A Good Conversation: Abby Mattern, Lille Shoppe
Abby Mattern
Founder, Lille Shoppe
As we affectionately know her at AGH, the ultimate queen of sourcing Abby Mattern opened Lille Shoppe in downtown Guilford this spring. After studying abroad during college and many subsequent trips afterwards, Abby created her brand inspired by culture, travel, and her experience with artisans around the world. One of the most beautiful art forms is the ability to recognize beauty, and Abby has certainly shown us how she’s sought out that beauty within the work and creations of others. Lille Shoppe has celebrated these creations well by giving them a platform to be admired and a space to belong to.
Below, read our recent conversation with Abby about all things home, entrepreneurship and Lille Shoppe!
Introduce us to your brand & the inspiration behind creating it!
Lille Shoppe is a product of my combined passions for travel, design, sourcing, and styling. Since I was young, I’ve always loved to travel and see new places, whether near or far. I was very lucky to be able to spend time studying in Europe in college, and I fell in love with the design and antique culture there. Copenhagen, Denmark is where I lived for the semester and is my absolute favorite place. “Lille” is the Danish word for “little,” which is where the shop name comes from.
My goal was to create a shop with the feel of all of my favorite places, design aesthetics, and memories, thus Lille Shoppe was born! I spent time traveling this past summer where I was able to see and feel the items I’ve brought into the shop. I hope everyone is able to enjoy it as much as I’ve enjoyed building it!
Tell us about your entrepreneurial journey. How did you get started?
I’ve always seen myself pursuing an entrepreneurial path; I just wasn’t sure exactly what it would look like. I graduated college in 2019 with a degree in marketing and worked at The LEGO Group for four years, jumping between marketing and sales roles. It was a wonderful experience, and I worked with amazing people, but I sort of always knew I’d end up doing something entrepreneurial and more creative.
While I was working at LEGO, I spent my weekends antiquing, visiting boutiques and browsing vintage markets. I always felt very at peace while looking for unique, beautiful goods in interesting places. I quite literally woke up one morning having made the decision that I was going to quit my job and travel through Europe for the summer with the intent of doing something like this when I got home. I can’t say enough how grateful I feel to have been able to build Lille Shoppe - it’s a dream come true in so many ways!
What have been some of the biggest roadblocks you’ve faced prior to getting to this current point?
I always thought about my career a little too far into the future, thinking that whatever I did next had to be my career for life. It felt like a big, scary decision that I wasn’t equipped to make at such a young age, so I was very confused for quite some time. I’ve since adjusted that mindset, instead pursuing things that are interesting, with no set timeline in mind. I’m not entirely sure exactly what I’ll be doing in ten years, and I’ve learned to be excited by that rather than scared of it!
What’s something you’re proud of achieving when it comes to your business?
I’m really proud that it truly is so representative of me as a person, combining all of my passions, favorite things, and places into one concept. It makes me so happy when others are able to enjoy and appreciate what I personally love so much!
Could you share who has been the most impactful person in your life and why?
My parents. They have been so overly supportive through this process and through my whole life in so many ways! I’m not sure many parents would be on board with their 25-year-old daughter waking up one morning deciding to quit her job, travel for the summer, and then “figure it all out after.” They not only supported and believed in me, but were ready to help in any way possible. I could not have done any of this without them!
What advice would you give to someone looking to start their entrepreneurial journey?
I’m definitely new to this world, but from my experience so far, I would give the advice to not think so far into the future. Jump in, do what you love now and you’ll figure it all out as you go!
What are your thoughts on work-life balance? What does that look like to you?
Work-life balance is very important to me. I’ve always had the tendency to be perfectionistic, so I learned at a young age how important it is for me to draw boundaries and recharge. I’m still figuring out work-life balance in this new setting. The shop is closed Tuesdays, and I’m really trying to take the day entirely off to rest and only engage in activities that recharge. I also really try to stay present with my morning and evening rituals rather than checking emails during these times, thinking about work, etc. It’s definitely new territory now that I’m working for myself and doing something that I love, but I’ve always been someone who recognizes the value in how much better we’re able to show up in all areas of life when we take intentional time away.
What does a typical day look like for you?
I wake up a little before 6am every morning and almost immediately do a yoga/pilates flow followed by a four mile walk outside. I find this helps my mind so much in so many ways. My morning rituals are the most important to me.
After my walk, I shower and get ready for the day, followed by coffee and breakfast at the table. I love to cook and eat, so savoring mealtimes is really important to me. After that, I pack my lunch and bag, and drive to the shop, often listening to a podcast on the way.
My work can look really different depending on the day, which is part of what I love about it. I could be doing anything from helping customers, posting on social, merchandising and tagging new products, placing orders, item set-up on my website, and honestly so many other things. I’m still figuring out the best weekly routine, but I imagine it will always be a bit unpredictable.
I close the store at 6pm and head home where I’ll have dinner and wind down for the night with a cup of herbal tea and dark chocolate, scrolling my phone or watching TV. I’ve been reading before bed lately, but I’m not always perfect about it!
What inspires you creatively?
Definitely travel. I feel so inspired walking the streets of an old city, having coffee in a cozy cafe, strolling through a flea market, or eating an amazing meal at a restaurant. I have a long, long list of places I want to visit and am always accepting recommendations on where to go next!
What’s your favorite thing about your home?
Probably cliché, but the people in it. I’m very close with family and friends and feel grateful to have such a wonderful support system.
Do you have any daily rituals? How does your home support those rituals?
How much time do you have? All kidding aside, rituals bring me a lot of peace, so I’m very disciplined about practicing them daily. My main rituals include a morning yoga/pilates flow, a four mile walk outside, a quick daily meditation, intentional meal times, and herbal tea before bed.
My surroundings very much impact how I feel, so my home is a place of peace filled with all of my favorite things. When I was traveling this summer, I shipped home quite the collection of goods from the flea markets in Denmark, Italy, France, Portugal, England, amongst other places I visited, and it truly brings me so much joy to be surrounded by pieces that make me think of such happy travels and memories.
What are three things you can’t live without right now?
My yoga mat, my Adidas sambas, and my satin rose flower claw clip from the shop.
What’s your favorite thing in your shop right now?
We have an antique European pine blanket box that is so beautiful. I love it so much - it’s very old and has a lot of character.
What’s next for you and your business?
I’m really looking forward to growing Lille Shoppe and becoming established in the Guilford community and along the Connecticut shoreline. I have quite a few more sourcing trips I’d like to take, too! A huge goal of mine is to someday be able to ship containers of larger furniture pieces overseas to sell in the shop. Beyond that, I’m not quite sure, but I’m excited to see what unfolds!
Rapid Fire Q’s
Favorite room in your home? The kitchen - I love to cook and eat!
Favorite thing to cook? Any recipe by Ina Garten - I am obsessed with her.
Favorite place to travel/visit? As I mentioned, I spent a semester in Copenhagen in college and have been back multiple times since. It is my favorite place on Earth!
Most-used item in your home? My KitchenAid mixer. I also love to bake and have a huge sweet tooth.
Currently watching? I just finished Love is Blind, but I’m actually quite bad at sticking to TV series as my friends and family know ha!
a few of our favorites from lille shoppe
Lille Shoppe 23 Water Street Unit 5, Guilford https://www.lilleshoppe.com @lilleshoppe