Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Meredeth Jones. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Meredeth, thanks for joining us today. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?
Our goal is to empower every woman of any age, shape or size, to feel as beautiful on the outside as she is on the inside.
As we age, it is hard to find on-trend and stylish clothing for us gals that are in our 40’s +. I wanted to offer AFFORDABLE high-quality, effortless, classic & on-trend clothing & accessories (XS-4XL) that women of ANY age, shape or size can feel confident in!
By purchasing our collectives, you are paying it forward in the most southern of ways- with subtlety and grace. A portion of every sale goes towards helping a person/family in need.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
The Importance of Size Inclusivity (XS-4X) for Women Over 40 at Southern Soul Collectives
At Southern Soul Collectives, we believe that fashion should be accessible, empowering, and flattering for every woman, regardless of age or body type. Our commitment to size inclusivity, offering styles from XS to 4X, reflects our dedication to celebrating and honoring the diversity of women’s bodies, particularly for women over 40. Here’s why size inclusivity is crucial for our brand and our valued customers:
1. Embracing Body Diversity:
Women over 40 come in all shapes and sizes, and our collection is designed to reflect this beautiful diversity. By offering a wide range of sizes, we ensure that every woman can find clothing that fits her perfectly, making her feel confident and beautiful in her own skin.
2. Empowering Confidence:
Fashion is a powerful tool for self-expression and confidence. For women over 40, wearing clothes that fit well and highlight their personal style can boost self-esteem and reinforce a positive self-image. Our size-inclusive range ensures that no woman feels excluded from experiencing the joy of fashion.
3. Addressing Fashion Industry Gaps:
The fashion industry has historically underserved women over 40, especially in extended sizes. Southern Soul Collectives is dedicated to filling this gap by providing stylish, high-quality clothing that caters to the unique needs and preferences of mature women. This commitment helps to challenge and change outdated industry norms.
4. Enhancing Comfort and Fit:
As women age, their bodies can change, and finding comfortable, well-fitting clothing becomes increasingly important. Our size-inclusive range takes into account the diverse body shapes and proportions of women over 40, ensuring that our garments offer both style and comfort.
5. Building an Inclusive Community:
At Southern Soul Collectives, we strive to build a community where every woman feels seen, valued, and included. By offering sizes from XS to 4X, we create a welcoming environment that celebrates inclusivity and diversity, fostering a sense of belonging among our customers.
6. Promoting Healthy Body Image:
Size inclusivity is integral to promoting a healthy body image. By showcasing and celebrating a variety of body types, we aim to challenge societal beauty standards and encourage women to embrace and love their bodies just as they are.
7. Meeting Customer Demand:
Women over 40 are a significant and discerning segment of the fashion market. By offering a size-inclusive range, we meet the growing demand for fashionable, age-appropriate clothing that caters to this demographic, ensuring that our customers find exactly what they need and desire.
At Southern Soul Collectives, our mission is to provide every woman with the opportunity to look and feel her best, regardless of age or size. Our size-inclusive range, from XS to 4X, is a testament to our commitment to diversity, empowerment, and the celebration of all women. Join us in embracing a fashion-forward future where inclusivity is at the heart of everything we do.
How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?
Being available to answer any questions my customers may have and putting them first. Helping them find the right style and fit for their specific body type.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
The birth of Southern Soul Collectives: By telling my story, I would like to tell yours! An unlikely journey to Entrepreneurship!
A warm and gracious welcome to Southern Soul Collectives!
I am sure you have seen the ‘About Us’ section at the bottom of the site, but just in case, I would love to introduce myself. My name is Meredeth and I am the owner of Southern Soul. A born and raised Georgia peach, I currently live in a town called Sharpsburg, nestled between Peachtree City and Newnan.
A southern girl with an ever wandering gypsy spirit and a love for affordable fashion, SSC was born from a lot of soul searching and asking myself, “what do I want to be when I grow up?” Mind you, I am in my early forties and quite the grown up so this question seems pretty silly to ask at my age. Well, let me tell you how it all began.
One day I was sitting at the bottom of my staircase crying and wondering 1. why do I feel depressed and 2. why am I crying at the bottom of my staircase? Just 6 months prior, I had accepted an Executive-level position at a company and I just knew this was my dream job. Sitting there sobbing, I began combing over my career in sales over the last 20+ years and all the 9-to-5 (more like 24/7 for me) traditional corporate America jobs I had held. Just then, I heard that small still voice in my head and heart say, “YOU are ENOUGH and this is NOT where I want you to be.” What……? As I stopped to listen and make sure I heard correctly, I realized I had been truly miserable over the last several years. See, in sales, you are always under constant pressure and nothing will be or is good enough. Even if you are the rock star top sales person, you must always be doing more. This creates self doubt which in turn makes you feel as though YOU are not enough as a human being.
You know the old saying, “fake it til’ you make it?” Well, that is exactly what I had been doing. At that very moment, once I allowed myself to admit, this was not my dream job, the tears dried up. I felt a weight lift off my shoulders that I had been carrying around for well over 10 years. I was finally free!
Fast forward to today and here I am starting a boutique. This began as something to occupy my time while I figured out what I wanted to be, but has quickly morphed into a way for me to impact others. Not only by providing affordable classic yet trendy clothing & accessories to women of all shapes, sizes and ages but also a way in which I can reach many to lift them up and nurture their souls through their OWN stories. Not only will we start there, but a portion of every sale will go towards helping an individual/family in need. #purchasewithpurpose
My plan is to share the stories of women going through everyday life while tapping into their fashion forward styles (if they are anything like me, majority of days are spent in Athleisure wear).
How do I know I am on the right path being the restless soul that I am? As I sat here typing, I glanced over at my phone and Facebook was up. My sister had just posted something and it was front and center in my feed. What was the post?
She posted, “HE has plans for your future. Walk in your calling” and this verse was below her message:
For surely I know the plans I have for you, says the Lord, plans for your welfare, and not for harm, to give you a future with HOPE. – Jeremiah 29:11
My hope is that you come back often to read and share these inspiring stories, to shop (new collectives drop every weekday) and/or just to say hi.
Be sure to like @southernsoulcollectives on #Facebook to read the latest blog posts and see the latest collectives drop.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://southernsoulcollectives.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/southernsoulcollectives
- Facebook: https://www.facbook.com/southernsoulcollective
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/meredethsjones/
- Other: https://www.pinterest.com/southernsoulcollectives
