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Adopting Child
Inspires Single Mom
to open Children’s
Discount Clothing Boutique

September 13, 2007 (Forest Park, IL) – Life was a daily challenge and waiting game for Forest Park storeowner
Terri Budzyn in the months prior to adopting her baby daughter six years ago. The single mother and software
product manager found comfort during the stressful adoption waiting period by shopping for numerous baby
items, especially clothing, for her much-anticipated child.

“It was a fun way to distract myself,” said Budzyn, who began buying clothes six months before the birth of her
adopted baby in September 2001. “Most mothers have nine months of anticipation with a pretty clear target
date. I had no idea when the call would come saying I was a new mother. Hunting for and buying good deals
helped me get through that stressful time. I kept thinking about what the baby would wear after being born.
Buying the clothes made her feel a bit more real to me.”

The Chicago resident wanted the best for her child, so she learned the ins and outs of buying brand-name
children’s clothing from distributors at discount prices. Budzyn, who holds an MBA, saw an opportunity in
mothers’ need for high-quality, affordable children’s clothes and started selling children’s clothing on e-Bay.
When she lost her job at a software firm in 2002, Budzyn took her e-Bay business full time. She saw an ideal
opportunity to combine her hobby and online retail experience with her desire to help other parents make their
children look sharp without emptying their wallets.

In early 2006, Budzyn opted to open a store in Forest Park and deal directly with her customers. The most
recent location for her Krazy About Kids Outlet store http://www.krazyaboutkids.com (which opened just weeks
ago) is just steps away from historic Madison Avenue in Forest Park. It features dozens of high-end designer
lines such as Charlie Rocket, Wild Mango, and Lipstik – all sold at 20 to 40 percent below retail price. Bigger,
end-of-season discounts are often available on the store’s clearance rack. Budzyn also sells a variety of
discounted children’s books to help keep young minds sharp.

Whether the shopper is a new parent, grandparent or friend of a child, Budzyn will personally explain the
different styles in her 750-square-foot, boutique-style store. Sizes range from newborn to size 16 (about 12
years old) for girls to size 7 (about six years old) for boys. Budzyn can also help determine sizes even if a
shopper visits without the child.

Budzyn explains why her prices are more affordable compared to other children’s boutique stores. “Most stores
will buy the full set of sizes from a wholesaler. Stores and shoppers usually spend a lot more money because of
this. But I buy the overstock products at considerable discount that the larger retail stores never purchased. I
then pass those savings along to my customers.”

Budzyn adds that her shop has more variety than other big clothing stores. “Large stores probably stock large
quantities of one type of outfit,” she said. “But most people are going to buy just one or two outfits. If I can get a
really good deal from the wholesaler, some items might sell for as much as 50 percent off. That makes my
customers happy and keeps them coming back.”

River Forest resident Laura MayChruk often shops at Krazy About Kids Outlet for her four children. “She has
interesting and unusual clothes at good prices,” said MayChruk about Budzyn. “She has a larger selection than
even the big retail stores. I’m also a big believer in supporting local businesses.”

The business also has a personal benefit for Budzyn. “My daughter, who is now six years old, gets to wear the
latest fashions,” said Budzyn. “She’s still my inspiration for finding the deals and keeping this business going.”

The Krazy About Kids Outlet store is the only children’s clothing “boutique-on-a-budget” type store in the area.
It is located at 406 S. Thomas Ave, next to 7422 W. Madison Street. The store is open Tuesday-Friday 9 a.m. to
4 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.