mom about town
JESSICA MACALUSO O’CONNOR
Occupation : Owner of Shop Dolce Boutique Husband: Matthew O’Connor Children: Mckenzie, 7, and Grayson, 6 Hobbies: Taking bike rides, going out to dinner, and hosting parties.
BY MADELINE PISTORIUS
14 DECEMBER 2025 | NOLAFAMILY.COM passion and love for making people feel good about themselves. I found my niche in more of an affordable fashion way—a make you look a million bucks, but not going to cost you a million bucks kind of J essica Macaluso O’Connor is the heart behind Shop Dolce Boutique, where attainable style and everyday confidence go hand in hand. A wife, mother of two, and lover of all things fun and community-centered, she believes life’s too short to not do amazing things. Whether she’s greeting beloved customers, hosting friends, hitting an early-morning workout, or spending time with her little ones, Jessica brings joy, authenticity, and grace wherever she goes. Her mantra? Look good, feel good, and love the life you’re in. What led you to opening your own boutique? JESSICA: I grew up working for a boutique both here in Metairie and then in Baton Rouge, and I really grew my
make a point to do yearly, to take time out of work and whatnot to just make memories together. A skill that you’re proud of having? JESSICA: A skill you develop over time as a mother is being able to multitask between being a mom, being a wife, being a daughter, being a business owner, and just being able to wear so many hats and changing them all day long. I think that alone is something to be said for. What fills your cup when it’s running low? JESSICA: Honestly, being with my other mom friends, or chatting with other mom- business owners because it’s people I can relate to, lean on when I need a little oomph, and bounce ideas off of. We’re able to chitchat about what’s going on because we are in similar points of life. It makes me remember everyone’s in this
thing. But really, just honing in on making people feel good about themselves. What’s a piece of advice for other moms who want to start a business? JESSICA: I think for a mom who is going to open their own business, they really should stick to their why they want to do it and give it their all, 100 percent, because later, it’ll come back to them as a way of having more freedom to spend time with their families, and then they are able to be a mom and a businesswoman. Favorite mom moment of this year? JESSICA: My husband and I took the kids to New York a couple months ago. I felt like it was just a special time for us because most travel [we do] is traveling for work or just running here and there with other families. It was something good for us and something that we’ll now
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