Success in the small business world often depends on originality in the marketplace, or finding a need and filling a specific gap. On September 1, 2009, Shaunacy King did just that when she and her husband opened Glow Maternity, which is now located in The Loft at 188 Hunter St. under the big red awning.

Before opening their business, originally on George St, Shaunacy realized that there was a need in Peterborough for a maternity specific boutique and prenatal studio. So they put her idea to work and created what is now the only maternity and baby specific studio/boutique in the city.

While other stores might focus solely on retail and sales for the journey into parenthood, Glow Maternity offers an all-encompassing experience with classes, workshops and programs that take parents from pregnancy through the birthing process and into raising their newborns. The cornerstone of Glow these past four years has been its motto and like-named prenatal course: BELLY, BIRTH AND BEYOND!

What separates Glow from other maternity stores is the studio space where they teach various classes and workshops with friendly, knowledgeable, qualified instructors. With courses and workshops focusing on both pre- and post-natal, the studio space is always busy! The Bellies, Birth and Beyond course is one of the area's most popular for soon-to-be parents, and their pre- and post-natal Yoga courses are also a big hit for the bonding and fitness aspect that it provides!

The retail boutique side of Glow Maternity, which now focuses on essentials and locally made items, covers a wide array of product options. Gently used maternity apparel under $20, muslin blankets, custom bedding, cloth diapers, nursing products and locally made carriers are a just a few of the many items available in their studio boutique. While they do sell mainstream brands, Glow has always placed an emphasis on Canadian and locally made goods produced by many people in and around our community. If the situation is right, they are happy to sell for other local entrepreneurs who don’t have the opportunity to sell out of their own stores!

An appealing aspect about the owner of this maternity business is that Shaunacy is also a mother of two and a Labour Doula who offers Birth Services to clients outside and within the actual shop! The passion that she has for helping parents during all stages of their parenting journey can be felt from the minute you walk into her visually appealing new space on Hunter St.

Being located in the tightknit small business community on Hunter St. has allowed Shaunacy to experience the amazing everyday feel of downtown Peterborough. She loves the sense of pride that the owners around her have for their businesses and appreciates the sense of loyalty they show to each other and to the customers she happily meets. It is because of all this that Glow Maternity takes part in a 3 for 1 Cloth Diaper Program which donates 1 cloth diaper for every 3 sold to families who desire them but can’t essentially afford them.