We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Melinda Engelhart a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Melinda, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today If you’re open to it, can you talk to us about the best (or worst) investment you’ve made. What’s the backstory and the relevant context behind why you made the investment
The best investment I’ve ever made as a business owner, both in time & money, has been in my personal growth. I realized within about a year of business, that I was the “lid” – Shiplap+Sage (the only business I had at the time) would grow at the rate that I did as a person, as a leader. I became obsessed with personal development – decision paradigms, studying human behavior, reading about leadership & management, listening to podcasts, etc.
One of the hardest things for me to do was spend money on ME – I purchased a “how to wholesale” course in 2023 for several hundred dollars, which at the time was nerve-wracking! I presented the idea to my husband, but he thought it was risky. Taking the leap anyway, I bought the course, devoured it in 3 days, and immediately went to work, implementing what I had learned. Within 2 months, we had 6 new retail partners, and now 3 years later, we’ve multiplied that investment so many times over, have opened our own brick & mortar, and even launched a men’s line.
The investment was WELL worth the risk – in part because there was value in the content, and in part because I took immediate action on what I had learned. The most successful entrepreneurs are not just students, they are practitioners – actually working on new concepts/new growth with focus. My challenge to young entrepreneurs would be to remember that your biggest RIO – is YOU!
Melinda, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?
My journey has always been driven by a desire to create spaces and products that feel holistic, intentional, and “homey.” I stepped into this industry because I saw a gap: people were craving authenticity but were often met with mass-produced, soul-less options. I built Shiplap + Sage to be an answer to that—a brand rooted in the belief that the things we put in and on our bodies should be clean, while at the same time, have a story and a purpose.
As I grew, that mission naturally expanded. It wasn’t enough to just create my own goods; I wanted to create a platform for others to do the same. That led to the acquisition of The Stables Marketplace, our curated community where local artisans can grow their own legacies. Along the way, I also realized that the “homey” aesthetic shouldn’t be limited to one demographic, which is why we launched Sacred Honor, our dedicated men’s line. It’s built for the man who values quality, heritage, and a sense of rugged refinement.
What We Provide
Across all three brands, we provide a bridge between artisan craft and professional strategy. Through Shiplap + Sage and Sacred Honor, we provide high-end apothecary goods, home curation, and proprietary lifestyle products that are formulated with care and intention. Through The Stables, we provide a physical and strategic home for vendors—a place where community over competition isn’t just a slogan, but a business model.
The Problems We Solve
We solve the problem of “the disconnect.” In a world of fast-click shopping, we offer connection. For our retail customers, we solve the struggle of finding high-quality, trustworthy products that match their values. For our vendors and creative clients, I solve the problem of overwhelmed growth. I help entrepreneurs move past the “hobbyist” ceiling by providing them with the “Mini MBA” frameworks they need to scale—covering everything from financial literacy to wholesale strategy.
What Sets Us Apart
What sets us apart is our “No Fluff” philosophy and our commitment to the “Practitioner’s Path.” I don’t speak in theories; I speak from the trenches. Whether I’m perfecting a new body oil base for the apothecary or negotiating showroom space in a national marketplace, I am doing the work alongside my clients. We combine high-level business strategy with a grassroots, small-town heart. We believe you don’t have to choose between being a “creative” and being a “powerhouse business owner.”
What I’m Most Proud Of
I am most proud of the ecosystem we’ve built in Franklinton. Watching a vendor at The Stables find their footing, or seeing a customer find their “signature scent” in our fragrance lines that makes them feel confident—that is the real win. I’m proud that we’ve created a brand family that honors both the feminine and the masculine, the maker and the strategist.
What I Want You to Know
Ultimately, I want you to know that your environment and your story matter. My work is dedicated to helping you curate a life and a business that reflects your highest values. Whether you are shopping our collections or joining one of our business intensives, you aren’t just a customer; you are part of a community that believes in building things that last.
Let’s talk M&A – we’d love to hear your about your experience with buying businesses.
