July 2, 2024 • 9 mins
Marsha Jones, aka MJ, is back!
Originally featured on episode 26, MJ returns to chat with V103 midday host Bionce Foxx about her Brilliantly Black business award. Congratulations, MJ!!
MJ's main goal is to make women of all shapes, and every color, feel beautiful no matter what. Also, when it comes to your dreams, just have FAITH!
Visit MJ's Boutique in the Southlake Mall in Merriville, IN and shop online here!
Originally featured on episode 26, MJ returns to chat with V103 midday host Bionce Foxx about her Brilliantly Black business award. Congratulations, MJ!!
MJ's main goal is to make women of all shapes, and every color, feel beautiful no matter what. Also, when it comes to your dreams, just have FAITH!
Visit MJ's Boutique in the Southlake Mall in Merriville, IN and shop online here!
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
(00:00):
Putting the spotlight on chicago Lands growingblack businesses. iHeart Media Chicago presents the
Brilliantly Black Podcast. Here's our host, Jasmine Bennett Fox and I am joined
by the beautiful Marcia Jones, whois the owner of MJ's Bootique. Welcome,
(00:21):
Thank you, thank you. Ohyou're so beautiful. Thank you you
too, and you're thank you sweetie. Your outfit girl, you out here
stylin look. I love fashion,you always have since I was a little
girl. And the way you gotthat gooch bag. Okast say you,
Marsha, I see you. Yes, I can tell that you're a boutique
(00:43):
owner. Thank you, yes,ma'am. Yes, your style is everything.
So how long have you been inthe fashion game? So I actually
grew up in fashion. My grandmais a little girl. She always had
me like in fashion shows and thingsof that nature. But as far as
my boutique, I've been open sincetwenty sixteen. I started online. Oh
nice, okay, okay. Soyou are now in a brick and mortar
(01:07):
and you are located. I amin Southfolk Mall. I'm upstairs near the
food court. I've been in themall since twenty twenty. Oh Okay,
So you know I have to askyou how did you handle the whole pandemic
piece, because you've been at themall since twenty twenty and that's when the
pandemic hit. How were you ableto get through that whole situation? Listen,
(01:30):
everybody always asked me that, likehow did you open right in amidstic
COVID? And I don't know.I think it was just destined. It
was aligned with what was meant forme because it wasn't hard. I was
able to get the inventory I needed. I was able to get my location,
renovated everything with no problem. Itwas actually a smooth process. And
of course, you know at thattime, that's when we were really just
(01:52):
starting back going outside. So peoplewas in the mall of course, you
know, face masks and everything,but they adapt to you know, MJ's
and I've always been one of thatmarketed promote so my online presence was already
there. And customers always said,when you go get a brick and mortar,
where are you gonna get a brickand morning? And you know I
stepped out on faith, so wow, A say less when you use that
(02:14):
faith line? Yes, I alreadyknow what it is so MJ's boutique,
it's obviously named after you. Itis Marsha JEMs. Okay. Uh.
They offer well, I should say, you offer women's fashions for all sizes.
Yes, so from sizes what tofrom size small to three X?
So yeah, of course with mebeing plus size, I have to make
(02:36):
sure I have my plus size andthe story. But yep, so I
offer fashions from small to a threeX okay, and you build women up
and style them for the latest fashiontrends. What are some of the trends
that are happening right now? Rightnow, we on summer, okay,
so you know I'm getting into myswimsuit collection, my beach party looks,
my linen, you know, forthe not too much heavy stuff right now.
(02:57):
So summer is my favorite season isand all this. So I love
summer, even when it was hotlike ninety something the other day. Girl.
Yeah, I was in my storein the ac there you go,
there's always acre, right, Sowhat is the mission? I know you
guys have a very special mission asit relates to women who are plusized.
(03:20):
So for me, my mission isjust to let women know that they are
beautiful. A lot of times withbeing a boutique on it, you have
a lot of women who don't havethe confidence. And I try in my
store to let women know that youare beautiful, that you are, you
know, wonderfully made. It doesn'tmatter your size. We have something for
you. And I just try tobuild confidence. My model for my story
shop with confidence, Like, don'tcome in my store talking about I can't,
(03:44):
because you can. You will beputting it on and we outside see.
