Marmalade Boutique Empowers Women Through Community Engagement and Flexible Policies

Founder Marie Widmyer's personal journey shapes the company's mission to support and uplift women across multiple locations.

Mar. 13, 2026 at 2:01pm

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Marmalade, a mother-daughter boutique with locations in Coeur d'Alene, Savannah, Brooklyn, and Spokane, is on a mission to empower women through community engagement, advocacy, and flexible work policies. Founded by Marie Widmyer over 25 years ago after her own experience in the foster care system, the company regularly sponsors women-owned organizations, gives back to local communities, and provides opportunities for working mothers, college students, and older women re-entering the workforce.

Why it matters

Marmalade's approach combines entrepreneurship with advocacy, using the founder's personal story and platform to demonstrate how women can overcome adversity and build successful businesses. The company's commitment to women's empowerment spans its business practices, community partnerships, and founder-led initiatives, creating opportunities for women while supporting organizations dedicated to their advancement.

The details

Marmalade regularly sponsors women-owned organizations and gives back to local communities across all five locations. During a recent 'Pink Friday' initiative, the boutique donated proceeds to three women-owned charities, one local to each location. The company also supports working mothers by encouraging employees to bring their young children to work, offers flexibility for college students, and encourages older women to re-enter the workforce.

  • Marmalade was founded more than 25 years ago.
  • The company recently held a 'Pink Friday' initiative to support women-owned charities.

The players

Marie Widmyer

The founder of Marmalade, who transformed her experience in foster care into a mission to support and empower women through the boutique.

Caylie Shelton

The director of public relations at Tuuti Agency, who praised Marmalade's commitment to giving back to the local community and sponsoring women-owned organizations.

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What they’re saying

“At Marmalade, they are constantly giving back to the local community and sponsoring many women-owned organizations.”

— Caylie Shelton, Director of Public Relations, Tuuti Agency (Idaho Business Review)

“We strive to create a workplace that supports women and celebrates their contributions, fostering a diverse and inclusive culture where everyone can thrive.”

— Marie Widmyer (Idaho Business Review)

The takeaway

Marmalade's mission-driven approach to empowering women through its business practices, community engagement, and founder-led initiatives serves as an inspiring example of how entrepreneurship can be leveraged to create positive change and support for women in the face of adversity.