Floor SpeechCeremonial2026-06-09

RECOGNIZING LEAH JEAN BOUTIQUE

TaxesEnvironmentEducation

Context

On 2026-06-09, Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) delivered a floor speech titled "RECOGNIZING LEAH JEAN BOUTIQUE" in the Senate.

Full Text

RECOGNIZING LEAH JEAN BOUTIQUE

Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 97 (Tuesday, June 9, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 97 (Tuesday, June 9, 2026)] [Senate] [Page S2688] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS ______ RECOGNIZING LEAH JEAN BOUTIQUE Ms. ERNST. Mr. President, as chair of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, each week I recognize an outstanding Iowa small business that exemplifies the American entrepreneurial spirit. This week, it is my privilege to honor Leah Jean Boutique of Wright County, IA, as the Senate Small Business of the Week. Founded in 2018 by Brittany Leah Howieson and Donna Jean Ahrends, Leah Jean Boutique was established to provide families in Clarion with a welcoming, locally owned storefront offering curated children's items. Attached to their salon, the boutique was created not only to meet the needs of local families, but also to help sustain and strengthen small-town Main Street commerce in north Iowa. Brittany and Donna, who first met when Donna taught Brittany in beauty school years earlier, later expanded their shared entrepreneurial vision into the boutique now recognized throughout the region for its personal customer service and carefully selected products. For nearly a decade, Leah Jean Boutique has provided high-quality apparel, toys, pet products, and gifts that help customers celebrate both everyday moments and special milestones. As a woman-owned small business, Leah Jean Boutique has built its identity around a ``for moms, by moms'' philosophy rooted in firsthand experience and trust. Brittany and Donna personally select and test the products offered in the store, helping Iowa families navigate an increasingly overwhelming retail environment filled with countless online options and inconsistent reviews. Their emphasis on quality, reliability, and personalized attention has helped establish Leah Jean Boutique as a trusted destination for folks throughout Wright County and the surrounding communities. Beyond its retail offerings, Leah Jean Boutique reflects the strong community-minded spirit that defines Iowa small businesses. Brittany and Donna remain actively involved in local organizations and community initiatives. This includes leadership roles within their Philanthropic Educational Organization, P.E.O., Chapter, participation on the Committee for Golden Apples for Teachers program, Brittany's service as president of the Clarion Development Alliance, and organizing family- oriented community events that support downtown Clarion and surrounding communities. Their continued investment in local engagement demonstrates a commitment not only to entrepreneurship but also to strengthening economic vitality and preserving the sense of community that keeps Iowa's small towns thriving. I am pleased to recognize Brittany and Donna at Leah Jean Boutique for their dedication to Clarion and Wright County. I look forward to their continued success and wish them the very best in the years ahead. ____________________

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RECOGNIZING LEAH JEAN BOUTIQUE Congressional Record, Volume 172 Issue 97 (Tuesday, June 9, 2026) [Congressional Record Volume 172, Number 97 (Tuesday, June 9, 2026)] [Senate] [Page S2688] From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [ www.gpo.gov ] ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS ______ RECOGNIZING LEAH JEAN BOUTIQUE Ms. ERNST. Mr. President, as chair of the Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship, each week I recognize an outstanding Iowa small business that exemplifies the American entrepreneurial spirit. This week, it is my privilege to honor Leah Jean Boutique of Wright County, IA, as the Senate Small Business of the Week. Founded in 2018 by Brittany Leah Howieson and Donna Jean Ahrends, Leah Jean Boutique was established to provide families in Clarion with a welcoming, locally owned storefront offering curated children's items. Attached to their salon, the boutique was created not only to meet the needs of local families, but also to help sustain and strengthen small-town Main Street commerce in north Iowa. Brittany and Donna, who first met when Donna taught Brittany in beauty school years earlier, later expanded their shared entrepreneurial vision into the boutique now recognized throughout the region for its personal customer service and carefully selected products. For nearly a decade, Leah Jean Boutique has provided high-quality apparel, toys, pet products, and gifts that help customers celebrate both everyday moments and special milestones. As a woman-owned small business, Leah Jean Boutique has built its identity around a ``for moms, by moms'' philosophy rooted in firsthand experience and trust. Brittany and Donna personally select and test the products offered in the store, helping Iowa families navigate an increasingly overwhelming retail environment filled with countless online options and inconsistent reviews. Their emphasis on quality, reliability, and personalized attention has helped establish Leah Jean Boutique as a trusted destination for folks throughout Wright County and the surrounding communities. Beyond its retail offerings, Leah Jean Boutique reflects the strong community-minded spirit that defines Iowa small businesses. Brittany and Donna remain actively involved in local organizations and community initiatives. This includes leadership roles within their Philanthropic Educational Organization, P.E.O., Chapter, participation on the Committee for Golden Apples for Teachers program, Brittany's service as president of the Clarion Development Alliance, and organizing family- oriented community events that support downtown Clarion and surrounding communities. Their continued investment in local engagement demonstrates a commitment not only to entrepreneurship but also to strengthening economic vitality and preserving the sense of community that keeps Iowa's small towns thriving. I am pleased to recognize Brittany and Donna at Leah Jean Boutique for their dedication to Clarion and Wright County. I look forward to their continued success and wish them the very best in the years ahead. ____________________