Terminally Unique Boutique

Terminally Unique Boutique was founded in 2014 by husband and wife team Ben and Ragan McManus and is located in Harrisonburg, Virginia. After losing her job due to issues associated with her disabilities, Ragan, who has been a life-long artist, decided to create an online e-commerce store where she could collaborate with others selling jewelry, drawings, paintings, and one-of-a-kind works that evoke love and inspiration. Some of the items are directly influenced by 12-step recovery programs. Ben is the operational genius, devoting much of his time outside of his “job-job” to the development of the website and storefront.

Dedicated to striking awareness about hidden disabilities, such as mental illness, alcoholism, and substance abuse, the artisans that showcase their works on Terminally Unique Boutique, are dual-diagnosed with these afflictions, or are family and friends of those affected. Terminally Unique Boutique is a place where creative individuals can share their love, hope, and inspiration with others. With the exception of prints and apparel, each piece sold through Terminally Unique Boutique is a hand-made original. Our artists even design the prints and t-shirts from their own original drawings.

“Terminally Unique” is terminology used in 12-step programs. The phrase is typically heard, “it took me a long time to realize that I was not ‘terminally unique’." It is a way of recognizing that there is nothing particularly special about us, that we are just like other people. In this case, because each work of art is unique, we felt that the name was a fun way of referencing our recovery programs while pointing to the authenticity of each piece we produce.

Our artisans are in recovery programs that have saved their lives. We are all sober, living relatively “normal,” -- whatever that means! -- healthy lives. We simply recognize that our recovery comes before anything else, and as such, participation in Terminally Unique Boutique enables us to lead creative, productive lives.

During select months 10% of our proceeds support national and local non-profit organizations that provide recovery services to alcoholics, addicts, or those suffering from mental illness. Some of these organizations include the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence (NCADD), and local community service boards that help disabled individuals in their recovery.