At the heart of North Hills, where Raleigh’s charm meets chic sophistication, Kayla Brewer is curating more than just fashion—she’s cultivating confidence. As the founder of Voda Boutique, Kayla is transforming the way women shop, dress, and feel, one timeless piece at a time. On this week’s episode of The Best of Raleigh Podcast, Kayla shares her journey from a small-town girl with a love for Glamour Magazine to a business owner helping shape Raleigh’s retail identity.

From Star to Style Maven

Born in the tiny town of Star, North Carolina, Kayla’s fascination with fashion started early. Long before Pinterest and Instagram, it was the glossy pages of her mom’s Glamour magazine that captured her imagination. After setting her sights on NC State’s College of Textiles, Kayla made her way to Raleigh—where she blended raw ambition with relentless resourcefulness to land her dream program. Her early retail experiences, including a formative role at Scout & Molly’s, sparked a vision: one day, she’d open her own store.

Her path wasn’t without detours. From working in product development at Belk to managing a boutique in Charlotte, Kayla embraced every role as a lesson. Eventually, with a blend of passion and fearlessness, she returned to Raleigh and opened Voda Boutique in 2017.

Voda Boutique: A Coastal-Inspired Vision

“Voda” means water in several languages—and that serene, euphoric vibe is exactly what Kayla wanted to infuse into the shopping experience. What began as a small space in downtown Raleigh found its stride in 2019 with a move to North Hills. The location brought more than foot traffic—it brought clarity to Voda’s identity.

Inside the boutique, coastal elements, warm lighting, and curated music create a relaxed yet elevated vibe. The team’s top priority? Customer service that feels like a warm welcome, not a sales pitch. Whether you’re 18 or 80, Kayla wants every shopper to feel like Voda was designed just for them.

A Boutique for Every Generation

While Voda originally gained popularity among younger shoppers, Kayla has intentionally evolved the brand to reflect her own growth—and that of her clientele. Today, the boutique draws a wide range of women, from college students to professionals and stylish moms. The fashion is curated with versatility in mind: think breezy dresses with polish, blouses with personality, and pieces that pair effortlessly with your lifestyle.

Brands like Free People, Show Me Your Mumu, Pistola, and Cleobella offer style without sacrificing substance. And as Kayla says, “Our 90-year-old grandma can leave here with a full outfit—and love it.”

Building Beyond the Boutique

The pandemic tested every small business owner, and Voda was no exception. But Kayla met the moment with creativity, pivoting to Instagram selling that outperformed previous in-store sales. That success has sparked a new frontier: live selling and digital styling content. With plans to go live on Instagram soon—and dreams of launching a Chapel Hill location—Kayla is just getting started.

Voda isn’t just a boutique. It’s a brand built on authenticity, evolution, and a refusal to settle for “just trendy.” For Kayla, it’s about styling people for real life—confidence included.

Visit Voda

Whether you’re a fashion-forward teen or a working mom seeking elevated basics, Voda Boutique has something for you. Visit them in North Hills’ Lassiter Mill District, next to Vibachi, or shop online at shopvoda.com. And don’t forget to follow @vodaboutique on Instagram to catch their latest drops and upcoming live sessions.

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At The Coley Group, we’re all about showing Raleigh’s best—and Kayla Brewer is living proof that style and soul can share the spotlight.

Want more local stories like this?

Tune into The Best of Raleigh Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or YouTube. Each week, we sit down with the people who are shaping Raleigh’s culture, community, and creativity. Whether you’re a longtime local or new to the Triangle, it’s your front-row seat to the city’s most inspiring voices.