And that's always me. I'm like, I'm a little chunky right now,
I can't wear that at and like, no, come on, try
on and it's cute. Yes,confidence building that that's a good point because
a lot of us we have,I mean, everybody under the sun has
(04:06):
issues with certain aspects of their body. You know, Okay, I don't
like how this looks, or Iwish I had a flatter stomach, or
I wish I had a bigger behind, or whatever the case is. Yeah,
So that's so cool that you guysuplift women and their confidence. What
is it that you offer in thestore. Do you offer accessory shoe?
(04:28):
So yes, me and we actuallywe do. We have clothing. I
have accessories as well. I havejewelry, shoes, purses, everything to
I try to make it like aone stop shop. You come, grab
an outfit. I got your purse, I got your sunglasses, I got
your shoe. And then also inmy store, I have other black businesses,
small businesses that don't have a storefront. I have them in the store.
So I have a lip gloss line, it's in there. I have
(04:50):
a young lady with waste beads.I have another lady with hair products.
So I try to make sure thatit's not just me, but I try
to bring other black businesses in aswell, to give them that opportunity to
have their stuff on the show.Oh my goodness, that is so sweet
of you other small businesses. Yes, look with your business that right there,
(05:11):
that's love. Yeah, you're real, that's love because a lot of
times it's like a competition type thing. And here you are opening your doors
and inviting other businesses to cohabitate,if you will, what you're doing at
MJ's. Yes, that's good stuffright there. You excellent. So why
should women come to MJ's boutique whenthere are so many other options? Well,
(05:33):
we don't look at the options.Try to make sure we stand out
and we don't blend in. Itry to make sure that my store provides
you something that's you know, stylish, something that's cute, something that you're
not going to go find at yourtypical store. So that's one of my
big things in my store. Andone thing that I love about my store
is that I can say it's like, once you get it, you got
(05:54):
it. I don't really restock becauseI don't want a thousand people look at
them like. I try to makesure I provide from fashion so that if
it's sell out, that's okay.So so I got something else. You
know, we keep going. Sothat's one thing I love to do in
my story as well, to keepit unique and different. Okay, I
like that because I agree, Yeah, you don't want to be out and
about. Yeah the same dress thatsomebody else, right, that has happened
(06:17):
to me before. So I'll belike, yeah, everybody's shopping here and
got the same look. No.Yeah, So who comes into MJ's.
Is it the younger woman? Likemiddle age? Like a variety of ways.
It's a variety because it's crazy.I have sections for all Like,
so typical age, I would saywould be about eighteen nineteen and then I
(06:40):
have stuff even for my seasoned women. So my grandma even shopping my boutique,
she always and she's seventy six,and she always asking me what's new,
what's new? And I'd be like, Grandma, you can't wear that,
so yeah that is and what isit again? I sha that you
want people to know about MJ's boutique. I just want people to know that
(07:03):
MJ's Boutique is a small business.It's definitely destined to be big. I
pray every day over my store tobe you know, biggest Walmart one day,
you know so, and just toyou know, support, I say,
support small business. This is veryimportant, especially in this time everything
and the economy. Small businesses arereally really you know, pushing through,
(07:24):
trying to get through. So Iwould just say, you know, support
MJ's boutique. You're looking for agreat fashion. It's a great vibe,
positive energy and pretty store. Mystore is so pretty. Yes that's my
favorite color, so definitely. Andin the back we have a sefie room
so when you you know, donechopping, you want to pop a selfie.
(07:45):
We got different stations set up,so come see us, come check
us out. It's pretty cool.And tell us the location again inside and
I'm south Lake, yes, ma'am, which is not far at all side
of town you live on in Chicago, north West Indiana. Everybody knows what's
Southlake Mall. Just pull up onus at Southlake Mall and Maryville, Indiana,
(08:07):
and we're on the second floor nearthe food court. Okay, near
the food court. Yes, somethingto eat and go shop? Yeah,
yes, well, Marsha Jones,thank you so much. We're spending a
little time with us. We loveMJ's boutique. We talk about it here
on our iHeart stations and are youguys still offering the dis count? Yes?
