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

Hi Monique, thanks for joining us today. So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?

Swanky Lady Couture has evolved from a ladies clothing boutique where I create unique apparel and accessories to a Self-care Event brand that includes holistic health products and services. My mission has always been to support women in looking & feeling beautiful, however, after working a career in education for 21+ years and battling high levels of stress and fatigue my focus changed. As a mother, wife and educator my body was showing signs of breaking down at a young age. I had no idea that stress can show up as inflammation, an auto-immune disease, constant eye twitching and migraines. I loved my role in education because I have a huge heart for others, but without proper self-care, I was headed in the wrong direction. During COVID, my business slowed down significantly and I used that time to really reflect on the impact that I wanted to make in the world. I started studying herbs and holistic health, got certified and quit teaching. I practiced on myself and my family for several years and am just now bringing this new manifestation of Swanky Lady Couture to the public. My focus now is on hosting small scale events in collaboration with other small business owners that are anchored in joy, connection and healing. We make the largest impact at the local level which is why building strong relationships is so important.

Monique, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I started my ladies clothing boutique because I love unique prints and looks. I LOVE to design and style so it was a natural fit for me. Women would always have a strong, positive reaction to my designs because the patterns were different and hard to find. Over time, my career in education took a toll on my health and I looked to my business to balance out the stress in my life. It worked until COVID hit and I had to sit down like the rest of the world. During this time of deep reflection, I took stock of my life goals and personal issues with my health and a new version of my brand was born. I wasn’t the only teacher who had developed health problems from the stress of the job and this led me to start looking into holistic health. As my time in teaching came to an end, I put what I was learning into direct instruction with my students and colleagues. It made a huge difference when I added a diffuser to my space with calming essential oils, or when I had students do a mindfulness activity or plant a garden at school. The social-emotional needs were not being addressed in tangible ways and that is how I evolved post-COVID. I combine collaboration with other small businesses, with tangible self-care exercises and products for my clients to create unique self-care events. This summer, for example, I have partnered with 2 local coffee shops and a winery to offer a flower bar, a small vendor market and community connection on a small scale.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

One lesson that I had to unlearn is that success is measurable in money. This is a lie. Success is determined by daily habits, personal growth and a willingness to take accountability for all areas of my life. Once I started studying holistic health and recognized that I needed stronger boundaries and a change in my career path, I was forced to study new information and learn new things. The things that I was learning about emotional regulation, the impact of hormones and how small things like journaling or taking daily walks did not have a price tag, but they made me a better woman, which in turn helped my business grow in new ways. I had to come to really understand that my thoughts are things and the pathways of my mind are the biggest influence on my goals and dreams in this life. Once I learned that success can be qualitative and that self-care was required, my health improved dramatically. I was doing what I was taught: go to college, get a career and climb the ladder. I was looking at my salary as the indicator for success at the expense of my mind and body. Now that I have a new mindset and I can teach others how to practice, in small ways, each day habits that work for them to pour into themselves and build themselves up in love and care.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

What has helped me to build my reputation in my market are consistency and communication. I value my time and I don’t waste it. I believe that communication sets the expectation so that others are not left guessing about what they will experience when working with me. I am a timely person who follows up with clients and is willing to answer their questions. If a person has a negative experience with me, and people do because personalities clash or signals get crossed, I try to resolve issues in a professional way. I also set and hold strong boundaries which means that I am not afraid to walk away from a situation that is not in alignment with my brand.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.swankyladycouture.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/swankyladycouture
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/swankyladycouture
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/monique-marshall-076b1a344/

Image Credits

Photography from the Wayne County Mother’s Day Market event was done by Evermore Birth & Family Photgraphy.