Meet Kimberly Franke | Case Manager & Entrepreneur

We had the good fortune of connecting with Kimberly Franke and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Kimberly, where are your from? We’d love to hear about how your background has played a role in who you are today?
I grew up in the small town of Stoughton Wisconsin. When I was 14 I started working at a local restaurant/bar that was on the lake where I lived. It was a family owned business and I had the opportunity to learn various jobs in the hospitality business. I loved working and was very proud of the work I did to earn my own money. I saw the hard work put into a family run business and wanted to have my own business of some kind in the future. After graduating from college with a degree in Psychology I began what continues to be 26 + years of working with adults with intellectual & developmental disabilities . I love to keep busy and even with working a full time job in a career I am passionate about I still found opportunities to work retail–either with corporate companies or working for family owned businesses -which to me are the most important businesses to support. My husband and I always discussed what kind of store we would want and with my experience working in home decor it seemed like the best idea. Prior to moving to Katy, Texas in June 2017 we lived in a western suburb of Chicago- Geneva, Illinois. It was there that I worked for family owned businesses and learned a lot that I have brought into our current venture at Painted Tree Boutiques Cinco Ranch. It continues to be a huge learning curve and my husband has been the best support through it all. My ultimate dream is to have my own store and in the meantime I continue to work full time as we are learn the different aspects of what goes into a retail store.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My full time job is a Host Home Care Coordinator for Texana Center-a non profit organization that provides behavioral healthcare and intellectual & developmental disability services to residents in 6 counties in Texas. I have worked there for 6 years and I’m very proud of my job there as we provide such needed to support to those receiving services. My passion has always been working with adults with intellectual & developmental disabilities since graduating with a Psychology degree from University of Wisconsin Whitewater in 1996. My career continues with 26 years experience in this field. It’s not always easy balancing a full time career, family and a part-time business but when you love what you do it makes you want to do it all!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I have been fortunate to now have lived in Texas for 6 years-when a new job for my husband moved us to Katy. There is so much around here to do and see and we try to experience as much as we can. The Rodeo is truly an amazing experience and is a definite to-do. We are so lucky to be surrounded by such popular sports and taking in an Astro’s game is a must. Depending on the season going to a Texans or Rocket’s game is a great experience as well. We have recently taken friends visiting from Wisconsin in January down to Galveston to walk the beach, eat at The Spot and did some shopping on The Strand-with a stop for a sweet treat at La King’s Confectionery. In Katy we are so lucky to have the vast restaurants -you could eat somewhere different every day and still not try them all. Our absolute favorite place to go and take family & friends visiting is to Anthonie’s in Simonton. The atmosphere, food and service is like no other–a definite favorite date place for us! When I have girlfriends visiting we always go to YaYa Club here is Katy. It’s a locally owned women’s boutique that is beautiful, well priced and the staff and owners are amazing-it’s always a fun shopping experience.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My family has been a huge support in the success of our store Kimberly’s Gift Boutique. My husband, Bob, has supported me throughout the process and is my biggest cheerleader when I become discouraged. He helps maintains the books and systems we use for inventory and purchasing and is always willing to give input when I’m deciding what to order. My son, Matthew, is behind the scenes and is the muscle behind taking care of the shipments once delivered since we maintain our office and storage from our home. Growing up my parents always supported my decisions and what I chose to do with my life and I only hope as a parent to our 17 year old I can do the same for him to give him the confidence to go into the world as an adult making the right choices. My extended family has been supportive as well-although they all live out of Texas. They follow our Facebook and Instagram pages and all their support has been amazing. Our local friends, coworkers, and neighbors have helped support Kimberly’s as well by coming to Painted Tree events, making purchases and sharing and supporting our Facebook & Instagram pages as well. I am so fortunate to have so many supportive people throughout this venture.

Instagram: kimberlysgiftboutique

Facebook: Kimberly’s Gift Boutique