Meet Melissa Strongin of Crowned By Grace Boutique

Today we’d like to introduce you to Melissa Strongin.

Hi Melissa, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I started my business “Crowned by Grace” with a simple T-shirt idea that said, “Shine Bright for Jesus.” I then began journaling all of my ideas for t-shirt designs and ideas for my ministry in journals in 2016 and 2017. I didn’t really know how to get started at the time…. so I put my journal away. When the COVID-19 pandemic hit the nation, God reminded me to start again with my ministry and my t-shirt business.

I was still stuck on where and how to start. I was scrolling on Instagram, and I came across Stephanie Rodnez, who teaches classes on how to start your own t-shirt business. The Holy Spirit led me to her… this is what I needed. Did I mention she is Godly too? Yes, this is what I was searching for all along. Now I’m taking her “Godlywood Girl University” and she is amazing. My ministry is blossoming and growing! Thank you, Jesus.

For the past year, I’ve created an extensive line of products and switched from the Etsy platform to Shopify at crownedbygrace.boutique, which features a wide array of apparel and accessories.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Like any newly formed retail business, there have been bumps along the way. As I’ve been on this journey, I feel the challenges that come up are a series of learning experiences. As long as I’m learning something, every challenge, or even failure… gets me closer to my goal.

As a perfectionist, I spent much time making sure each product that I added to my store was perfect. At one point, my husband said, “You have to get this launched already. You cannot wait until everything is perfect. Instead of ready-aim-fire, you need to change that to “ready-fire-aim”… and course-correct as you go.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Ever since I was a little girl creating miniature clothes for my Barbie dolls, I have loved to be creative. In addition to designing all of the merchandise for Crowned by Grace, I also sing! I primarily sing contemporary Christian songs, along with opera and Gospel, using my high soprano vocal style. I recently released a single on all platforms, called “Overflowing Love” that is available.

Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
My advice for those who are starting out is not to give up. Every endeavor is an uphill climb, and I’m still on my own journey. The thing that I wish I had known when I was starting out is that failure is something that will happen. You just need to push through. Michael Jordan missed more shots than the shots he hit. The Beatles had to practice in tiny clubs for thousands of hours before they were discovered. Even Jeff Bezos, arguably the best-known online store owner, started small and worked hard for many years to build Amazon up to the level it’s at now. Keep on keeping on!

Contact Info:

• Website: http://crownedbygrace.boutique
• Instagram: @crownedbygrace07
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/crownedbygrace07
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCX6oOEqRqY2BTwF_p1HYcuQ