Today we’d like to introduce you to Melonie Henderson.
Hi Melonie, 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.
Broken but driven. My life was groomed by dysfunction. I learned how to live in pain and through pain from rejection repeatedly by people I trusted to loved me. The emotional and physical pain, at times, was so great; it felt as though I was living a life in hell. Because I felt unworthy, unloved, and uneducated, I decided to isolate myself because of the pain and brokenness.
Living in anguish, pain, and distress had me mentally drained, it was so exhausting. Every time I tried to live it seemed as if death was the better choice. I could not find the strength to see my way out of this dark place that housed me for too long. I remember one day asking God to help me. All I need was one person to show me how to love or for him to give me something I could love and would love me in return. That was the beginning of climbing out of my horrible pit. Each new day, as I cried out to the Lord, open doors began to appear. He provided the way out and the path to follow. By this way, my new journey had begun. My desire before the Lord was to live in a place of serenity, a place that I could call my own. So, I made the decision to walked away from a relationship of 15 years of physical and mental abuse. It was not easy. This man was my LIFE and I thought I could not live without him (honestly, I did not want to live without him) BUT GOD!
In return, I promised the Lord that I would serve women for the rest of my life. I made a vowel to make sure every woman I encounter would know their worth. I want them to feel loved by me. I wanted to begin by showing them how to look and feel beautiful so they would not fall into the same pit that held me captive for so long. My passion for fashion and making women feel desirable was to be shared with the world. I wanted to provide a haven for all women to be comfortable being themselves. I wanted to teach them that, outward appearance could help boost their self-esteem. This was important to me as I spent my life either being rejected, used, and abused mentally, socially, emotionally, and physically. This cycle took too much of my life which should have been abundant living. The new me helps women find their inner beauty, their voice, their inner strength, their joy, and their freedom.
While working as a successful Compliance Agent on the weekends, I would also run an accessory shop. After a couple of years, I became worn out from working 12 to 14 hours a day. It was then that my husband allowed me to pursue my dream by working alongside someone who owned a boutique. Three years later, my Boaz told me to step out on Faith. One day the Spirit led me to drive to Duncanville, Texas, and to look at a space. I was shopping for a church space for Nu Flava Ministries but, I heard God say this is your shop, your clothing store. I started to doubt I heard God, but he said, did not you tell me the desires of your heart. I said Lord Listen, I am trying to take care of the church first, your house Lord. Really, I was too scared to step out on faith. I did not trust that I could do it. He said I asked you to trust me. I was like okay then if it does not work out, I am putting it on you Lord. And I laughed.
I knew I could not trust myself but, I could trust God. So, I took another leap of Faith, I applied and approved for the retail space! I could not believe it. I took all the money I had saved up and opened my shop. Since then, God has given me unbelievable favor. He has brought various people in my life to help me succeed as a business owner such as Letitia Owens a phenomenal Owner/Designer/Creator/Host/Stylist/Co-Producer @DFW Video & Radio personality on Heaven 97 -KHVN along with various models who just want to help me as I help other pours into other women. I had no loans, no extra cash to keep me afloat. It was just me, my passion, my desire, Jesus, and my small savings. God has remained faithful.
Crazy thing… 2 years later Melanie Ann’s Boutique trusted God again and opened a second location in Frisco, TX with a New Brand Ambassador, the incredible Jolie Rashawn Model, Author, Speaker, and visionary of Get Shit Done to help meet the needs of the women up North. Not because God gave me an overabundance of finances. That was not the case at all. I did not have the money but, I have this heart God has given me to want to serve women. A long as there are woman and I have breath in my body I will serve woman in any capacity I can. Some people call me crazy and say I should close my doors. What people do not understand is, this is Ministry for me. It is God’s church with clothes. We pray, shout, speak, and prophecy to each other at Melanie Ann’s Boutique. I have had about every race of women stop by and deposit a word in the house of God, Melanie Ann’s Boutique.
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?
It has not been a smooth road. I have had many obstacles I have had to overcome. One of My biggest struggles is finding people who can help me with advertising, social media, and graphics. Finances became more of a struggle because I spent thousands of dollars on advertising and none of them were beneficial for me. Another issue I have is my location. It is not the best location for a Boutique, but people are hearing more about me so I am getting more customers.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
My biggest struggle is finding people who can help me with advertising, social media, and graphics. Finances became a struggle because I spent thousands of dollars on advertising and none of them were beneficial for me.
What I do? Serve, it is that simple. What do I specialize in? Love and Statement pieces for all occasions. For what am I known? Being too nice, investing in others, pushing others, and serving woman with the utmost respect regardless of if they make a purchase.
However, I will say this. If you come to my boutique, I will take the time out just for you to make sure that outfit pops. You will be amongst the best dressed (If you let me do my best work) if not the best dressed. I don’t purchase a lot of the same outfits so it’s safe to say… more than likely you will not see someone else in your outfit.
I specialize in your look, your style, and your budget. One excellent quality about me is, I see everyone as a person not a dollar. I am grateful for every person because I realize you have the right to shop at any boutique you desire. I do not take it lightly. I am aware customer invest in my business. I know there is no Melanie Ann’s Boutique if I did not have women financially supporting the boutique.
We all have a different way of looking at and defining success. How do you define success?
Never giving up on yourself. Being able to handle up, downs and in-betweens but, most of all learning from your mistakes.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.melanieannsboutique.com
- Instagram: Melanieannsboutique instagram.com/melanieannsboutique
- Twitter: @melanieanns_b
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o0ryDZ3bRg8
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/melanie-anns-boutique-duncanville
- Other: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100080729950705
Image Credits
Jolie Rashawn
Dr. Tiffany Lloyd
J&J Photography
