Customize Your Kids' Winter Boots with BootieBitz

Peters Township neighbors and stay-at-home moms Katherine Reitz and Melissa Vautier were feeling crafty this fall.

Both college-educated and into fashion, they talked about starting a business. In September, the pair launched BootieBitz over a cup of coffee in Vautier’s kitchen.

So what is BootieBitz?

A handmade, stylish accessory that clips onto the side of your child's boot.

The company “helps kids of all ages to personalize their footwear and show off their own style and preferences,” according to its website.

Reitz and Vautier said this time of year means one thing—the kids need new winter boots. Reitz has two children; Vautier has three.

“We thought ‘What’s a trend that hasn’t been focused on?’” said Vautier. “UGG boots have been around for at least 10 years—we both agreed, they’re functional, but kind of boring.”

Vautier said her daughter especially likes to make things her own, and BootieBitz allows kids to break away from the conformity of UGGs.

“She likes to ‘bling it out,’” she said. “She likes to layer things—in the summer she wears Crocs with sparkles.”

The handmade pieces aren’t expensive—one clip-on feather is $8.

“We’re pretty frugal,” said Vautier. “We shop at Aldi,” added Reitz.

“We know how much we would spend for something and we’re not the type to price gauge.”

The pair joked that they felt like their brains were turning to mush as stay-at-home moms, when they discovered they each had some interesting and transferable skills that could be useful in starting a business.

“We really balance each other out,” said Vautier. “It’s amazing to see how much we’ve done. I’ve worked in big corporations before; we’ve done the website, the IT, the social media, the product design, the sales calls—every piece of it.”

The items are available in many colors and styles, catering to the Steelers fan, the Christmas enthusiast, and those with school spirit—including the colors of , Canon-McMillan, Upper St. Clair, Chartiers Valley and Baldwin, just to name a few.

The perfect stocking stuffer? You bet.

Vautier said they've had orders placed from every single state and an order overseas.

You can purchase BootieBitz online or at the Hallmark in South Hills Village.

Visit the company’s website for more information, and check out BootieBitz on Facebook and Twitter, too.