Rising Stars: Meet Jessica Lavender

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jessica Lavender.

Hi Jessica, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstories.
My husband, Frank, and I started selling women’s clothing six years ago!  We maxed out our credit card and said a prayer.  I was a mom of four, and I had huge dreams!!! We started this dream in a tiny spare room in our house and we are getting ready to move into our third warehouse that is 10,000 square feet!

We carry all sizes S-6XL, but we specialize in plus-size clothing and helping plus-sized women feel confident every day. We have grown a massive online community of plus-sized women who join our live sales every night on Facebook. They feel like they finally have a place where they can shop alongside women of all sizes.

We have become so much more than an online boutique… we have become a forum where women build relationships with other women, find self-confidence no matter their size, and have a sense of belonging to our MPB family!

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
This journey is never a smooth road! We are constantly learning and growing as our customer base is growing. Sourcing plus-sized clothes that are trendy and cute has been a sore spot for the fashion industry. We are constantly working with brands trying to improve this market. We are a voice for our customers, and they deserve more than what has been offered in the past years.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I am the owner of the Mint Pineapple Boutique (also known as the MPB). My specialty is sourcing and selling. I spend my day’s sourcing clothing, accessories, and everything fun! I work with vendors daily and travel to apparel markets six times a year.

I spend my evening selling live on Facebook to our online community. I model our clothes and help women find confidence in themselves.

What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
The biggest factors leading to my success are my confidence and my work ethic. I am a 3XL, plus-size woman, that is fully confident in everything that I wear. I feel beautiful and I want everyone else to feel the same. I am passionate about my business and the hours that I invest show that. I am known for working nonstop and crazy hours!

When you are passionate about your job… it doesn’t feel like a job! I am a strong believer that good things come to those who hustle and dreams don’t work unless you do!

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: www.mintpineappleboutique.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mintpineappleboutique/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mintpineappleboutique
• Other: www.shopmpb.com