By Amberly Haas, Founder of The Hummingbird Collective

A Dream Rooted in the Mountains, Fashion, and Finding Yourself

The idea for The Hummingbird Collective began a couple of years ago, long before we opened our doors in downtown Longmont, Colorado.

For as long as I can remember, I’ve had two great loves: the mountains of Colorado and the way fashion can make someone feel. There’s something about Colorado that has always felt like home to me: the mountains, the fresh air, the sense of adventure, and the freedom to simply be yourself.

To me, fashion has never been about following every trend or wearing what someone else says is in style. It’s about how you feel when you put something on.

It’s that moment when you look in the mirror and smile because something just feels right. Maybe it’s a beautiful pair of jeans that fits perfectly, a sweater that makes you feel effortlessly put together, or a statement piece that’s a little outside your comfort zone.

Sometimes the right outfit gives you the confidence to walk into a room. Sometimes it gives you the courage to try something new. And sometimes, it simply reminds you of who you are. I think there’s something really beautiful about that.

Finding Myself in the Middle of Motherhood

I’m also a mom of three young kids. And if you’re a mom, you probably understand how easy it can be to slowly lose little pieces of your own identity while taking care of everyone else.

Motherhood is one of the most rewarding parts of my life, but it’s also busy, messy, exhausting, and all-consuming at times. Somewhere between getting everyone dressed, making meals, keeping schedules organized, and making sure everyone else has what they need, it’s easy to forget to do something just for yourself.

I love being a mom. But I’m also still me. I’m still the woman who loves fashion, who enjoys getting dressed up, who wants to feel beautiful, and who occasionally wants to put on something a little unexpected.

When my husband and I get the opportunity to go out, whether it’s dinner, a special event, or simply an afternoon together, finding the right outfit means something to me. It’s not about impressing anyone. It’s about feeling confident, beautiful, and comfortable in my own skin. It’s about feeling like myself again.

And the more I thought about it, the more I realized how many other women probably feel the same way. We all have different lives, different responsibilities, different bodies, and different ideas of what makes us feel beautiful. But I think we share something important: we all deserve to feel good about ourselves.

Turning One Dream Into Another

When our family finally made the dream of moving to Colorado a reality, something inside me said it was time to pursue another dream. That dream became The Hummingbird Collective.

I didn’t want to open just another clothing store. I wanted to create something that felt personal, thoughtful, and a little different. A place where women could walk through the door without feeling intimidated; a place where you don’t have to know exactly what you’re looking for.

A place where you can say, “I have an event coming up, and I have absolutely no idea what to wear,” or simply, “I want to find something that feels like me.” And we can figure it out together.

I want women to feel just as comfortable coming in to browse and enjoy a cup of coffee as they do coming in with a shopping list. Because to me, the best boutiques aren’t just places where you buy things. They’re places where you feel welcomed, where someone remembers you, and where discovering something new is part of the experience.

Thoughtfully Chosen, Never Just to Fill a Rack

One of the most important parts of creating Hummingbird has been deciding what belongs in our store. Every piece is intentionally selected.

I don’t want to fill racks simply because something happens to be trending. Trends come and go, and while they can certainly be fun, I believe great clothing should offer something more. I look for pieces with personality: clothing that feels special, that offers quality and comfort, and that you’ll be genuinely excited to pull out of your closet.

I also care deeply about what our clothing is made from. Whenever possible, we prioritize natural fibers and thoughtfully chosen materials, working to avoid plastic-based fabrics such as polyester and acrylic. We believe the fabrics touching your skin deserve just as much consideration as the way an outfit looks.

Of course, certain pieces, particularly activewear and stretch denim, may need a little elasticity to provide the fit and function we love. But our goal is always to be intentional about those choices rather than simply accepting whatever is most commonly available.

We want the fabric to complement your skin just as beautifully as the outfit complements your personality. We’re not trying to offer everything to everyone. We’re trying to offer a carefully curated collection of things we genuinely believe in.

A Little Something You Won’t Find Anywhere Else

Individuality is at the heart of The Hummingbird Collective. I love the idea of someone discovering a piece that feels like it was waiting just for them.

That’s why one of my favorite concepts in the store is our collection of unique weekend bags and purses. We purchase just one of each design. Not one in every color. Not a dozen of the same style. Just one.

And we keep these bags exclusively in our physical boutique rather than listing them online. There’s something exciting about that to me.

You might walk in one afternoon and discover a beautiful bag that speaks to you. Maybe it’s something you never would have thought to look for, but the moment you see it, you know. And when you take it home, you know you found something truly special.

I want shopping at Hummingbird to feel like that. Not predictable. Not overwhelming. Just a little bit of discovery every time you visit.

Building Something Bigger Than a Store

One of the things that has made opening Hummingbird so meaningful is the community we’ve found here in Longmont. When we moved to Colorado, we were starting a new chapter in our lives. We were learning a new town, meeting new people, and finding our place.

What we discovered was a community filled with welcoming people, creative individuals, and small business owners who genuinely want to see one another succeed. That spirit is something I want Hummingbird to be part of.

The word Collective in our name means something to us. I don’t want our store to be defined only by the clothing hanging on the racks. I want it to be shaped by the people who walk through our doors, the local artists and makers we collaborate with, and the relationships we build along the way.

We’re excited to bring the work of local creators into the boutique, from artwork and jewelry to leather goods and home accents. I love the thought that someone might come in looking for a sweater and leave having discovered a local artist whose work they absolutely adore.

Or that someone might stop by for a cup of coffee, strike up a conversation, and leave feeling a little more connected to their community. Those moments matter to me. Because the more this dream grows, the more I realize that the most meaningful part isn’t necessarily what we’re selling. It’s the people we’re getting to know.

Your Style. Your Story. Your Confidence.

I know that fashion can sometimes feel intimidating. There are endless trends, opinions, and messages telling women what they should wear, what looks flattering, what’s appropriate for their age, or what their bodies should look like.

I don’t want Hummingbird to be another voice telling you who you should be. I want it to be a place that celebrates who you already are.

Maybe you love timeless, simple pieces. Maybe you’re drawn to bold colors, interesting textures, or something with a little Western flair. Maybe you’re rediscovering your personal style after years of putting everyone else first.

Whatever that looks like, I want to help you find it. I want to know what makes you feel confident. I want to learn what you love, what you’re comfortable in, and what you’ve always wanted to try but haven’t quite had the courage to wear.

And I want you to know that you don’t need a special occasion or a reason to feel beautiful. Sometimes a great outfit is reason enough.

An Open Invitation

When I think about what I hope The Hummingbird Collective becomes in the years ahead, I don’t just picture a successful boutique.

I picture familiar faces walking through the door. I picture women bringing their friends in because they discovered a place they love. I picture conversations over coffee, new friendships, and people supporting local artists and businesses.

I picture a store where every visit feels a little different, where there’s always something new to discover, and where every woman feels welcome exactly as she is. Most importantly, I picture women walking out of Hummingbird feeling just a little more confident than when they walked in.

The Hummingbird Collective isn’t about telling women what they should wear. It’s about helping them discover the things that make them feel a little more like themselves.

This boutique began as a dream, inspired by my love of fashion, the mountains, and the belief that clothing can be so much more than something we put on.

Now that dream has a home in Longmont, Colorado. And I couldn’t be more excited to share it with you.

With love,
Amberly
Founder, The Hummingbird Collective

Come visit us in downtown Longmont, enjoy a cup of coffee, explore our collections, and stay awhile. We can’t wait to welcome you in.