Written by: Samantha Cee

This month we sat down with the rising brand Michelle Divine Boutique is an emerging luxury lifestyle brand leading in fashion. Michelle Divine Boutique. Michelle Divine Boutique is an emerging luxury lifestyle brand leading in fashion. Take a look at the exclusive interview with the rising brand.

"To be a global luxury lifestyle brand leading in fashion and story-telling products. Everyone has a style and everyone has a story. We tell a two-fold fashion story- Yours and Ours!"

Website: michelledivineboutique.com

Facebook: Michelle Divine Boutique / Instagram: @_michelledivineboutique_

Tiktok:@_michelledivineboutique_ / Twitter: @MDivineBoutique

Pinterest: michelledivineboutique / YouTube: Michelle Divine Boutique

Fashion Gxd Magazine: How did the idea for your business come about?

Answer: It kind of just happened with my love for fashion and after working for various retail companies, which I knew that is not something I wanted to do for the rest of my life.I always knew I wanted to work in fashion and be a designer for as young as I can remember. I just wasn't sure how to go about it. So I started creating my opportunities from styling local clients and hosting events. I love it all from designing to styling and the desire to create and see my creations come to life and dress the world and now the brand is slowly but surely taking on a life of its own and making a name.

Fashion Gxd Magazine: How do you find people to bring into your organization that truly care about the organization the way you do?

Answer: Networking mainly and through social media. Conversation and their social media can tell you a lot about the interest of a person and insight to what they are like outside of professional realms...you get a sneak peak of personality and character outside the "representative" you may meet during an interviewing process.

Fashion Gxd Magazine: What three pieces of advice would you give to other children who want to become entrepreneurs?

Answer: Research, plan and don't be afraid to fail/do something you are passionate about

Fashion Gxd Magazine :If you had the chance to start your career over again, what would you do differently?

4, Answer: If I had a chance to start my career over 1. I would make better choices with my personal finances (because my personal finances are what funds my business). 2. Get a business mentor a lot sooner. 3. Believe in myself/changed my mindset a lot earlier on.

Fashion Gxd Magazine: What would you say are the top three skills needed to be a successful entrepreneur ?

Answer: I can only answer this based on my experiences so far and my current level of success...this answer may be subject to change (lol!)...but 3 skills I believe are very important to become a successful entrepreneur...1. Communication (it is key you have to be able to communicate to network, with potential investors and how to communicate with your target audience) 2.Abillity to learn...society is always changing and so will your industry you have to always be a student to your industry, new best practices and mentors who are where you want to be. The learning never stops! Your ability to learn puts you in a better position to be an effective leader!

Fashion Gxd Magazine: What have been some of your failures, and what have you learned from them?

Answer: A time I failed to plan thoroughly and was too trustworthy/ naive with business info. The result of lack of planning almost always shows in efficacy (or the lack thereof), faulty production or loss of money (sometimes all 3). Sometimes as new entrepreneurs we can be overzealous to just get out there especially to make new connections and pair up with others without using a bit of discernment. As the saying "all is fair in love and war" the same can be said for business. In business especially in the cut-throat fashion industry, unless legally binding no one owes you anything NOT EVEN integrity. So navigating with discernment, using both street smarts/life experiences and book smarts is a hard lesson I learned is very important.

Fashion Gxd Magazine: How many hours do you work a day on average?

Answer: On averageI work 16-18hr days most days

Fashion Gxd Magazine: Describe/outline your typical day?

Answer: I wake up around 4:30 am to start my morning routine; 6:30-8:30am I'm getting my son ready sending out emails checking my analytics. 9-5 I am working my part-time job as customer liaison but during my lunch break and various mini breaks I a posting content and designing garments and communicating with vendors/ manufacturers throughout the day. I get home about 6:15 up until 7:30pm. I'm helping my son with homework and hearing about his day and cooking dinner. 7:30pm-8:45 fulfilling orders and sending designs to my team; 8:45- 9:20 dinner time and 9:30 my son's bed time 9:30pm from 9:30 till 10:30pm...I am constructing newsletter emails and promos and/or scheduling or tweeking my schedule if necessary but if the schedule is set/good I am listening to Gary V. podcast...there have been times when the workload is very heavy I won't get to sleep until 1:30 am. Saturdays are work days in which I send out orders that came later in the week, photoshoot/videshoots and days when I help my son build on his dream...Sundays are usually family days so I try not do any work unless it is completely needed (unfortunately at this stage in business more often than not it is needed...lol).

Fashion Gxd Magazine: How has being an entrepreneur affected your family life?

Answer: I would say the most effect that entrepreneurship has got to be how I value and prioritize my time. Both my son and I are still getting used to being on the go because my son is like my little assistant. He goes just about everywhere with me. But it has inspired my son to go after the things he wants to do. My journey has sparked his own little entrepreneur fire...lol!

Fashion Gxd Magazine: What motivates you?

Answer: My family, my community and the desire to be able to give back on a grand scale is what motivates me...the reminder the vision is bigger than myself.

Fashion Gxd Magazine: How do you generate new ideas?

Answer: I generate new ideas mostly through nature, my mood, my view of the world and music. These are all muses for me when I am designing/creating. Life itself is art; nature, love, hate, sadness, good and bad are all a driving force for a story meant to be told.

Fashion Gxd Magazine: What sacrifices have you had to make to be a successful entrepreneur?

Answer: I have sacrificed my social life, at time sleep, and sometimes personal spending for entrepreneurship and at some point a love life.

Fashion Gxd Magazine: Where do you see yourself and your business in 10 years? 20 years?

Answer: In 10 years I see myself for sure being a homeowner and running Michelle Divine with my son by my side officially being a first generation family owned business and have more time to spend with family and loved ones. Business wise in 10 years I see Michelle Divine Boutique being a household name expanded with a design studio/ headquarters and hopefully a few storefronts. In 20 years I see Michelle Divine no longer as a boutique but globally known luxury goods and lifestyle company. We will be fully extended into beauty and home decor and also own a fine dining restaurant or two and a vineyard. In 20 years I will like to have written an audio book. But most importantly I see Michelle Divine heading several charity organizations that donate clothing,food and counseling and provide housing assistance to homeless and domestic violence victims. Michelle Divine will have mentorship programs for children and young adults who want to explore entrepreneurship. I know it sounds crazy and a relatively huge agenda/dream but I truly believe Michelle Divine is intended to do great things.