Today we’d like to introduce you to Brianna McGaughy.
Hi Brianna, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I grew up in a small town in Mississippi, where hard work and creativity were part of everyday life. My dad instilled a strong work ethic, while my mom, an artist, immersed my brother and me in creative projects and travel at an early age. Those experiences shaped not only my curiosity about people, places, and culture, but also the discipline and adaptability that would later define my career.
I began my professional journey in retail leadership, building my foundation through merchandising and management roles across the Southeast. From early leadership challenges at JCPenney to boutique management with LOFT, and dipping my toe in Fashion Luxury with Kate Spade, I learned how to lead teams, earn trust, and grow businesses in fast-changing environments. Moving first to Florida and eventually to Dallas expanded both my perspective and my skill set, allowing me to blend structure with creativity in new ways.
Today, I serve as the Director of Merchandising and Store Leader for Frances Valentine in Dallas, a role that feels like the culmination of every step along the way. I get to curate a beautifully crafted, joy-filled boutique where fashion, art, and community intersect. Every chapter of my journey, from small-town beginnings to colorful retail spaces, has led me here, and I couldn’t be more grateful.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Retail is certainly not a cookie-cutter, “same role every day” kind of career. There is never enough time in the day. Balancing leadership expectations, completing your own responsibilities, motivating people with different personalities to complete theirs, and supporting clients both in person and over the phone all while maintaining a positive attitude can be genuinely challenging.
It takes a special personality and skill set to earn the trust and buy-in of both clients and employees. There are moments when you feel overwhelmed, short-tempered, and aware that not everything will get done perfectly. Through those moments, I have learned that kindness, humility, and a willingness to learn from challenges have made me a stronger leader.
Over the years, I have worked for managers who believed success came from using or stepping on others. Those experiences often hindered my performance rather than helped it. In contrast, the “people leaders” I was fortunate enough to work with had a profound impact on my growth. They showed me that leadership is not about control, but about trust, encouragement, and belief in others.
In an industry built around helping women feel confident and beautiful, my purpose is simple: to lead with kindness, create joy in the work, and help people believe in themselves every single day.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Retail requires a vast and dynamic skill set, but if I had to define my strengths, my top three would be leadership, styling, and merchandising. I am fortunate to use all of these every day in my role as Director of Merchandising and Store Manager for Frances Valentine in Dallas, Texas.
Frances Valentine celebrates personal style through mood-boosting clothing and accessories designed to transcend trends and make fashion fun. Inspired by vintage prints and silhouettes, the brand is rooted in joy, creativity, and kindness values that deeply resonate with me.
Like so many in retail, my career took an unexpected turn during the pandemic. I lost my job and found myself reflecting on what was next and what my dream role might look like. While I considered starting my own business, the uncertainty of self-employment felt daunting. During that time, I kept thinking back to my experience at Kate Spade and learning about the founders’ next chapter, Frances Valentine. I was drawn to the whimsical, colorful world they created, their love of vintage and sustainability, and, most importantly, their commitment to kindness and hiring kind people.
I knew they had opened a boutique in Houston and hoped one day they might come to Dallas. On a leap of faith, I sent a letter sharing my story and my vision for what their next boutique in Dallas could be. It felt like a long shot, but something told me it was worth the risk. Two years later, they called. After interviews, training in New York City, and months of preparation, I had the honor of opening the first Frances Valentine boutique in Dallas.
The community response has been incredible. We have hosted events, styled women for meaningful milestones, built lasting relationships, and set company records. Along the way, I was recognized by leadership and peers for my merchandising work, which ultimately led to my promotion as Director of Merchandising for all stores.
People often ask me what merchandising really is. To me, it is every visual and emotional touchpoint that draws someone into a store from the window and signage to where the eye naturally travels once inside. It is how mannequins are styled, how product is displayed, and how color, texture, and silhouette tell a story. My goal is to let each piece shine while honoring the vision the designer worked so hard to create inviting customers to connect with it, touch it, and ultimately make it their own.
Do you any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
That is a tough question, but one memory that always stands out is spending time with my mom while she painted for a client who owned an antique store. My brother and I would often go along with her, and I remember getting completely lost in a massive, multi-story antique mall. We explored endlessly, played hide-and-seek, admired unique pieces, and made up stories about where they came from and who might have owned them.
That experience stayed with me. Antiquing is still one of my favorite hobbies today, and my style remains eclectic and deeply personal. I love decorating my home and styling outfits with one-of-a-kind pieces I discover along the way. In many ways, that childhood curiosity and creativity now flow directly into my work proof that the moments that shape us early often find their way into who we become.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://francesvalentine.com/pages/about
- Instagram: @thefashionsoflife
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brianna.stark
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/brianna-mcgaughy-90140a45/
