Debra Monahan

La Muse

108 N. Patrick Street

Alexandria, VA 22314

(703) 683-1696

www.ShopLaMuse.com

About Debra:

An only child, I was born in Brooklyn, NY. My parents bought a house in eastern Long Island in 1972 which is where they remain today. The area was quite rural back then (not unlike the winery area here west of Alexandria) so I guess you could say I grew up in the country. Until March 2005 I lived my entire life on Long Island, albeit in multiple towns, but it was all Long Island just the same. I received my MBA from Long Island University’s CW Post College, was employed as a head hunter for ten years and continued my sales career with Frost & Sullivan, an analyst firm, whom I continued to work for when I moved to Alexandria in March 2005. Working out of my apartment and traveling back to Long Island for a week each month got tiresome quickly. I left Frost & Sullivan in November 2005 and opened La Muse one year to the week in November 2006.

About La Muse:

La Muse is a color filled, whimsical gift store of American craft. The store represents almost 100 artists locally and nationally. When choosing items for the store I keep a few thoughts in mind: Might it provoke thought? Can it inspire? Will it make someone smile (better yet, laugh)? Is it colorful? If it positively answers one of these questions and the stars have aligned properly that day, I’ll bring it into the store.

Business Philosophy:

v Sell quality products that will inspire, provoke thought or bring a smile

v Only sell American made products

v Give back to the community

v Support our troops serving overseas

v Create an exceptional positive experience that leaves customers wanting to tell others about the store

v Do what’s right

v Show gratitude

Why did you choose to do this?

“I always had interest in owning a gift store, a Hallmark store to be exact. I find it heartwarming to watch a young woman agonize over just the right card to give mom or the husband thoughtfully picking out a gift for his wife thinking happily about the smile it will bring to her face. Giving is just so much fun, isn’t it? It’s another expression of love.

When the time came for me to create La Muse I realized that what I wanted was far from the shackles a Hallmark franchise would thrust upon me. So I put pen to paper and developed a niche of my own.”

Why Alexandria?

“You’d really have to ask me “Why Old Town?” My fiancé, Darryel, and I moved here because of his job. We had plans to move back to Long Island within 18 months … and I am sure if we had moved to west Alexandria (which looks and feels exactly like where I lived in New York) and not Old Town that’s exactly what we would have done. Old Town has a very unique personality that has drawn me in – I’ve fallen in love. Here are a few “Why Old Town?” reasons: running on the Mt. Vernon Trail next to the river and looking over at our Nation’s Capital, being a tourist destination and meeting people from all over the country and world, the farmers market on Saturday mornings, the concern that the citizens and local government have for our community, the historic preservation and last, but certainly not least; Doggy Happy Hours at the Holiday Inn … please keep them Kimpton!!”

Funny Story?

“It’s amazing to me what people want to buy. I’ve learned that I really shouldn’t have anything in the store I am not willing to sell (except my dog of course). During Christmastime I had my window decorated, a tree up and various holiday decorations around the store. One day a woman came in and wanted to buy one of the decorations. My dilemma was that the decorations were purchased at area retailers and were only meant for display. I didn’t know what to do because I didn’t feel right selling it so I offered to give the ornament to the woman and she refused. The woman left and I suppose we were both disappointed. Needless to say the next time someone wanted to buy one of the holiday decorations around the store I didn’t say a word and just sold it for what I bought it for – and everyone was happy!!”