Meet Marielie Bourdon | Owner

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

Hi Marielie, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
The making of London’s Alley was very strategic and I spent a lot of time visualizing what I wanted for the future. We are an online fashion and beauty one stop shop inspired by pop culture. I wanted to start the brand for my daughter, because I knew she would take after me and become a fashionista. I named the brand After my daughter Alivia London, and since her nickname is Alley I thought to combine the name. We bridge the gap for low income areas needing affordable fashion and beauty.

What should our readers know about your business?
London’s Alley mission is to express personality through trendy up to date fashion and beauty for women, men’s and kids. When I began the brand In 2018 I had very little to no experience in business, but I was sure it would work out! I was enrolled in business courses and worked as a Manager for Nordstrom. I wanted to learn as much as I could while exploring all of the our options. We quickly began to dive into the community as a brand to find the wants and needs of our customer. Following we traveled to Chicago’s style max and hosted numerous pop ups. Since LA has produced over five successful fashion shows offering our new collections in Detroit. Everyone knows Detroit for the music and we use the London’s Alley platform to offer trendy fashion too. As an entrepreneur I have faced many sleepless nights, worked long hours, took too many breaks, but I never give up. I always tell the young girls and boys whom I mentor to keep going, and someone will be there your next step to help. We are proud winners of the round 16 business plan Motor City Match award. Super proud sponsors of A girls dream organization offering steam resources to the girls in Metro Detroit. We faced major loses during the beginning of the Covid-19 Pandemic with all that was going on, and traveled to Tampa to look over and add products in the shop Heartless Human. We spent six months in Tampa creating new products and were able to expand our market by adding beauty services like eyelash extensions and eyebrow arching. All of our beauty products are made by woman and are vegan and cruelty free. London’s Alley has recently launched a new brand ambassador program featuring the “it girls”, which are trendy, timeless and stylish girls rocking our products!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Every time I have visitors I take them out to the Detroit Historical museum, belle isle, and we have to grab a bite to eat from Buddys Pizza. I love to take a drive down Woodward its such a nice scenic view of the city.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Please give a huge shout out to Briana Bryant of A girls Dream Organization. She is a Jewel and a pleasure to work with. We would also like to give a shout out to DRAKE, for making passionate music for us to hear while working on our projects.

Website: www.londonsalley.org

Instagram: @itgirlmarib

Facebook: @londonsalleyshop

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRvVW7-6stnO0UZbQutZYNg