Meet Macca Edwards | Fashion and lifestyle Blogger

We had the good fortune of connecting with Macca Edwards and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Macca, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
The thought process behind starting my own business stemmed from years of loving fashion. It was a long journey of discovery. Fashion has been a hobby of mine for many years but never viewed it as a career option. As a child I loved dressing up. I cared a lot about my clothes. Some of my fondest memories revolve around fashion. Every year in July my mom, sister, grandma, and I would head to during the Nordstrom Anniversary sale. We’d browse the isles. I was in heaven! The beautiful clothes lining the isles. Mannequins dressed for Fall; my very favorite season. Soft music playing in the background. It was my own personal heaven. These moments were magical for me. I was sharing time with my favorite people while picking out outfits. I loved it! We started this tradition in elementary school and continued all through high school and into college. We’d make a day of it. Showing up early to shop the sales.

Later on after getting married and finishing college I worked in Men’s suiting at Nordstrom. At first, I dreaded the idea of fitting a man for a suit and picking out a dress shirt and tie. I was intimidated by men’s fashion. In time I got my groove and I learned so much! I was 21 years old and styling businessmen for their work weeks. It felt good knowing my stuff! When picking out shirts and ties I go by the rule of thumb match colors/clash patterns. Something so simple brought me so much confidence. It was the first time I helped people feel great in their clothing on a professional level. It felt good.

Fashion remained a hobby after moving on from sales in the men’s department. I shared my outfits on social media but, always with the idea that it was a hobby not a career. In all honesty, I felt like I could not pursue a career in fashion. I knew that nights and weekends would be a demand if I was a personal stylist or buyer at a department store. I didn’t want nights and weekends. My goal was to be a mother. I wanted to be a stay at home mom. This dream superseded any dream of working in fashion. Which meant I kept fashion in a bubble and only allowed it to be a hobby. I wasn’t willing to think outside the box and viewed a career in fashion as something just outside of my reach.

For so long I was unwilling to share my truest dreams. I knew the dream of wanting to exist in the fashion world in a way that was beyond a hobby. But, I wasn’t willing to speak it into existence. I wasn’t willing to share it with my husband Nick. I couldn’t bring myself to verbalize it. I kept it sealed inside me. I kept it sealed because I was unwilling to think outside the box. I didn’t allow myself to process loving fashion and pursuing it as a career in a unique way.

Eleven years into marriage with two school age children and a lot of odd jobs under my belt; I was at a crossroads. The topic of a career was now at the forefront. I didn’t need to be home all day for our children. I can remember sitting in our living room and Nick asked me, “What career path would you be on if you were able to do exactly what you want?” I finally got the guts to share my dream. I shared with him how I would love to create my own brand. I want to share fashion with others. Build a business of my own. That was the defining moment. From that conversation we began talking about building my brand. My truest passion is to live and breathe in the fashion industry. But, in my own way. Not in a conventional way. As I reflect on my journey I see how it all started from childhood. Those moments at the Anniversary sale. Later working in men’s suiting. It was a long journey. I didn’t know for certain my career path. It took a lot of small moments over many years. Being brave enough to state my dreams and allow them to be real. I am creating my own corner of the fashion world and am beyond excited to be doing it my way.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
As a fashion and lifestyle blogger I am determined to stay true to my style and share styles that I find exciting. My style can be feminine, relaxed, preppy, edgy, masculine. I can appreciate many different styles in fashion; something I pride myself on. In a world of social media and sharing my style there are so many styles out there. At times it’s hard to not compare myself. Thinking, maybe I should style looks like this or wear those shoes, jeans, accessories, etc. But, it is so important to me to stay true to my style and recognize that it won’t be for everyone. I will relate to a certain demographic of women and those are my people. These are the women I am meant to connect with. Building a fashion community is such a beautiful way to create connection. It stems from fashion but, it goes so much deeper. Through staying true to my style and what I am drawn to I will be connected to the women who resonate with me. I am able to build friendships through this brand creation. It has been such a fabulous addition to sharing my love for fashion.

My goal in building my brand is to create community. I want others to know my story. To be vulnerable and relatable is so important to me. While fashion is my business the most important by product is connection. When people browse my website they will find outfit inspiration. They will also find my story. They will read about the ups and downs of my life. My brand, Macca Rose is a space of inspiration for fashion and life fulfillment. My middle name is Rose but, the rose in my brand also represents how there is beauty in the hardships of life. The rose is such a beautiful flower. Still, it has thorns. My life is beautiful; just as all of ours are. But, there are thorns. There has been hardship. There will be hardship in the future. We connect through vulnerability. Through sharing our thorns. Starting my own brand has not been easy. There is sacrifice in building Macca Rose. My hope is Macca Rose is a place where women feel seen, understood, and supported through fashion and story telling.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
My best friend is actually going to visit me this spring! I am so excited to share Atlanta with her! We would start our day picking up a coffee at Dancing Goats. Next we would walk around the shops. Spending time in each boutique. One of the most special things is that I met by best friend while working at Nordstrom. We both love all things fashion. Which means it wouldn’t be hard for us to spend many hours exploring all the amazing shopping in the city! Perhaps we’d take an Uber to explore Ponce City Market or Atlantic Station. She and I would definitely make time for walking the Beltline. Stopping for a drink or two! We’d grab lunch at the Garden room; sipping on mimosas and taking in all the beautiful florals! After lunch, we’d explore Buckhead and all the fabulous shopping it has to offer. Finishing the night with dinner at Apt 4B, Postino, or Bones. We would also make sure to fit in a cocktail during sunset at Skylounge Atlanta. We’d likely end the night ordering dessert from room service in our hotel room and watching a chick flick!

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My husband, Nick has always been there to support me. The most amazing thing is that he pushes my limits. He asks tough questions. Nick challenges me to be introspective. He asks me to think about what is working, what isn’t working, and why. Not only does he challenge me but, he believes in me. A lot of times he believed in me more than I believed in myself. Something that has been so encouraging as I pursue building my own business. It has been a long journey of self discovery and he has been there through it all. I so admire his ability to think deeply and critically. Something I desire to emulate. His love, encouragement, and belief in my abilities through all my endeavors has been a crucial piece to my story.

There has been so many encouraging women I’ve come in contact with while starting my business. However, there are two women who have been so open and honest with me. It’s interesting when building a fashion brand through social media there has been this lock and key mentality. Sometimes a feeling of others who are not willing to share what is working for them. Entrepreneurship in social media is a newer phenomenon and because of that I think there’s a fear that if we share what has helped us grow it will allow others to get ahead of us. But, these two women who I have built a friendship with have taken time out of their day to meet with me on zoom. They freely and openly share their journey with fashion. Julie and Krista from @Lastseenwearing are truly such amazing women! They have built a beautiful space in fashion. They have offered mentorship in my journey. It has been so helpful and so sweet knowing I have others in the same space who I can reach out to.

Another amazing woman who has always believed in my abilities is, Wendy Pilch. She has been a personal stylist for many years in the Washington DC area. We met through social media several years ago and have worked on several projects together. She is a go getter! Always in pursuit of building a life around her love for fashion. Something I admire greatly. She has been a mentor, friend, and someone I have loved working with over the years.

Website: www.maccarose.com

Instagram: @maccarose_

Linkedin: Macca Edwards

Other: pinterest @maccarose_