Today we’d like to introduce you to Jacqueline Martin.
Founded in 2011, Designer Jacque Martin learned the craftsmanship of handcrafting leather handbags & created the Jacque M. imprint that was inspired by the depth a bold statement piece brings to subtly contrast a chic look. Started with the accessory line “POPLife Jewels”, the brand includes: POPLife Professional Style Consulting, Jacque M. 528 handbag line, and The Left Lane Collection. Based in Dallas Texas, Martin won the Flair for Fashion & The Akita Group “Accessories in the Nude” 2014. Martin’s custom pieces have been featured on Vh1’s hit TV shows Basketball Wives, Love and Hip Hop, & K. Michelle: My Life. Martin has been also been featured in D Magazine, Cosign Magazine, Essence.com, YSF Magazine, and Van City Vogue Magazine.
In 2013, she launched the Build A Bag Mixer, and five years later rebranded & relaunched the Build A Bag Experience which is an interactive handbag experience the gives women the opportunity to create everlasting memories through fashion, creativity & empowerment. Over the years Jacque M has expanded her brand into building a Real Estate Brand Jacque M Realty Group and collaborating with other women as coOwner of Shop Bella Body.
Early Career
In 2002, Jacque Martin graduated from Chicago State University with a degree in Business Management & Marketing. After graduation, she earned a position as an Account Executive with Bank One, now known as JP Morgan Chase Bank, one of the largest financial institutions in the world. Jacque received many awards and recognition early on in her banking career. Through hard work, dedication and excellence she was promoted to Vice President and oversaw banking centers in Chicago, Milwaukee, Dallas and New Orleans. After working for JP Morgan Chase for nearly ten years, Jacque realized she was no longer fulfilled with Corporate America. She knew there was a greater purpose and she was determined to discover what her purpose was.
Jacque M 528
Shortly after her revelation, Jacque lost her job as Vice President. She spent two months vacationing with her family and during her travels, she discovered her purpose, and began developing “P.O.P Life”. Short for: People of Purpose Living & Loving Life, Martin was sure she found her purpose. Utilizing her business knowledge and entrepreneurial skills to build her brand, Martin created POPLife Jewels. This line was a collection of custom-designed accessories.
Originally marketed to popular hairstylists, boutique owners, friends and family, the demand for POPLife Jewels grew. Shortly after, Martin opened her first Accessory Design Studio/Boutique located in South Lake, TX. Jacque also opened an online boutique and utilized social media as a means to market her brand. This expanded her clientele nationally, gaining her high-profile customers. POPLife Jewels was hand-selected by Pat Smith (wife of NFL Hall of Famer Emmitt Smith) to be a “Luxury Experience Lounge Partner” as part of Smith’s “Treasure You Girlfriend’s Retreat” in 2012.
Professional Style Consulting
Due to a growing client-base, Martin was able to lend her fashion expertise by styling video shoots and photoshoots around the Dallas area. She has built reputable relationships with artists, photographers, and models, both locally and across the country. List of clients include NBA and NFL wives and professional women. In 2012, Martin styled DJ Spinderella of the Grammy Award-winning group Salt-N-Pepa. Jacque has styled DJ Spinderella for the 2012 Superbowl, 2012 Grammy Awards, 2012 NBA All-Star, 2012 Oscar Party and the entire Shaquille O’Neal All-Star Comedy Tour.
Philanthropy
To Martin, the Jacque M 528 umbrella is more than a brand but is a lifestyle. She is very passionate about giving back to upcoming entrepreneurs through free mentorship. Jacque M has teamed up with countless charities such as Minnie’s Food Pantry, Tackle Cancer Foundation, and Fly Away with the Bridge Breast Cancer Foundation to name a few. She creates and donates exclusive items to be auctioned off to help raise funding for each of the charities she supports.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It would be nice to say that the road has been easy, but it’s been the total opposite.
I often say that being an entrepreneur is the hardest thing to do, yet the most rewarding. The number one struggle is balancing all of the responsibilities of starting a business, recreating your business model to stay relevant, being a single mom, and still pushing even when the sales are slow.
Please tell us about Build A Bag Experience – what should we know?
Build A Bag a.k.a. BABE is an interactive handbag experience that allows women to come into our fully decorated studio to design & create their own leather clutch. We target women that are celebrating anything from Birthday, Girls Night Out, Bridal Shower, Social Organizations, etc.
As a company, I am most proud of allowing women an opportunity to create everlasting memories with friends and family.
What sets us apart from others is the overall uniqueness of the Build A Bag Experience.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
Growing up, I was actually just like I am today just a bigger & better version.
I’ve always been this fashionista, fun, full of life kind of girl. I love all things fashion, I’m compassionate about others, I love to entertain in my home for family & friends. Interesting that I started knitting & sewing as early as 3rd grade.
After going to college, becoming a single mom while working on my bachelor’s degree, working as a Vice President for JP Morgan Chase for nearly a decade, it’s funny that I’ve gone back to what I fell in love with as early as 3rd grade.
Pricing:
- Starting cost is $125 per person
Contact Info:
- Address: 418 N Main St. Ste 115
Euless, TX 76039 - Website: www.buildabagexperience.com
- Phone: 9729799967
- Email: info@buildabagexperience.com
- Instagram: @buildabagexperience
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/buildabagexperience
Image Credit:
Photo Credit Cerissa Powdrill
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