Today we’d like to introduce you to Martha E.
Hi Martha, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Some people succumb to pressure while others thrive in it. Entrepreneur, wife, mother, mentor, stylist and CEO Martha E. Elmore of I’MarE Boutique has proven herself to be a diamond as obstacles and her belief in God have helped to shape her life and career.
A Franklin, Louisiana native, Elmore is a woman of faith, family and fashion. Martha started her now thriving and high-profile business from the trunk of her car after being laid off from her accounting job in 2016. After a successful closet sale, Martha took to styling, which led to several plus-size women seeking her expertise.
Elmore is a recipient of a Black History Achievement Award from her hometown for being a stellar entrepreneur. Her mother helped to instill entrepreneurship in her by creating a praise dancing business when she was limited on opportunities in Franklin. From that, Martha taught several women to praise and worship God through the gift of dance. The model takes pride in showing other up-and-coming business owners they can do anything they set their minds to.
Martha has created a lane for providing trendy clothing to the plus size audience and used her personal obstacles in life as learning tools and stepping-stones to help guide her throughout her journey. From Goo Goo Atkins, Tasha Cobbs Leonard, Maranda Curtis and Shana Wilson Williams, Elmore’s brand has been worn by some of the best and most notable entertainers, singers and moguls. The I’MarE Boutique has helped to birth confidence in curvy girls across the globe. Martha has a sister boutique to I’MarE Boutique called the I’ceE Collection, which is inspired by her daughter Iceland. The boutique provides cute, chic and trendy fashions for young women.
Martha has a very decorated resume and has been named a top professional in Houston, awarded her own day in the city of Houston by Mayor Sylvester Turner, a presidential lifetime achievement award by President Joe Biden, and has been featured on platforms such as Fox, NBC, CW, Houston Style, Houston Chronicle, and many others. She strives for excellence and also delivers.
“I am proud of overcoming trials and being successful. I am proud of being able to break generational curses by helping my daughter by gifting her a boutique, and I am proud of being not just a business owner, but a business owner who gives back to others,” Martha said.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
No, it has not been a smooth road to where I am today. As a black entrepreneur, I did not have anyone to guide me through the process of building my brand. I didn’t know if I was filing the correct taxes or using the right insurances. I had no help. But my 2 daughters gave me the courage and confidence to continue building my brand for a better future for them!
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
I’MarE Boutique is an online store that caters to everything a woman needs! I wanted to create a one stop shop where girls are able to get whatever they would need to curate fashionable looks from jeans to athlesiure. I’MarE Boutique also includes plus sizes for our curvy woman out there! As a plus size woman, I enjoy modeling my own clothing as to show my customers what pieces look like on a natural body. I like to ensure that all my customers know exactly what they are getting and how it may look on them.
I’m most proud of my I’CeE Collection as that is my daughter’s project! When my daughter turned 19, she was in college at PVAMU and I would buy her clothes from fashion nova and other places and send them to her. Since the kids on campus knew that her mother owned a boutique they asked if the clothes were from my brand and that made me think “Oh let me tap into this” so I ordered Icee a bunch of clothes and set up a photoshoot for her. I also set up her website and paypal etc. for her to start. She essentially had to come and finish the rest for herself. It meant a lot to me that she accepted it because she is following in my footsteps. She has grown her collection to over six figures and is doing more than well. I couldn’t be more proud!
I also enjoy mentoring other women who are interested in opening up their own business! Since I didn’t have access to any help growing my online boutique, I thought other woman may be in the same boat as I was and could use some help! I love to give back and I have a soft spot in my heart for entrepreneurship. Especially with kids coming out of highschool! My last 2 big awards were giving two 5,000 scholarships to students going to college. These types of initiatives are important to me because I wish I were able to receive help when I was leaving highschool. Help is very hard to get nowadays. I’m also proud of my adult mentorship initiative. I love to help others create and build their businesses!
I have also received numerous accolades like the Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award and my very own day in Houston! It makes me feel VERY good receiving these recognitions! Sometimes I still have those “Thank you Jesus” moments because I really do try to do as much as I can for my followers, customers, and family.
How do you think about happiness?
Seeing my daughter following in my footsteps! I love how I was able to create something for her to grow in the entrepreneur space. Seeing her grow into the young lady she is today is amazing.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://shopimareboutique.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/imareboutique
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/imareboutique
