Today we’d like to introduce you to Michelle Puckett.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Michelle. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I have a nonprofit, Blooming Butterflies since 2010. My son, Charles Puckett and I formed this nonprofit after Charles was hit by a drunk driver while he was driving home from work, March 15, 2003, and they left him to die in the road, breaking his motorcycle into two pieces. Life-flight lifted him to the trauma center downtown, and this is where I sat on a stool in ICU for two months. Praise God, he lived and was left with a paralyzed left arm; we are still researching the complete healing in his arm. It was tough times; my vehicle was stolen, I road a bicycle to pick up my son’s medication, groceries and errands. I could not leave Charles for any length of time; I was his caregiver. We formed Blooming Butterflies to give back to others who needed help in life situations as we have experienced. I deliver donated clothing and items to 12 battered women shelters, lonely elderly, nursing homes, and hospitals.
On August 30, 2011, I found a CraigsList advertisement for a consignment store; Designer Exchange was for sale in Sugar Land, Texas. I was driving in this area the next day, so I thought I would check it out. Mind you, I had a business writing grants since 1995, and I felt in my heart I should check out this consignment store since I owned one in 1995 in Louisiana, two other businesses and I worked for a Correctional Facility sting operation.
I arrived at a 1700 sf consignment store; two sweet ladies were working. However, one lady felt she should talk to me and tell me if I would buy the store from the owner, she would give me her word she would stay and volunteer and help me. She had read about how I have a nonprofit, Blooming Butterflies and how I take donated clothing to the needy. I spoke to the owner, and we made a deal the next day, and on Sept 1, 2011, I owned a small consignment store.
For the past two years, I would drive by building in a shopping center off of Westheimer that had been vacant for ten years and was owned by a church. I would stop at least three times a week and pray I could rent this building and move the 1700 sf store from Sugar Land to the 8,500 sf location on Westheimer. Almost one year later, I rent the building and move the store. My impressive team and I worked hard setting up the new site and built up our customers. Started in Sugar Land with 2,000 consignors and after almost two years we had 5,000 consignors. The church decided to sell the shopping center in 2014, and everyone had to move.
I found a shopping center, about 2 miles up Westheimer with over 20,000 sf. The building was in HORRIBLE condition; however, I went back and took my manager, Carole Barela. We went together so I could see her reaction to this building that would need a lot of work and I knew the only person that would see what I saw could be Carole. We walked into together, and I was waiting for her to look at me and ask me if I was crazy; that did not happen. She saw what I saw, and we began to work day and night on the new location while running the store at the 8,500 sf location.
I decided to rebrand the store, and I did. I created Designer Diva Resale, designed the logo, marketed the new location, and we moved in on November 4, 2014. Three years later, we have almost 10,000 consignors and an excellent store. We have a runway for special events and fundraisers. Blooming Butterflies is located in the warehouse area of Designer Diva, donating 3,000 sf to my nonprofit. We hold garage sale fundraisers 1-2 times monthly. All proceeds go to Blooming Butterflies to buy hygiene products, shampoos, combs, brushes, and necessities to make “Baskets of New Life” which I deliver to the battered women shelters in private locations.
Carole is an Image Consultant and can dress women from head to toe, just by looking at her. We have a beautiful, well organized, clean store. Everything is categorized, sized and colorized, with twenty-eight glass jewelry display cases. We have an on-site Parisian Seamstress, Mona Chaaboui who studied in Paris France and worked for Neimans for 22 years.
We only have hard-working volunteers who make up a strong, dedicated, loyal team. I am thankful for the opportunities given every day. Our Maintenance Supervisor, Russell Johnson has been volunteering for ten years, and he keeps the store in tip top shape and clean. Russell helps me with the sorting of the donated items and setting up for the garage sale fundraisers. We also have Sassy Angel Eyes, my Labrador, who is a comfort service dog. Sassy goes with me to work each day greeting customers and making them smile. Sassy also goes to all shelters, assisted living homes, nursing homes, and hospitals bringing love and laughter. Sassy bows down to pray and does many tricks making the grouchiest person smile, feel good and most definitely loved.
I have always helped people since I was a little girl. I was born to help others and be a leader. I am a strong woman who handles many challenges each day. Hurricane Harvey did cause approximately $400K damage and my team, and I are taking this challenge and will pull through together.
Why I wanted Designer Diva Resale, you ask, I want to help as many women save as much money so they may own nice designer clothing at a fraction of the price.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Honestly, I do not know what I smooth road feels like. I had a contractor whom I taught to write grants and assist me with my other company. She decided after five years to steal my identity and hurt me. The identity theft takes years and years to clean up and it destroys your credit. I have NEVER been able to get a business loan, capital, or money to assist me with my businesses.
Hurricane Harvey caused approximately $400K damages and filing claim after claim and still waiting for help and praying my claims go through so I may recover the money I lost. I personally work as a contractor. a second, third or maybe a fourth job and all the money I make I put back into Designer Diva Resale and Blooming Butterflies.
My son needing a muscle or stem cell injections to heal his paralyzed arm and pain he endures 24/7 is a daily prayer. My brother has been in the hospitals for 950 days with his loving wife of 44 years never leaving his side, not once. I am their advocate as well. So, I feel I can honestly say, “I do not know what a smooth road feels like.”
Please tell us about Designer Diva Resale.
We have Designer clothing, but not designer prices! We are the Largest Designer Resale Store in Texas. The store is laid out for serious shopping with sized 00-22. The store is categorized, sized and colorized for easy, strategic shopping. We have Jewelry & Designer Handbag section where most of the high-end accessories are grouped by designer plus 28 glass showcases full of gorgeous jewelry. Designer Diva believes in recycling furs to protect the wildlife. We have female-pelt full-length mink, lynx, sheared beaver coats.
We have a substantial Bridal Department including veils, tiaras. Bouquets, and bridal accessories. We have a Parisian Fashion Designer/Seamstress who can design and sew your dream dress, minks, home decor and you can bring in your items from home and use our fashion designer/seamstress, even if it was not purchased from Designer Diva Resale.
Designer Diva Resale specialized in evening clothing from prom dresses to St. John evening attire. We have one of the largest and best selection of St. John. Again, we have a Parisian seamstress who received her degree in Fashion Design from Paris, France, who specializes in fur, bridal, lingerie, and custom made items. If an article needs alteration, all you need do is consult with our seamstress to see if it will work for you!
Designer Diva Resale has a professional image consultant who can outfit you from head to toe.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
I feel the experiences and challenges I have gone through and will continue to go through make me what I am today, a strong, smart, caring, loyal, dedicated, loving woman I am today.
Pricing:
- Currently, we have a 75% OFF storewide clearance sale on items under $50 with some exclusions
- Currently, we have a 50% OFF storewide clearance sale on gowns, cocktails, separates under $100
- Currently, we have a 20% OFF storewide clearance sale on all items with some exclusions
Contact Info:
- Address: 11324 Westheimer Road
Houston, Texas 77077 - Website: www.designerdivallc.com
- Phone: 281-497-6991
- Email: designerdivallc@gmail.com
- Instagram: designerdivaresale
- Facebook: designerdivaresale
- Twitter: @designerdivallc
Getting in touch: VoyageHouston is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
