CharleyMadelyn, located in downtown Apex, is not just another boutique — it’s a sanctuary where faith meets fashion and where women can find empowerment and community. At the helm of this inspiring venture is busy mom, passionate entrepreneur, and devoted women’s advocate Chelsea Jennette. With a heart full of dreams and a spirit fueled by faith, Chelsea is redefining what it means to shop with purpose.
CharleyMadelyn offers a carefully curated selection of size-inclusive women’s clothing, accessories, shoes, and faith-based products such as devotional books, coffee mugs, journals, and apparel. Catering primarily to women aged 25 to 60 (though everyone is welcome), the boutique is about more than just clothing. According to Chelsea, it’s about empowerment. “It’s one of my greatest honors to serve as a vessel for God’s word and cheer on amazing women,” she says.
CharleyMadelyn was born in 2017 with a blog Chelsea called “A Fashionable Believer.” She recalls: “I wanted to create a space where I could share my love for faith and fashion.” The blog quickly matured into a community of like-minded women for whom Chelsea’s message of empowerment resonated.
In 2019, she experienced what she describes as a “God nudge” to take her vision further. “I knew I wanted to start a clothing boutique centered around faith and fashion,” she says. “During the hardest seasons of life, those two things were my anchors.”
Despite her initial doubts, Chelsea embraced the calling. “I didn’t think I had it in me,” she says, “but God did.”
With the launch of CharleyMadelyn in 2020, Chelsea found herself “equipped with everything I needed to steward this dream” and on a journey that would exceed her wildest expectations. “He has continued to blow my mind with how CharleyMadelyn has grown,” she says.
About her mission to create a welcoming atmosphere where women feel uplifted, Chelsea explains: “When people walk into CharleyMadelyn, we want them to feel the hope and encouragement that this space was built on. No matter what they are facing, we hope they carry it a little lighter than when they walk in.”
And CharleyMadelyn’s unique blend of faith and fashion resonates deeply with customers. “We want to give you what empowers you the most, whether it’s a devotional book or a clothing piece,” Chelsea says, noting that customers often come in for an outfit but also leave with a faith-based item. Describing CharleyMadelyn as “a feeling,” Chelsea wants women to “feel the love, the hope, the encouragement, the faith — exactly what CharleyMadelyn was built from.”
The boutique’s aesthetic is feminine and chic and features both statement pieces and everyday styles. Customers can expect prints, bold color stories, and flattering silhouettes. Typical prices range from $45 to $85, depending on the style; the focus is on clothing that offers quality and comfort and that’s also attainable for most budgets and allows customers to feel like the best version of themselves. Chelsea describes the perfect outfit as “one that makes you walk into a room with your head held high, knowing exactly who you are.”
Although she describes her own days as a “mix of chasing after my kids and encouraging women to live confidently through faith and fashion,” Chelsea knows who she is — and has both her passion and her priorities straight. In addition to being the mom of four little ones — Charley, Madelyn, Addison, and Henry — and wife to her high school sweetheart, Jason, she works full time in the pharmaceutical industry utilizing her law degree to negotiate clinical trial agreements.
When it comes to balancing the demands of motherhood, business ownership, and faith, Chelsea approaches it all with humility and humor. “If I’m being completely honest, I’m still trying to figure that out!”
Her secret? “Jesus, coffee, and a strong support system.”
Whether customers are looking for the latest fashion or a faith-based item, they are sure to walk out of the downtown Apex boutique feeling empowered.
She cites her team — which includes a social media specialist, operations manager, and sales lead — as a critical part of that support. “In a retail world, where turnover is high, I cherish each member who decides to join this wild ride,” she says. “They allow me to pursue my dream while being present with my family.”
This support system also allows Chelsea to spend a few days a week at home, which is helpful when dealing with what she describes as “that pesky mom guilt.” Chelsea acknowledges that she never wants “to be known as the one that had her phone or mind somewhere else,” so she tries to remain present in the moment and work in blocks where her children are occupied or asleep. This means that she typically works in the early mornings and evenings, but “I love what I do, and it never feels like work for me.”
One of the highlights of Chelsea’s journey as a businesswoman is CharleyMadelyn’s commitment to community engagement. Each year, the boutique hosts fashion shows, with proceeds going to local nonprofits. This year, CharleyMadelyn will host its Fall Fashion Show on Thursday, September 18.
The boutique also partners with local organizations to uplift women and hosts infertility support meetings. “We want to create a space of encouragement and hope for those walking through difficult journeys,” Chelsea says. “We opened this space for women to feel encouraged and empowered, but it’s usually the women who come in that encourage and empower us.”
That space is a perfect fit for Chelsea, who says, “When I first dreamed of this boutique, downtown Apex was on my list of dream locations. The community has been incredibly supportive, and it’s an honor to be part of Apex’s business landscape.”
As CharleyMadelyn continues to grow, Chelsea is excited about what lies ahead. “We are planning some really exciting things,” she says. “I always say you plan and God laughs, so I continue to listen and pray for guidance throughout this journey.”
With a faithful heart and a passion for fashion, Chelsea isn’t just running a boutique — she’s nurturing a community where women can thrive and reminding us that with the right support and a little divine guidance, anything is possible.
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