If you’ve ever visited my studio, then you’re familiar with Mechelle and her business: Grace & Glam, a Williston, ND boutique for women. Well before I ever starting shooting out of a space in her building, I was a longtime client of Mechelle’s boutique. I knew I wanted to feature her woman owned boutique when the idea for the spotlight series dawned on me!
Back in August of 2016, Mechelle founded Grace & Glam with the hopes of bringing premium quality, timeless clothing pieces to the women of Williston. Her goal was to help her customers feel both loved and beautiful through a Jesus loving, family-oriented business. As a customer of hers, I can confidently say she has more than achieved that dream! Just like the other women featured in this series, Mechelle has an origin story of sorts and it’s rooted in family.
This July, Mechelle and her high school sweetheart will celebrate their 19th wedding anniversary! During that time, they welcomed four children together: Eden (16), Asher (13), Cohen (12), and Everly (10). For 8 years, Mechelle had put her bachelor’s degree to use as a Clinical Lab Scientist right here in Williston, but during her fourth pregnancy, she decided to pour her heart and soul into motherhood as a stay at home mom. It was during that time that she was inspired to open Grace & Glam, and it’s been wildly successful ever since.
She’s been so successful, in fact, that she accomplished buying her building on Main Street. The building is home to Grace & GLam, but it also houses my studio and Room 222, an AirBNB space that other local photographers rent for their session. By pursuing her dream, Mechelle is also able to help support other women in business who are working towards their own. It’s the very definition of women supporting women!
I’m just a hometown girl who loves Jesus.
-Mechelle
Like the rest of us entrepreneurs who are also mothers, Mechelle is open about needing help to balance it all. “I am lucky enough to have both sets of grandparents in town that jump at the chance to help whenever they can,” she answered when asked how she’s able to achieve that balance. “I realized it actually makes you better asking for help.” Aside from her village, Mechelle also discussed the role her faith plays in her daily life, both personally & professionally. The best advice she ever received? Pray about everything. Philippians 4:6.
She brings that same approach to every customer she greets at her Williston, ND boutique. At the end of the day, Mechelle is a hometown girl whose main goal is to bring a glimpse of Jesus to everyone who enters the store. “If I can do just that, it will all be worth it,” she said.
Love, love, love fountain Diet Mt. Dew from Simonsons
Any book by Mark Batterson
Every spring break, we head down to Arizona to Joe’s parents’ and spend the week together. We love every minute of it.
Semi-Sweet Chocolate Chip Cookies
I follow the bag recipe exactly, except instead of two sticks of butter, I use 1 stick of butter and a half stick of Crisco.
Hey, I’m Kellie, a Williston-based branding photographer who focuses on authentic, heartfelt, inspirational photos that tell my clients stories through my lens. Are you a business owner looking to up your marketing game through brand photos that feel like you ? Let’s make it happen! Take a look at my branding packages and let’s chat about how we can make your dream branding photos a reality. Want some inspiration in the meantime? Be sure to follow me on Pinterest or come say hi on IG, FB, and TikTok!
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