we do with a lower cost,” Jenna said.

But these sisters say they would rather work with other small retailers.

“If we know Buda’s Red Door has something we don’t carry, we’ll give them directions how to get there,” Megan said.

Tiaras participated in the Shop Local initiative on Small Business Saturday (the day after Black Friday). Megan said they also network with other shop owners.

“We’re all in this together,” Jenna said.

But why did they select Kyle to open a brick and mortar store?

“We both went to Texas State University and knew the Kyle area,” Megan said. “We just loved it. We just love this community and everything about it. It’s hometown.”

They are seeing repeat business, along with engagement on social media.

“We’re all about having a connection. We love knowing everybody and trying to help them,” Jenna said.