Claudia Fuse on Bringing Her Boutique Vision to Life With ‘Dose of Heaven’
Claudia Fuse on Bringing Her Boutique Vision to Life With ‘Dose of Heaven’
By MacKenna Sherer — October 1, 2025
What started as a love for fashion and the freedom to manage her own schedule became a career-deciding moment for 24-year-old Claudia Fuse to launch her own boutique. Dose of Heaven emerged from the desire to create more than just a timeless, classic clothing brand, but to also establish a community rooted in personal connection.
@shopdoseofheaven on Instagram
Fuse grew up in St. Louis, Missouri, immersed in her parents’ entrepreneurial spirit as owners of a restaurant and two gelato shops in her neighborhood. Her passion for business led her to Florida Gulf Coast University; however, an internship junior year of college solidified her distaste for a traditional 9-to-5 job. Fuse was set on pursuing a career beyond the office cubicle, as she always admired the flexible lifestyle that came with being a business owner.
A family vacation to Hawaii and a conversation with her dad changed the game.
“I told him I wanted to open my own boutique,” Fuse said. “And he told me, ‘Now is the time. Go for it.’”
The idea took root on the beach as she brainstormed the boutique’s name with fashion-forward friend Grace Genzer. She spent her flight home researching and refining ideas, and by July 2023, Fuse had brought the website to life. With the help of Genzer and the continual support of her parents and friends, she successfully launched Dose of Heaven in just under a month, officially opening in August 2023.
Dose of Heaven began operations from Fuse’s senior-year apartment: everything from packaging to shipping took place from her very own bedroom. She recruited her Zeta Tau Alpha sisters and Genzer to shoot content for clothing launches, website thumbnails, and social media posts. Fuse said that her time as a sorority member and student at Florida Gulf Coast University is reflected in the pieces she selected for launches, catering towards the going-out style of young college adults.
@shopdoseofheaven on Instagram
After graduating, Fuse chose to move her boutique and life back to St. Louis.
“Towards the end I was ready to grow [the boutique], but I also was ready to change,” said Fuse. “It just pushed me to want to go home after graduation.”
She packed up Dose of Heaven and the rest of her Florida life with the vision to manage her boutique as a full-time owner back in Missouri.
@shopdoseofheaven on Instagram
From the beginning, the vision was to sell versatile, classic pieces that felt elevated yet wearable every day. She highlights the importance of embracing timeless fashion and seeking to preserve authenticity in clothing options that her customers will continue to wear beyond fleeting trends.
“There are many brands focused on fancy outfits,” Fuse said. “I wanted it to be something you could wear 24/7, anywhere. They are classic and timeless.”
Today, her customer base has grown with the changes in her life, shifting from college nightlife staples to mature pieces for graduates and young professionals.
@shopdoseofheaven on Instagram
In every hand-packaged order, Fuse’s personal touch reaches the buyer. Her passion for her business is reflected in hand-designed tags and custom, carefully packaged clothing, as she takes pride in ensuring a lasting impression. She emphasizes the importance of not just delivering the quality of a purchase, but also connecting with customers in a meaningful way. Every detail of her business echoes Fuse’s mission to create a community grounded in fashion connectivity.
@shopdoseofheaven on Instagram
However, running the boutique hasn’t been without its challenges, from competing with fast-fashion retailers to single-handedly balancing every role in the boutique.
Still, she embraces her ability to do it all.
“You really have to take it day by day and know that all the hard work will pay off. Every drop, Instagram post, or TikTok takes me closer and closer to where I want to be each day,” said Fuse.
With strong support from her community, family, and friends, she continues to build Dose of Heaven, aiming to move her operations from her home to a warehouse. Fuse hopes to one day own a brick-and-mortar space where customers can experience “their daily dose of heaven” in person, allowing Fuse to share her love of fashion with the community through her boutique.
Keep up with recent launches, behind the scenes, and Claudia Fuse on the Dose of Heaven Instagram. Check out the official online store at www.doseofheaven.com to explore the latest collections and shop new pieces.
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