Today we’d like to introduce you to Stephannie Trudeau.
Hi Stephannie, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Tiny Texan Exchange started with a simple idea: kids are expensive.
How can we help local families have everything they need for their little ones at affordable prices? And how can we be part of the community our son, Sterling, will grow up in?
I have always wanted to own my own retail store, and from there the idea began to take shape. We started working on a name and a logo, and that’s when our cute hippo, Sprout, was created. From that point on, everything started to fall into place—from the colors we chose to paint the store, to creating Little Sprouts Grove (our play area), and finding meaningful ways to be part of our community.
Community is one of the most important parts of our store—it’s truly at the heart of everything we want to achieve. We’ve created a space where you can not only shop at affordable prices, but also sit down for a coffee and snack with us, enjoy story times, attend events, and join our Mommy & Me meetups.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Honestly, it’s had its ups and downs. Space has been our biggest challenge—we’ve realized that if we want to continue to grow, we’ll need a bigger space. Along the way, we’ve had a few bumps figuring out what products to carry and how to price items in a way that feels fair for families who are selling and trading with us. But we are learning and growing daily!
While our current location has been great for starting a new business, we’re already excited about what the future holds and the opportunity to grow into something bigger when the time is right. We have so many great ideas we can’t wait to get them all started!
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Tiny Texan Exchange is a family-owned children’s resale thrift store where we buy, sell, and trade gently loved kids’ items. We specialize in affordable, quality pieces ranging from kids’ clothing to maternity wear, along with toys and books. We’re known for being welcoming, affordable, and family-friendly—from the bright yellow and orange walls that make the shop feel cozy and cheerful, to the play area where kids can hang out while parents shop. We’re also known for our story times, Mommy & Me meetups, family events, and the little thoughtful touches that make our store feel like home. What we’re most proud of is the community we’ve built. We have regulars who stop in just to say hi, expecting moms who message us when they go into labor because they know how excited we are for their babies, and kids who don’t want to leave because they’re having so much fun (that’s why we have what we lovingly call “bribery snacks” to help get those kiddos home). What truly sets us apart is our heart and love for people. We focus just as much on relationships as we do on what we sell—I may be terrible at remembering names, but I’ll remember that your kiddo just took their first steps or the little details about your family. My goal is for Tiny Texan Exchange to be part of your family conversations, just like you’ve become part of ours.
So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
What matters most to us is creating something our son can be proud of—seeing his mama and papa work hard to build a business rooted in love, integrity, and community. We want him to grow up watching us pour our hearts into something that helps others, supports local families, and shows him the value of hard work, kindness, and connection.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.tinytexanexchange.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tinytexanexchange/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61576899203004
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/tiny-texan-exchange-hutto
