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

Hi Myeliya, we’d love for you to start things off by telling us something about your industry that we and others not in the industry might be unaware of?
The one thing about this industry that outsiders are unaware of is the cost of goods we vs retail cost. In order to get quality clothing for our boutiques. We spend quite a bit. Therefore, we have to make a profit off the retail cost. The misconception is that we are paying the prices they see on Temu or SHEIN. You will hear lot of people say I can get that on those sites but what they do not realize is it is not the same material nor quality. Well how do I know this, this is also a trial an error business. I have purchased off a cheap wholesale websites that you need to have reseller license to purchase clothing. It showed the same thing the manufacturer sells. The material was nothing like the manufacturer. Anyone can put a picture up to say it is his or her product. That is not anything new.

What should our readers know about your business?
I am a person who started doing hair as a kid. So entrepreneurial skills were already in me. I went to college but I had to stop because I got pregnant with my oldest. So, I went back I what I knew. That was doing hair. I received my cosmetology license in 2000 but I worked inside salons. I finally decided to step out on faith in 2013 to get my own salon suite space. From there is when I began selling hair, sunglasses, then jewelry.

Once the pandemic hit in 2020 we had to close salons because we were not deemed essential. Therefore, I took my sunglasses and jewelry online. Because I still had to provide for my family. As things started opening back up. I started doing pop-up events. There was a time that I did one inside the mall. This is when I was asked to put my things inside of a store called Beauty Essentials. I took that opportunity. That is when I started selling a full range clothes and not just t-shirts. I also added them to my website; I left the store and continued selling on the website and doing a lot more vendor events. I had to find my market. Today I make a killing a lot of women’s conferences, Yes it took a while to get to the point but I found what works for me, There were many times I would sit there and barely make what I paid to participate. I would say do some research because some of those events are strictly to put money in their pockets.

What I would want people to know about is my resilience. No matter all the difficult trial and tribulations, I have gone through. God carried me through so I never gave up. I worked my behind off. I cried many nights. Nevertheless, I always figured out a way. My brand is still growing. It will show the fun, business, and savvy side of me.

 

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.
Well I do not really go out. However, if my friend was coming. I would make sure something is going on in Memphis. We would go eat at Costal, have drinks at Season’s 52 because I know the bartender. We will go to Manhattan Bar and Grill for some live music. Then why not check out a Grizzlies or Tigers basketball game.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I give all my encouragement and love to my three daughters… Before deciding to get back into self-employment, I had to talk to them. I was blessed a bonus daughter during the pandemic because her grandmother that raised her passed away. She is my youngest daughter’s friend. She has been with me for almost 3 years now. They are my biggest cheerleaders.

My support system are my parents. In the industry of entrepreneurs, we will have some down moments and you do not know where that money is coming from to pay your bills lol. My parents never let me fall short. I will always thank them and appreciate them for those moments, when it comes to this boutique life. I have to shout out Latara Gray in Birmingham, AL. as my mentor. She encouraged me to just do it sis. All I wanted to do was sell sunglasses and jewelry inside my salon. So, when I told her I had an opportunity to sell clothing inside a store. She gave me the tools I needed. She is a diamond! There are so many people in the industry that will hold back. She loves to help others raw and genuine.

So to anyone wanting to be in the beauty and boutique business. It is not made for the weak. It doesn’t happen overnight. But don’t give up if it’s what you desire. The whole is big enough for us all.

Website: www.mlsleekaccessories.com

Instagram: @mlsleekaccessories

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100064149700463&mibextid=LQQJ4d

Other: TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@mlsleekaccessories?_t=8gSBMDrS7ws&_r=1

Image Credits
Photo: My daughter Kalyss Louder

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