Mention our heart radio and you gettwenty percent of Wow. Hey girl,
(08:30):
well look what is the website becauseI want to take a peek right
now and see what some of theselections of. Yes, so it is
www dot mj'sboutique dot org. Allright, please be sure to visit MJ's
Boutique in South Lake mal and Meryllville, Indiana. Marcia Jones is the owner,
and she's going to greet you withthis pretty smile that she has come
(08:52):
see me out. Thank you,thank you, thanks for listening. To
The Brilliantly Black Podcast, produced byJasmine Bennett and Ryan Lank. Executive produced
by Echo Robinson and Derek Brown.If you're a Black business and would like
to be featured, register your businessor service now at one oh three five
kissfm dot com slash brilliant. TheBrilliantly Black Podcast is a production of iHeartMedia, Chicago,
Putting the spotlight on chicago Lands growingblack businesses. iHeart Media Chicago presents the
Brilliantly Black Podcast. Here's our host, Jasmine Bennett Fox and I am joined
by the beautiful Marcia Jones, whois the owner of MJ's Bootique. Welcome,
(00:21):
Thank you, thank you. Ohyou're so beautiful. Thank you you
too, and you're thank you sweetie. Your outfit girl, you out here
stylin look. I love fashion,you always have since I was a little
girl. And the way you gotthat gooch bag. Okast say you,
Marsha, I see you. Yes, I can tell that you're a boutique
(00:43):
owner. Thank you, yes,ma'am. Yes, your style is everything.
So how long have you been inthe fashion game? So I actually
grew up in fashion. My grandmais a little girl. She always had
me like in fashion shows and thingsof that nature. But as far as
my boutique, I've been open sincetwenty sixteen. I started online. Oh
nice, okay, okay. Soyou are now in a brick and mortar
(01:07):
and you are located. I amin Southfolk Mall. I'm upstairs near the
food court. I've been in themall since twenty twenty. Oh Okay,
So you know I have to askyou how did you handle the whole pandemic
piece, because you've been at themall since twenty twenty and that's when the
pandemic hit. How were you ableto get through that whole situation? Listen,
(01:30):
everybody always asked me that, likehow did you open right in amidstic
COVID? And I don't know.I think it was just destined. It
was aligned with what was meant forme because it wasn't hard. I was
able to get the inventory I needed. I was able to get my location,
renovated everything with no problem. Itwas actually a smooth process. And
of course, you know at thattime, that's when we were really just
(01:52):
starting back going outside. So peoplewas in the mall of course, you
know, face masks and everything,but they adapt to you know, MJ's
and I've always been one of thatmarketed promote so my online presence was already
there. And customers always said,when you go get a brick and mortar,
where are you gonna get a brickand morning? And you know I
stepped out on faith, so wow, A say less when you use that
(02:14):
faith line? Yes, I alreadyknow what it is so MJ's boutique,
it's obviously named after you. Itis Marsha JEMs. Okay. Uh.
They offer well, I should say, you offer women's fashions for all sizes.
Yes, so from sizes what tofrom size small to three X?
So yeah, of course with mebeing plus size, I have to make
(02:36):
sure I have my plus size andthe story. But yep, so I
offer fashions from small to a threeX okay, and you build women up
and style them for the latest fashiontrends. What are some of the trends
that are happening right now? Rightnow, we on summer, okay,
so you know I'm getting into myswimsuit collection, my beach party looks,
my linen, you know, forthe not too much heavy stuff right now.
(02:57):
So summer is my favorite season isand all this. So I love
summer, even when it was hotlike ninety something the other day. Girl.
Yeah, I was in my storein the ac there you go,
there's always acre, right, Sowhat is the mission? I know you
guys have a very special mission asit relates to women who are plusized.
(03:20):
So for me, my mission isjust to let women know that they are
beautiful. A lot of times withbeing a boutique on it, you have
a lot of women who don't havethe confidence. And I try in my
store to let women know that youare beautiful, that you are, you
know, wonderfully made. It doesn'tmatter your size. We have something for
you. And I just try tobuild confidence. My model for my story
shop with confidence, Like, don'tcome in my store talking about I can't,
(03:44):
because you can. You will beputting it on and we outside see.
And that's always me. I'm like, I'm a little chunky right now,
I can't wear that at and like, no, come on, try
on and it's cute. Yes,confidence building that that's a good point because
a lot of us we have,I mean, everybody under the sun has
(04:06):
issues with certain aspects of their body. You know, Okay, I don't
like how this looks, or Iwish I had a flatter stomach, or
I wish I had a bigger behind, or whatever the case is. Yeah,
So that's so cool that you guysuplift women and their confidence. What
is it that you offer in thestore. Do you offer accessory shoe?
