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A former design executive turned entrepreneur, Karen Kops opened Germantown’s Poppy & Monroe in 2015, driven by her passion for natural beauty. There, she created a haven for clean, non-toxic nail services, hair removal, skincare, lashes, and makeup. Then, in early 2024, Karen opened Neighborlily, a charming floral-infused shop and café already beloved by locals and tourists alike, where you can grab coffee, fresh flowers, gifts, home decor, and more. Get to know the woman making Germantown brighter!
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What led you to natural beauty and opening Poppy & Monroe?
After spending 15 years as a textile designer and creative director in NYC and Chicago, I decided to pivot away from the corporate world and pursue my passion for natural beauty. Originally hailing from Nashville, I found solace in simple pleasures like getting my nails done and relishing those moments of self-care, especially after becoming a parent.
When a nearby nail salon closed its doors, I saw an opportunity to fill a gap in the market by offering a space that prioritized quality and cleanliness. Thus, Poppy & Monroe was born in 2015, right as the clean beauty movement was beginning to gain traction. I’ve always been drawn to more natural products, and it’s been incredibly rewarding to witness the increased accessibility of such options over the years.
PinWhat initially drew you to Germantown, and who are a few of your favorite go-to retail and restaurant neighbors?
Germantown’s allure lies in its ideal blend of accessibility and charm. Nestled between Downtown, East, and West, it offers a perfect midpoint for connecting with friends from various parts of the city. The neighborhood’s architecture and walkability also captured my heart, making it an obvious choice for Poppy & Monroe’s home.
Our neighbors here are truly fantastic, fostering a sense of community that enriches both residents and businesses alike. As for favorite spots, I adore Little Hats, Spread Market, The Golden Slipper, The Cupcake Collection, and City House for their unique offerings and welcoming atmospheres.
What led from Poppy & Monroe to your newest spot, Neighborlily?
I always love to keep learning. When I opened Poppy & Monroe, I went to nail school to obtain my manicurist license to learn how to best support my staff, and I really enjoyed that experience. After owning Poppy & Monroe for eight years, I was ready to add a new challenge to my bucket list. I’ve always been a huge fan of flowers, as they allow me to tap into my creative side; being a designer for many years, who doesn’t love coffee, tea, and pretty things?
Neighborlily was born from a desire to combine my design background with my appreciation for beauty, community, and great food and drinks. When my sweet neighbors offered to let me buy their home so they could move to the country, I jumped at the opportunity and spent the next two-and-a-half years renovating it to create Neighborlily.
During the renovation, I was able to work at a coffee shop and a flower wholesaler and attend flower school — all giving me more appreciation for the craft of floral design and coffee.
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We love that we can go to Neighborlily for everything from a quick coffee to gifts and fresh flowers. What are some of the current items we should keep an eye out for?
We just launched our summer menu, which includes some amazing items, such as cold brew gelato floats featuring delicious gelato from Nashville’s own Bravo gelato and cold brew from Eighth & Roast. We love collaborating and really love when it turns out to be both beautiful and delicious. In our gift shop, we just launched a custom diffuser with our friends at The Golden Slipper in the signature Neighborlily scent of bamboo, black violet, toka oud, and grass. My favorite feature of this item is that instead of standard diffuser reeds, we use dried flowers so it’s both attractive and functional while sitting on your countertop.
What do you wish more people knew about wellness?
It’s imperative that you do your own research. There is a lot of “greenwashing” out there now that it’s become such a profitable business. The good news is that there are so many resources out there and lots of apps to help you decipher ingredient labels right in the store aisle. Some of these include:
1. Think Dirty: This app allows you to scan product barcodes or search for specific products to get detailed information about the ingredients, their potential health impacts, and cleaner alternatives.
2. EWG Healthy Living: Created by the Environmental Working Group (EWG), this app provides ratings and detailed information about ingredients in personal care products. It also offers tips for making healthier choices.
3. CosmEthics: This app offers ingredient analysis, product ratings, and personalized recommendations based on your individual preferences and concerns.
4. GoodGuide: GoodGuide provides ratings and detailed information on a wide range of consumer products, including beauty and personal care items. It evaluates products based on health, environmental, and social factors.
5. Skin Deep: Also created by EWG, Skin Deep offers comprehensive information on ingredients in personal care products, along with safety ratings and recommendations for safer alternatives.
PinAs we move into summer, are there any tips you can give us on keeping our nails healthy and looking great?
My biggest tip is to use nail oil religiously. This keeps your nails healthy and moisturized and reduces peeling. To keep polish from fading, watch out for hand sanitizers and sunscreen, as those are both big culprits.
How do you practice self-care?
Ha! I’m running two businesses now, so I’m not doing as much self-care these days as I should be, but two things that always get me back in balance are walking in Shelby Park and taking a restorative yoga class at Hola Yoga.
What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
“Listen twice as much as you speak; you’ll learn twice as fast and make half as many mistakes.”
Excluding faith, family, and friends, what three things can’t you live without?
Spring flowers, yoga, and traveling to distant places where there is preferably no Wi-Fi.
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LIGHTNING ROUND
Favorite hidden gem in Nashville? The day pass at Southall
Favorite recent book or podcast? Jillian on Love podcast
What’s one item you’ll never take out of your purse? Kari Gran Lip Whip
What’s the most memorable recent meal you had, and where were you? Iggy’s Garlic Bread (at Iggy’s)
If you could only wear one nail polish color for the rest of your life, what would it be? Forsythia from our Poppy & Monroe polish line. It’s a highlighter yellow neon and it makes me very happy.
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Southern women are nothing short of inspiring. Meet more of them over at ourFACES archives!
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About the AuthorJenna Bratcher
Jenna Bratcher is StyleBlueprint Nashville’s Associate Editor and Lead Writer. The East Coast native moved to Nashville 16 years ago, by way of Los Angeles. She is a lover of dogs, strong coffee, traveling, and exploring the local restaurant scene bite by bite.
