I had the pleasure of meeting Jamie Ann Johnson a couple months ago at a trunk show here in town. Even though we only talked to each other for a few minutes at the party, we immediately hit it off, and have become friends through our blogs, Facebook and Twitter.
Jamie has built a successful business, Molly Dendy, from the ground up. Not only does she sell beautiful luxury items such as handmade totes, flip flops and tutus through her trunk shows and website, but she also maintains two blogs that are dedicated to inspiring others to follow their dreams. The Molly Dendy Blog is for women (girls at heart) who are "bold enough to live their dreams and shake things up with style and grace." The Molly Dendy Girls Blog is dedicated to young girls and encourages them through fun, crafty projects to "shine".
In an effort to spread some of that shine, I interviewed Jamie and would like to share it here (with special thanks to Maddy for modeling the Molly Dendy tutus):
(1) First off, where are you from? Where is your business located?
Born and raised in South Arkansas, I currently live in West Monroe, Louisiana. It's funny, because I often get e-mails from customers wanting to know where my "factory" is located....I operate entirely out of my home. Nearly every room in my little nest has been taken over by sewing machines, packing materials, ribbon stock, etc... My kitchen has become an office and my spare bedroom and living room are the workrooms!
(2) How did you get started? What was your inspiration?
I've been dreaming up businesses and designing since I was about 4. Truly, that's all I remember doing as a child! I drove my mom crazy because I would 're-purpose' everything in the house with my 'designs'....lampshades, furniture, perfume, jewelry, nothing was safe! I was born a dreamer and never let being different bother me, until I was a young adult. Then, I got wrapped up in trying to 'fit in'. I turned from my faith & got lost in the world.
After years of darkness, I found myself broken in virtually every aspect of my life. I was a mere shell of a human being and judging by worldly standards, I had lost everything. Then, in that low and very lonely place, I realized that God had never forgotten me and I hadn't lost everything. That tiny flame inside of me began to burn more strongly as I began to seek God and get my life back on track. He used my business to bring me back home, to bring me back to Him and the faith I'd lost along the way.
I'll never forget the day I officially launched my business. I was so broke, I had pawned everything trying to scrape up enough money for rent. I was living off of pancakes because I could buy a box of pancake mix for less than a buck at Fred's and then cook it all sorts of ways! With negative $300 dollars in my bank account and nothing left to hock, I had no choice. I had to overcome my fear of rejection and put my designs out for people to see. I really expected to get e-mails from people that said "your designs are stupid, you need to give it up". Much to my surprise, the response was very positive!
(3) What has been your very best day in business?
The proudest moment of my life was when I got my business license!
(4) What keeps you going...even on the bad days?
I surround myself with positive music, study the Bible, and read tons of inspirational books. Doing that is so important. When things get tough, it never fails that a song like "Still I Rise" by Yolanda Adams or a verse like Psalm 30:5 (..."weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning") just pop in my head and I'm deeply encouraged. I'm so blessed with amazing family, friends and customers that have just shown unbelievable support for my business venture. Knowing they are behind me is incredibly motivational.
(5) Who is your hero?
Aside from Christ, I've never really had a hero or idol. Yes, I enjoy reading inspirational stories about wildly successful individuals and certainly consider them a tremendous influence. However, for me, heroes are more the everyday type of people. Like some of the children I've been blessed to work with in the past that have suffered unbelievable cruelties in their young lives, yet they forgive and love almost unconditionally. Or the man I once saw limping behind an antiquated push mower, thrusting it along with only one arm in the cruel summer heat as he traveled from miles across town to mow yards for a living, yet he smiled. I'm fortunate enough to meet heroes almost everyday. Sadly, most people just overlook them.
(6) If you had to choose three words to describe Molly Dendy, what would they be?
Sunshine, bespoke, inspiration.
(7) What is the farthest that you have shipped one of your products?
We've been blessed to gain customers from all over the country. California, Florida, New York, there are Molly Dendy gals everywhere!
(8) Where do you see yourself in 5 years, 10 years?
I can plan and scheme all day long, but the truth is I "work like it's all up to me and pray like it's all up to him"-Tracy Lawrence. I never thought that I would have customers from all over the country and never expected to be living my dream by 30 so there's no telling where we'll be in 10 years. I hope in a factory so I can have some living space again! I will still still be working with children, just hope to have a wonderful husband and house full of my own kids by then!
(9) Do you have any advice for young women with dreams of starting their own business someday?
Don't let fear hold you back. Know that you will have to sacrifice alot if you really want it to work. If God has planted the seed for a business in you, realize that it's not about you or your product or service. It's about how He can use those talents to make you a better person and encourage others everyday.
Thanks Jamie for sharing your story with us! I'll leave you with two final images...LK sporting her brand new Molly Dendy flip flops. I can't tell you how excited she was to wear these...