(04:28):
So yes, me and we actuallywe do. We have clothing. I
have accessories as well. I havejewelry, shoes, purses, everything to
I try to make it like aone stop shop. You come, grab
an outfit. I got your purse, I got your sunglasses, I got
your shoe. And then also inmy store, I have other black businesses,
small businesses that don't have a storefront. I have them in the store.
So I have a lip gloss line, it's in there. I have
(04:50):
a young lady with waste beads.I have another lady with hair products.
So I try to make sure thatit's not just me, but I try
to bring other black businesses in aswell, to give them that opportunity to
have their stuff on the show.Oh my goodness, that is so sweet
of you other small businesses. Yes, look with your business that right there,
(05:11):
that's love. Yeah, you're real, that's love because a lot of
times it's like a competition type thing. And here you are opening your doors
and inviting other businesses to cohabitate,if you will, what you're doing at
MJ's. Yes, that's good stuffright there. You excellent. So why
should women come to MJ's boutique whenthere are so many other options? Well,
(05:33):
we don't look at the options.Try to make sure we stand out
and we don't blend in. Itry to make sure that my store provides
you something that's you know, stylish, something that's cute, something that you're
not going to go find at yourtypical store. So that's one of my
big things in my store. Andone thing that I love about my store
is that I can say it's like, once you get it, you got
(05:54):
it. I don't really restock becauseI don't want a thousand people look at
them like. I try to makesure I provide from fashion so that if
it's sell out, that's okay.So so I got something else. You
know, we keep going. Sothat's one thing I love to do in
my story as well, to keepit unique and different. Okay, I
like that because I agree, Yeah, you don't want to be out and
about. Yeah the same dress thatsomebody else, right, that has happened
(06:17):
to me before. So I'll belike, yeah, everybody's shopping here and
got the same look. No.Yeah, So who comes into MJ's.
Is it the younger woman? Likemiddle age? Like a variety of ways.
It's a variety because it's crazy.I have sections for all Like,
so typical age, I would saywould be about eighteen nineteen and then I
(06:40):
have stuff even for my seasoned women. So my grandma even shopping my boutique,
she always and she's seventy six,and she always asking me what's new,
what's new? And I'd be like, Grandma, you can't wear that,
so yeah that is and what isit again? I sha that you
want people to know about MJ's boutique. I just want people to know that
(07:03):
MJ's Boutique is a small business.It's definitely destined to be big. I
pray every day over my store tobe you know, biggest Walmart one day,
you know so, and just toyou know, support, I say,
support small business. This is veryimportant, especially in this time everything
and the economy. Small businesses arereally really you know, pushing through,
(07:24):
trying to get through. So Iwould just say, you know, support
MJ's boutique. You're looking for agreat fashion. It's a great vibe,
positive energy and pretty store. Mystore is so pretty. Yes that's my
favorite color, so definitely. Andin the back we have a sefie room
so when you you know, donechopping, you want to pop a selfie.
(07:45):
We got different stations set up,so come see us, come check
us out. It's pretty cool.And tell us the location again inside and
I'm south Lake, yes, ma'am, which is not far at all side
of town you live on in Chicago, north West Indiana. Everybody knows what's
Southlake Mall. Just pull up onus at Southlake Mall and Maryville, Indiana,
(08:07):
and we're on the second floor nearthe food court. Okay, near
the food court. Yes, somethingto eat and go shop? Yeah,
yes, well, Marsha Jones,thank you so much. We're spending a
little time with us. We loveMJ's boutique. We talk about it here
on our iHeart stations and are youguys still offering the dis count? Yes?
Mention our heart radio and you gettwenty percent of Wow. Hey girl,
(08:30):
well look what is the website becauseI want to take a peek right
now and see what some of theselections of. Yes, so it is
www dot mj'sboutique dot org. Allright, please be sure to visit MJ's
Boutique in South Lake mal and Meryllville, Indiana. Marcia Jones is the owner,
and she's going to greet you withthis pretty smile that she has come
(08:52):
see me out. Thank you,thank you, thanks for listening. To
The Brilliantly Black Podcast, produced byJasmine Bennett and Ryan Lank. Executive produced
by Echo Robinson and Derek Brown.If you're a Black business and would like
to be featured, register your businessor service now at one oh three five
kissfm dot com slash brilliant. TheBrilliantly Black Podcast is a production of iHeartMedia, Chicago,
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