We recently connected with Shar Michele and have shared our conversation below.
Shar, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Almost every entrepreneur we know has considered donating a portion of their sales to an organization or cause – how did you make the decision of whether to donate? We’d love to hear the backstory if you’re open to sharing the details.
I donate 10% of sales to a different cause each month. My goal is to promote charitable causes through fashion. I’d like my platform to be big enough to raise awareness of the disparity in the African American community for bone marrow donors. In hopes that we will begin to see a larger registry of donors. Starting in December 2023, 15% of proceeds from my limited edition Enchanting Pearl Clutch will be going to The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. I’ve always wanted to be philanthropic and give back so I decided to combine two things I’m passionate about.
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.
I’m Shar Michele the woman behind the brand Dorothy’s Pearl. I’ve always enjoyed fashion but it was in 2017 that God gave me the vision to start a mobile boutique. My husband and I found a trailer and he gutted it and made my dream a reality. Things were going really well but once the pandemic hit everything slowed down. So in 2022 I made the move to trademark my brand and make my primary goal to push the brand and not just cute items.
I’ve started to collaborate with my daughter who’s drawing a good portion of my designs that I then have produced. Everything I have made is done in small quantities and are rarely if ever reproduced. My objective is to combine functionality and style. While promoting charitable causes through fashion.
In this journey I’ve found myself most proud of my quality of work and ability to communicate with my customers. I want the Pearl’s that shop with me to know they are not just customers but a part of a tribe of Pearl’s all unique and rare. And I also want them to know that just like a pearl unique and rare so are the items they purchase. Our Pearls don’t follow the trends they create them.
But beyond that I want people to know that when they purchase from Dorothy’s Pearl they are helping a cause without being requested to give an additional donation.
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
I have wanted to give up so many times I once went a whole year not promoting the brand or making any sales. I saw my brand as a money pit. It’s difficult being a new brand and getting people to trust you and your products. But I had a friend who encouraged me to pray over my business and to not give up. My friends and family have believed in me in moments that I couldn’t seem to believe in myself. I think surrounding yourself with people that encourage you is important. Everyone won’t believe in you. Everyone won’t support your dream. But the ones that do, more than makeup for those that don’t.
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
When I first started my business it was under a different name. I had a different concept. Then someone started using the same name. At the time I thought that all I needed was to have an LLC. But that was not the case. I encourage anyone that has put time and effort into their brand or business to trademark. I’ve now trademarked both my name and my logo.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.dorothyspearl.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dorothyspearl
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/@SharMichele
Image Credits
Photography by: Zeb Stewart