Today we’d like to introduce you to Niki Henzel.
Hi Niki, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
Kehlective was born out of both loss and rediscovery. After being laid off from my corporate recruiting job, I felt completely untethered. I didn’t know what was next—until I took a step back and asked myself what had always brought me back to life. The answer was simple: building community through style. Fashion has always been more than just clothes for me—it’s been a way to connect with others, to share inspiration, and to create spaces where women feel seen and confident in who they are.
That realization sparked what would become Kehlective—a modern women’s boutique built around connection, community, and effortless style. The name itself is a blend of kehilla (Hebrew for “community”) and collective, because I wanted it to reflect what I believe fashion should be: a shared experience, not a solo one.
I started small— curating pieces that I felt had an East Coast vibe and effortless ease. My goal was to bring a fresh, city-forward aesthetic to the Southern market, but in a way that felt approachable and authentic. Kehlective began as a pop-up model—bringing curated, wearable luxury pieces to places where women already gather. We’re excited to call The Design House our current home.
At its heart, Kehlective is about restoration and self-expression. I built Kehlective to serve women who, like me, are balancing full, busy lives but still want to feel confident, inspired, and connected through what they wear. Every event, every styling session, every customer conversation is about more than clothes—it’s about creating community and helping women reconnect with themselves.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It’s been both smooth and stretching in the best ways. Finding a space, for example, came together so naturally. Dawn Heuer from The Design House offered me a place to call Kehlective home. It was such a powerful reminder of what women supporting women can look like in real life.
But like many small business owners in the retail and fashion world, there have definitely been challenges along the way. The boutique space moves fast, and it takes intention to balance everything—from sourcing the right inventory mix to managing budgets and maintaining a consistent brand voice. Social media has also been a learning curve. It’s such a powerful tool for connection, but standing out in a crowded space while running the day-to-day can feel like its own full-time job.
Still, every challenge has pushed me to get sharper and more creative. Kehlective is built on connection, and even on the hardest days, that purpose keeps me grounded. Every woman who walks in and says, “This feels like me,” reminds me that it’s all worth it.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Kehlective?
Kehlective is a contemporary women’s boutique built on connection, confidence, and community. We curate elevated, East Coast-inspired pieces that blend modern minimalism with the warmth and ease of Southern style. Our curated collection focuses on wearable luxury — pieces that feel effortless, feminine, and versatile for women who lead full, busy, and beautifully dynamic lives.
What truly sets Kehlective apart is our approach to shopping — it’s elevated, but effortless. Every piece is thoughtfully curated to help women build a wardrobe that feels both stylish and wearable, with quality basics and statement pieces that transition from day to night with ease. Shopping at Kehlective is meant to feel personal and inspiring — like browsing your most fashionable friend’s closet. Whether you’re attending an event, getting styled in-store, or discovering new arrivals, it’s about finding pieces that make you feel confident, current, and completely yourself.
I’m incredibly proud to be a woman-owned business surrounded by other strong female entrepreneurs. Kehlective has become part of a network of women supporting women, and one of my favorite parts of this journey is being able to feature local and women-owned brands in the store. It’s such a privilege to use my space to spotlight other creatives and small business owners who are pouring their hearts into what they do.
At its core, Kehlective is about more than clothes — it’s about community, confidence, and self-expression. My goal is for every woman who walks through the door to leave feeling a little more like herself.
Let’s talk about our city – what do you love? What do you not love?
What I love most about being in Inman Park is the sense of community and creativity that surrounds us. It’s such a vibrant neighborhood, full of energy, style, and authenticity. I especially love that so many of the businesses around The Kehlective are female-owned — there’s this incredible spirit of collaboration and support here. Whether it’s sharing advice, popping in to cheer each other on, or partnering on events, it truly feels like a community of women lifting each other up.
If I had to pick something I like least, it’s probably that Atlanta traffic can make it tricky for people to explore all the amazing small businesses our city has to offer. There’s so much creativity here — I just wish it were a little easier for everyone to get out and experience it all!
Pricing:
- $40-$280 retail
Contact Info:
- Website: https://kehlective.myshopify.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shopkehlective/
