Welcome to the next episode of SEASON 2 of Behind the Business, our feature from the Concierge CPAs community. This year is especially meaningful for us as we proudly celebrate 15 years of serving our clients—and we couldn’t be more excited to spotlight the people and stories behind the businesses we work with. This series highlights the insight, dedication, and impact our clients bring to their fields, and the journeys that shaped how they got there.

We’re excited to feature Tamar Brecher and Robin McCann, the founders of Luster, a boutique gift shop in Cleveland’s Van Aken District built around making gift-giving easier and more personal. Read on.

What inspired you to start Luster Gifts, and what’s the story behind how the business first came together?


We didn't rush into opening Luster. We spent nearly two years preparing, treating the learning curve as seriously as the business itself. During that time, we took courses through Bad Girl Ventures and sought out mentors for one-on-one conversations along the way.


What inspired us was a simple gap we noticed: working women and mothers needed an easier way to handle all their gift-giving, whether for a friend, a family member, or even a little something for themselves. When it came time to choose a location, Cleveland's Van Aken District felt like the perfect fit. Its unique character reflected the individuality we wanted Luster to embody.

What advice would you give to young women who want to start their own business?


Our advice for young women is to do the homework before you leap, to stay open to evolving when your customers tell you what they need, and to find a partner or support system you trust completely, since building a business is rarely something done alone.


Why do people keep coming back to boutiques like Luster?



People connect with boutiques because the people there actually know them and can help find the right gift, something an algorithm can't do.


Shopping there also feels different, since you find things you won't see everywhere else, and you're supporting a local business instead of just a faceless website.

How do you recharge outside of work?


To recharge and step away from the day-to-day of running the business, we lean on simple rituals: pickleball matches with friends, canasta and mahj nights, long walks with our families and dogs, and regular workouts at the JCC.

Our thanks to Tamar and Robin for sharing their insights.


To learn more, visit https://lustergifts.com/

From the Concierge CPAs Desk

 

We’re not just handling your numbers—we’re also sharing what we’ve learned. Alongside these interviews, we’re posting even more valuable content for our clients: accounting tips, tax know-how, and other interesting business topics—all available on our Instagram, Facebook, and LinkedIn pages.


Explore the posts, swipe through quick lessons, and stay informed to level up your business:

A little prep now can save you a lot of stress later. Make sure your books are clean, your records are accurate, and everything’s ready when it’s time to file.🗂️

📣Before you hire, there are a few things every business owner should know.

Watch our reel to make sure your business is ready the right way.🎥

Who said tax season is the finish line? 😅📊 Here’s what tax season taught us… and what it can teach you too!

💼 What a CPA Brings to the Table: 
More than numbers—strategy, clarity, and peace of mind.

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