What happens when two moms have all boys and decide to go into business? What is born is a brilliant business idea, where you can shop and socialize with your girlfriends.

Shelley Fontana, 38 and Erica Gold, 35, have been friends since 2001, when their children were in preschool together.

Lamenting the fact that neither of them had baby girls, they were eager to tap into their feminine side; they started Boutique on Feet in 2008.

The business, mainly in south Charlotte, started with purse parties, but the pair recognized the need to expand their product selection to include clothing, jewelry and other accessories.

The boutique is on "feet" because the two travel to your home, set up the merchandise and provide a comfortable environment where friends can shop. They also have an online store (www.boutiqueonfeet.com) and host "virtual shopping parties."

Fontana and Gold wanted to create an environment that was more fun than stressful, with a "girls-night-out" vibe - no children are allowed.

There is no presentation during the party, and hors d'oeuvres are served while guests peruse the products; the selection is always changing.

The events help women form bonds and keep friendships flowing, as was the case with Fontana and Gold's relationship with Amanda Jones, 34.

Jay and Amanda Jones' children - Ian, 6, and Olivia, 31/2 - are friends with Fontana and Gold's boys.

Two years ago on Valentine's Day, Olivia was diagnosed with cystic fibrosis, an incurable disease that affects the lungs and digestive system of about 30,000 people in the U.S.

Olivia spends about two hours every day doing various breathing treatments; she also takes 21-30 pills a day to help her body's digestive system. All of this occurs when she is well, but when she has a cold or sniffles, the regimen becomes more intense.

For May, Boutique on Feet is hosting a fundraiser called "Love for Livi," in which 40 percent of all sales goes to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (www.cff.org) to help find a cure. Gold and Fontana were going to do an open-house fundraiser but decided instead to use their website to host the monthlong event in order to reach more people.

"It shows the love and support of friends, that people are fighting for Livi, too," said Jones.

Read more: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2010/05/19/1435895/this-boutique-travels-and-helps.html#ixzz0oNjsToeU