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| Once upon a time there was a little country girl with dreams bigger than her over-sized purple glasses & imagination more vivid than her favorite red cowgirl boots. What others saw as an ordinary yellow playhouse, this little girl saw as her first workshop. When other kids had imaginary friends, this little dreamer was creating imaginary businesses. Molly Dendy was born 26 years ago in that tiny yellow playhouse in rural South Arkansas. Founded by Jamie Ann Johnson, Molly Dendy is the namesake of her great-great grandmother (Molly Hill) and her great grandmother (Louise Dendy). The culmination of nearly 30 years of dreaming and designing, Molly Dendy is driven by much more than vivid dreams and unbelievably stubborn determination. Faith and passion are the cornerstones of this flourishing business and two of the most defining characteristics of this young designer. According to Jamie, "there are enough products in this world...the last thing I want to do is offer people another product!". "You know how on even a really bad day, a song comes on the radio and you just can't help but smile? That's how I want my designs to be. Every time you grab one of our totes to head out the door for a busy day, slide on our sandals when you're getting ready for a job where you don't feel appreciated, or throw on one of our aprons when you're just feeling blah...I want my designs to make you smile, even when you don't feel like it!". Jamie's desire is clear, to share her designs with girls and women of all ages while offering them inspiration and encouragement. "I spent years wrapped up in the 'real world', trying to fit in with the mainstream. It took being broken in virtually every aspect of my life to re-connect with that tiny flame inside of me that never gave up...that little light that was too faithful and stubborn to just die out when the harsh realities of life tried so hard to extinguish it. I know all too well the pain and suffering of living life without joy and hope". For Jamie, reigniting that flame and realizing her dream has not been easy. "I started my business with negative $300 in my bank account , a few samples of flip flops with bows on them, and a website I'd been paying on for a while that I just never had the nerve to publish... There's nothing like being broke to make you overcome fears and just get out there and do it!". With a growing customer base from all over the country, Jamie decided to take her business to the next level by hiring some help, re-structuring with all the knowledge gained from her entrepreneurial experience thus far, and operating under a new business name. Formerly Jamie Ann Johnson, Molly Dendy is truly a breath of fresh air in a retail environment full of conformity and mass production. Molly Dendy provides affordable luxury goods and gifts that are handcrafted using only the highest quality materials and methods. "There are so many everyday moments where we just feel defeated. If my designs can help lighten those moments, then I've done part of my job. The larger part of my responsibility is inspiring women to find their own passion". This is something Jamie doesn't take lightly. "My business saved my life. I don't have a husband or children, it's just me and my dog so for me, having a business gave me a reason to wake up and be excited about life. Having a business gave me something to look forward to and invest myself in, it kept me out of trouble! God used my business to bring me back to Him and the faith I'd lost along the way". If you haven't visited Molly Dendy, you should. A trip to their site is like a mini vacation. It's happy, smiley, sunshiny, and just downright fun! -J. Kazawic |