Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Mechelle Dixon. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Mechelle , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?

I have two passions that have been released around the same time.. Which is odd for me because my personality type is step by step, one thing at a time. Until I had someone pour into me and encourage me that everything doesn’t have to be linear. It was after I had my youngest daughter that I took that freeing statement and ran with it and started my online jewelry store Caliah Simone. I am an older mama with my oldest being 21 and middle daughter the age 15, youngest and last 15months. Being an older mommy means all I have in me is mascara, lip gloss and an AMAZING pair of earrings to get me through the day! I’d always been complimented on my taste in earrings so with that passion and eye came this beauty accessory family, knowing other mama’s felt the same way! Caliah Simone is also my daughter’s name that resulted in an infant loss for our family. It’s a name that holds my heart tightly. In her honor, everything handpicked we meticulously make space for the best pieces to create joy in your life when you wear them.

My other passion is also my spiritual gift which is the gift of exhortation. Meaning the gift of encouragement. Everywhere I go whether it is the grocery store, hiking and or any place I can engage with a person I’ve always been told “I don’t know what it is about you but I can tell you anything, your energy is so calming, your voice is so calming”. People are my passion and helping people reach a goal doing what I know has worked with me through encouragement brings me to tears just explaining this. If one person I connect with can leave me feeling encouraged and that they matter, I’ve done my purpose. The Exhortation Place is an environment of empowerment, intentionality, love and most important celebration! The fact that I was led to do both has been mind blowing and fulfilling.

Mechelle , 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?

I am the mother of 3 beautiful children and a wife, sister and friend. Roles I take very seriously and love on them in their own individual ways.. I am also a behavioral therapist/Lactation counselor. Which are ALL things that have prepared me to pour into others. I’ve had to create spaces to find out what I needed to stay on top of and keep organized to cover all the bases required to just keep going. The thing about The Exhortation Place is it’s not just a business but a ministry, a calling. Every single journey offered I was led to provide. Every single thing I create is intentional. My passion for people is intentional, my passion for love is intentional, my passion for spreading kindness is intentional.  It is hard to explain it other than it’s just who I am everywhere I go.  What I’d like for client’s future followers and fans to know is that they are enough and they matter! And if you struggle with any of those statements I like to be your purpose partner and fix that heart posture so that you can receive that from those that love you and in life. Everything I suggest I’ve struggled with my own self so I understand first hand not being able to receive

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

Caliah Simones fills me in more ways than one. Each time I get to talk about it or invite someone to my store it’s honoring my daughter, giving life behind her even though I can’t in the natural. This is literally my baby, her beautiful name I can give to the world. So, at caliah simone we meticulously handpick everything to make space for the best pieces to create joy in your life when you wear them. Quality over quantity so our stock isn’t going to be huge. We encourage customers to get a piece when you see it because when you come back it might be gone just to ensure the very best quality control.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

That I wasn’t enough and that I couldn’t make a difference by starting a business. As a young girl your worth is established by the way your parents/family treat and or respond to you. When there is a lack in those spaces you’re left to create and make up your own understanding of who you are and what you deserve. That way of thinking can really impact you and what you do. Finding my courage to give this passion of encouragement to the world is the best result of unlearning truths that unfortunately held some of my purpose living back.  It didn’t happen overnight and I didn’t do it alone. God, therapy and an AMAZING tribe of people all around me.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.caliahsimone.com/ https://www.exhortationplace.com/
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/caliahsimone?igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA==
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100092202744411

Image Credits
Chasidy Dixon