I never set out to buy a business, but in February 2025, I was approached with a heavy proposition: a local vendor marketplace in our small town was failing and needed a rescue. My initial reaction was a firm “no.” My plate was full, and Shiplap + Sage was thriving. However, my husband offered a perspective that changed everything. He reminded me of my goals for the year: I wanted to provide my young, dedicated staff with more consistent hours, and I had a deep desire to bring my incredibly talented sister into the business with me. This marketplace was the vessel to make those dreams a reality. After much prayer and consideration, we took the leap and finalized the purchase of The Stables Marketplace in March 2025.
The Trial by Fire
If I were given a “do-over,” I’d tell myself to go slower—but at the time, we were in survival mode. The transition was a relentless gauntlet. The first two months were full of “firsts” and “failures.” I found myself wrestling with everything from the unexpected hurdle of setting up new commercial utility accounts to a nightmare scenario where our POS system funneled funds in the wrong direction for weeks. We dealt with the internet going down for days at a time and old staff quitting with zero notice.
Behind the scenes, I was completely reworking the legal structure of the business to ensure our protection. It was a season of late nights, tense phone calls, and deep self-doubt. I made a promise to my husband: I would not sacrifice a thriving business for a dying one. We set a hard deadline for profitability. If the numbers didn’t move by that date, we would shut it down.
The Pivot: From Victim to Hero
That deadline forced me to become obsessed with the numbers. I realized our margins were off, and we had to pivot—fast. We started watching the street; when we saw people peeking in the windows after 6:00 PM, we immediately extended our hours. We literally knocked down walls to change the energy of the space. We installed a coffee and tea bar, started sourcing our own curated clothing and gifts, and began hosting events to bring the community back through the doors.
Demanding situations reveal two types of people: the victim and the hero. The victim cowers in crisis; the hero grabs their cape. My team and I decided that if we were going to go down, we would go down swinging. We threw every bit of energy and heart we had into those changes. My team worked their tails off, and because of that collective “hustle,” we hit our profitability goal two months ahead of schedule.
A Community-Powered Success
While the strategy saved the business, the community sustained it. The support we’ve received these many months in Franklinton has been overwhelming—from neighbors attending our special events to friends recommending us to everyone they know. This experience taught me the ultimate business lesson: when you serve your customers with genuine love and intention, success isn’t just a goal—it’s an inevitability. We survived the “sprint” of 2025, and today, I am so proud to say we didn’t just save a marketplace; we revived a community hub. It’s a space that feels like home should!
Any advice for managing a team?
If I had to boil my leadership philosophy down to two words, they would be: Be honest. The one thing your team needs most is for you to be exactly who you really are. Leadership isn’t about being a perfect, unreachable figure; it’s about being a grounded one. I believe in setting crystal-clear boundaries and expectations from day one. I also believe in the power of admitting when I fail or drop the ball. When you are vulnerable as a leader, it gives your team the psychological safety to be honest with you, too.
Managing high morale doesn’t mean avoiding the hard conversations. In fact, true morale is built on a foundation of fairness. I make it a priority to reward excellence, but I also hold people accountable for their choices. Consistency can be painful, and sticking to your standards when things get tough is one of the hardest parts of the job, but it is a non-negotiable part of leadership. Your team needs to know exactly where the lines are drawn and that those lines don’t move based on your mood.
The second half of my advice is simple: Don’t forget to have fun. Teams bond over food and shared experiences. Whether we are hosting a team game night, going out for a nice dinner, or just treating the crew to coffee, those moments outside the “to-do list” are where the real culture is built. We also have a group chat where we share memes and goof off, which keeps the energy light even during busy seasons.
Ultimately, I make it a point to get to know each member of my team as an individual. Your team is your greatest asset, but they are also your most expensive one—both in terms of finances and emotional energy. Build it wisely. When you invest in your people with love, intention, and high standards, they don’t just work for you; they grow with you.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.shiplapandsage.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shiplapsage
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shiplapsage
Image Credits
Kate Pope