Mom of the Month: Andee Carr, Owner of the Purple Hippopotamus
We’re delighted to introduce our July Mom of the Month, Andee Carr, mother of five, former teacher, and the passionate owner of The Purple Hippopotamus in Downtown Lee’s Summit. Andee’s journey is rooted in education, family, and a decades-old dream that came full circle. After raising her children and nurturing a love for childhood development and creativity, Andee launched her business to serve families in a meaningful, community-centered way.
Tell us a little about yourself and your family.
I’m 56 years old and earned my degree in Elementary Education from William Jewell College, where I also met my husband—we’ve been married for 35 years. He’s an attorney here in Kansas City, and together we’ve raised five amazing kids (plus one son-in-law). Our oldest daughter, Taylor, and her husband Bryan live in KC. She practices law and shares an office with my husband, while Bryan runs The Fern Bar in the Crossroads. Lauren, our 29-year-old, is finishing her degree in Public Relations and manages The Purple Hippopotamus alongside me—I couldn’t do this without her! Emma is an occupational therapist in Dallas, Cooper is an audio engineer in Nashville (getting married this fall!), and our youngest, Derebe, is heading off to college this year on a Cross Country/Track scholarship.
What inspired you to start your business?
When I was a teenager, I worked at a children’s boutique called Calico Kids, owned by my best friend’s mom. She mentored me and even took me to market with her. Ever since then, I dreamed of owning a store just for children—back in the '80s, I imagined an entire strip mall dedicated to kids! After teaching 5th grade for four years, I stepped away to raise my family. But a couple of years ago, I started wondering what my next chapter might look like, and that old dream resurfaced. My husband was just as excited as I was, and when the perfect spot opened up in Downtown Lee’s Summit, we knew it was meant to be.
What does a typical day look like for you as a mom and business owner?
My day usually starts by making sure my youngest is out the door for school, then I head to the shop. I’m lucky to work alongside my daughter, Lauren—we begin each day reviewing our to-do list and preparing the store for our customers and upcoming classes.
We especially love the days when story times and classes are buzzing with little ones. The sounds of kids laughing and playing truly bring the shop to life. It’s a beautiful mix of creativity, connection, and community.
What’s been the most rewarding part of running your business?
The connections. Without a doubt, the most meaningful part has been building relationships—with customers, with other families, and within our community. Our Hippo Hub (a space in the middle of the store) hosts everything from baby showers to classes and parent meetups. Watching families engage, kids make friends, and parents find their village—it’s everything I hoped for.
What challenges have you faced balancing motherhood and entrepreneurship?
One of the hardest adjustments has been getting used to working outside the home again. I still talk to my kids constantly, but I wrestled with a bit of guilt—not being as available as I once was. The truth is, they’re all incredibly supportive and proud of this new chapter, and that’s helped me rewrite the story I was telling myself.
Another challenge? Turning off “work mode.” Learning to be fully present—whether I’m in the store or at home—has taken practice and discipline. But I’m having the time of my life with this business, and my husband’s constant encouragement makes it even sweeter.
What advice would you give to other moms thinking about starting a business?
Timing is everything—and it looks different for everyone. I think our culture often tells women we can do and have it all, but that can be misleading. You need a strong support system and community around you. Seek advice from others who’ve walked this path—mentors have been invaluable to me. And remember: you don’t have to do it all alone.
How do you and your family like to spend time together when you're not working?
We love gathering around the table. My husband’s an amazing cook, and there’s nothing better than a home-cooked meal with all the kids around. We also love spending time at Table Rock Lake—boating, relaxing, and just being together. Whether it’s at home or on the water, our favorite moments are the ones we share as a family.
Follow Andee’s journey and learn more about her business:
💼 the Purple Hippopotamus
📍 Location: 215 SE Main Street, Lee's Summit, MO. 64063
🌐 Website: https://purplehippopotamus.myshopify.com/
📧 Contact: owner.purplehippo@gmail.com
📸 Instagram: @thepurplehippopotamus_
📘 Facebook: @shoppurplehippo
Andee, thank you for your heart, your creativity, and your passion for building something that brings families together. You’re an inspiration to moms at every stage of the journey!
👉 Know a mom who deserves the spotlight (including yourself)? Nominate her for our next feature by emailing brittanym@macaronikid.com or by filling out this form!
