This month, Eterno Realty Group is excited to share our local business spotlight, Epiphany!
Epiphany isn’t just a women’s lifestyle boutique—it’s a community rooted in faith, purpose, and generosity. Current owner Charlsie Butler, Epiphany has two storefronts in Athens and Monroe, offering apparel, accessories, gifts, and home goods while encouraging women to live fully in who God created them to be. With a mission to give back and build meaningful connections, Epiphany is more than a store—it’s a movement of beauty, identity, and faith. 💛 Let’s get into what Charlsie shared with us!
Tell us a little bit about yourself!
My name is Charlsie Butler, and I grew up in the small town of Kite, Georgia. I met my husband, Ben, at the University of Georgia in 2009, just as he decided to pursue a career in medicine. We have been married for 11 years and have three wild and wonderful children. We enjoy adventures in the great outdoors and love watching Georgia football with family and friends. In every season and city in which we have lived, we have prioritized involvement in our church communities and neighborhoods. More than anything this world has to offer, we love Jesus, and we have always loved Athens! While we had to move multiple times for Ben’s training, we hoped and prayed that the Lord would one day take us back. Since we attended college in Athens, it has been the desire of our hearts to see the people of Athens, both the natives and transient students, come to the full knowledge of who they are in Christ and walk in the purposes for which they were created.
Tell us about your business!
Epiphany is a locally owned women’s lifestyle boutique with an online presence and two brick-and-mortar locations on downtown main streets in Athens and Monroe, Georgia. We sell apparel, accessories, gifts and home goods, but we are so much more than that! We are committed to encouraging women to live in the fullness of who God created them to be, building a healthy community of believers, and giving generously to local and global organizations that address the needs of ‘the least of these’ (Matthew 25:40). We believe God created women with unique purpose and passion, and when they live out of that identity, they are the most beautiful version of themselves. The greatest ‘epiphany’ we can have is the realization that neither our goodness nor our brokenness is significant in comparison to how Christ sees us: He decides I'm beautiful!
How long have you been in business?
Epiphany was established in 2014 by Dara Buczynsky who had a love for all things beautiful and an inspiring heart for missions. Ben and I purchased the business in October 2024, just after the celebration of its 10 year anniversary.
Why did you start your business?
Retail is an occupation that I was made for, and Athens is a city that God has etched deeply into my heart. My love for retail began when I was 16-years-old in a bridal shop in Dublin, Georgia, and that love really grew after college when I worked as a manager and buyer for a women’s formalwear boutique in Athens. It was in this season that I first began to dream about owning and operating a women’s boutique of my own in downtown Athens. After years of working in various forms of retail, Ben and I started a family, and I prioritized being home to raise our young children. In the midst of motherhood, the Lord began reigniting my passion for retail, while also growing our vision for Kingdom impact in the Athens area. When I walked into Epiphany as a customer for the first time, I was blown away by how much it mirrored the hopes and dreams that had stirred in me in years prior. I knew that I was in no place to start a retail business from scratch, especially considering Ben’s work schedule and caring for young children, but was filled with hope and excitement when I learned that the owner of Epiphany was retiring and that my favorite retail business was for sale. The opportunity to own and operate Epiphany marries my passion for retail and ministry and is truly something only the Lord could orchestrate.
What’s one thing about your business you’re especially proud of?
There’s so much I feel proud of. Hands down, I have the BEST team! I’m very proud of the way we prioritize community engagement and generosity. Moreso, I feel very thankful for the Lord’s presence in all that we do. If our work doesn’t honor Him, it’s in vain. When people say our business is different, I truly believe it’s because we ask the Lord to inhabit our space and our work daily.
What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned in running your business?
A healthy business is built on healthy culture, of which communication is the foundation. I desire Epiphany to be a place where my team knows that I am for them both at work and in life. I do my best to make space and time to hear from them and support them in whatever ways they need me to.
If you could describe your business in one word, what would it be and why?
Purposeful. Our goal is that is every customer and our community feel seen by our team, and seen by their Creator. Whether we do that through a conversation or simply by helping them find an outfit in which they feel beautiful, we do it all with purpose.
What future goals or dreams do you have for your business?
I want Epiphany to be a place widely known for exceptional customer service and radical generosity! I would also love to grow our online business (find us on Instagram @epiphanyathens and epiphany-athens-myshopify.com). There is so much online potential and I’d really love to see us capitalize on the opportunity to reach people in that capacity.
What is the greatest piece of advice you've ever received?
Growing up, my dad often said “It’s nice to be important, but it’s more important to be nice.” It’s a simple statement, maybe even a bit cliché, but it carries weight with me because I watched him live this out in inspiring ways. He cared less about what people thought of him and more about how he could positively impact those around him. He was an excellent example of humility and putting the needs of others before his own. He died 10 years ago and people still talk about this aspect of his character and how his kindness positively impacted their lives. I strive to continue his legacy of humility and kindness, not so that others would notice me, but so that others may be blessed by simple acts of kindness and generosity.
At Eterno Realty Group, we practice gratitude daily, believing in the power of joy and celebration in all circumstances. What is something you’re especially grateful for right now, whether in business or life?
Community. The phrase “it takes a village” is much more than a cliché. Anyone who has ever been a business owner while raising a family can attest to that. We truly have been blessed with wonderful family and great friends who love our family through all of the ups and downs.
It’s been a pleasure to share Epiphany’s story!
Like Epiphany’s page and give them a follow to support their journey! Let’s show Epiphany some love!
Do you know another incredible small business that deserves to be in the spotlight? Email us at: info@eternorealty.com We’d love to celebrate their hard work and share their story with our community.
