Over the years, I've had some special visits from some wise grasshoppers.

Grasshoppers symbolize messages of glad tidings and are considered harbingers of good news. As an animal totem, grasshoppers choose innovators and those who take creative leaps of faith. They appeal to artists, musicians and dancers.

The first visit was on a family trip to the Caribbean. At the time, my family was encouraging me to follow my entrepreneurial dream of starting my own boutique. When we landed, we jumped into a taxi to cross the island. As I climbed into the front seat, a green grasshopper landed on the outside of the windshield right in front of me.

“Ya man, that’s a sign of good luck, great beginnings, and great fortune,” explained the Rastafarian driver. For the entire ride across the island, the grasshopper hung on and jumped off with me at our stop. And on our last day, another grasshopper (or was it the same one?) appeared and watched the commotion of our departure, unfazed.

After this trip, the taxi driver’s words stuck with me. I couldn’t help but feel that those grasshoppers were sending me a message – Go for it! Those grasshoppers were the beginning of the plans for my boutique.

Several years later, my idea had evolved into a grand collaboration with my artistic brother, John. He took a leap of faith by purchasing a ’57 Chevy school bus from Wyoming, thinking it would be perfect for my shop (it turned out not to be, but that’s another story!). The bus arrived via trailer, and as we explored the bus for the first time together, we found no spiders or cobwebs, but a live grasshopper waiting to greet us. He was still there the next morning. Don’t ask me why or how, but John and I both felt it was a sign that we were meant to work together. Since that moment, we haven’t looked back.

Now, you may be skeptical and call these coincidences, and maybe they were, but then again, maybe they weren’t. The workings of the universe are mysterious.

I still pinch myself thinking about where GG started to where we are today. What began as the First Mobile Boutique in Wisconsin has transformed into a joyful Lifestyle Boutique in the heart of Dane County in Stoughton, Wisconsin. 

Our motto at GG is that we make shopping fun again! Bringing our customers purposefully curated goods that inspire and help foster connection. Our goal is to have brands and products that you can’t find anywhere else that bring you joy. You’ll find brands and products that support incredible artists, makers, and dreamers from all over. Supporting makers, dreamers, and doers has been an integral part of our mission.

We are unbelievably proud of the Grasshopper Goods journey and we can't wait to see what the future holds. 

Take the leap! Big or small you won't regret it. Hugs, Karen