I can hardly find the words to express the appreciation I have for where I am today. I have so much love for my hometown of Concord and the small-town pride that makes this community so special. Being able to contribute to the city through MJ’s and continue the tradition of a true “mom & pop” shop has been one of the most rewarding parts of my journey. What began as a dream has grown into something I am incredibly proud of, and after more than eight years in business, I am even more grateful for the community that has supported us along the way.

Each phase of my life has played a strategic part in the path I am on today. Looking back, I can see how it was all a part of a greater plan that began unfolding in June 2018 and came to life when we officially opened our doors on November 18, 2018! It’s fascinating to see how every experience, opportunity, and challenge has helped shape MJ’s into what it is today. Honestly, that’s why I’m so determined to keep the brand very “me.” Not because I think I’m the coolest person ever—because hello, do you know me? LOL—but because I look at the young woman I was when this dream began and see how far God has brought me through His grace and the faith I placed in Him to lead me where I was meant to be. That same faith continues to guide me as we grow, evolve, and find new ways to serve our community.

A little personal background about me: I come from a HUGE, very close-knit family and am the middle child of six—Maddie, Dillon, Jake, Jerod, and James. I graduated from First Assembly Christian School and attended the University of North Carolina at Charlotte. As a competitive dancer since the age of two, I took my dancing career to the collegiate level and cheered on the sidelines as a Charlotte 49er Gold Duster! Today, I have the pleasure of teaching the most amazing kiddos at the very studio where I trained, Dance Productions the Remix. My family, faith, and the experiences that have shaped me continue to be a huge part of who I am, both personally and as a business owner.

My past pageant experiences have always been an influential part of my life. I won the NC Cinderella State title in 2000 (gee, that makes me feel old!), and my mom actually took over the directorship, which made me eligible to compete at the International pageant each year. I participated in local “Little Miss” pageants here and there across our region of the state, but it wasn’t until November 2010 that I ventured out to compete in my first Miss America’s Outstanding Teen preliminary. I went on to capture the title of Miss North Carolina’s Outstanding Teen in 2011 and proceeded to make the Top 12 at Miss America’s Outstanding Teen. I then held the title of Miss NC Teen United States in 2012.

During my freshman year of college, I shifted back to the Miss America’s Outstanding Teen organization and continued to serve under three local titles: Cabarrus County, Queen City, and Mecklenburg County. The growth I experienced throughout those years prepared me for the moment I was crowned Miss North Carolina in 2016. I was awarded a Non-Finalist Talent Award and was thrilled to return home to our great Southern state after one of the most amazing years of my life!

A common theme throughout my Miss North Carolina journey was—and still is—something near and dear to my heart: racing! The “Home of NASCAR” just so happens to be my hometown, and I’m a huge fan of the sport because my dad was a driver himself! His pursuit of his dreams meant that I spent countless hours at the Concord and Charlotte speedways cheering him on, and I still do today for both him and Dillon.

I used my Miss North Carolina experience as my own “race”—not to hurry through the process, but to grow as a young woman through trial, error, and experience. The pageant was the race, and that’s what sparked #RacetotheCrown.

My pit crew was the team of people who helped me get there. I had the adrenaline and drive to become the best version of myself, while the flags, guidelines, and rules kept me on track. There were practice runs, test laps, and plenty of mistakes that helped me work out the kinks and become more confident in who I was. I had sponsors and coaches who genuinely had my best interests at heart, along with people cheering me on from start to finish (and wearing T-shirts with my name on them, hehe!). I raced my final lap as I said farewell to my time as Miss North Carolina, but the lessons I learned along the way never stopped guiding me.

That same racing mindset has been the foundation of MJ’s from the very beginning. I’m either going to give it my all or not do it at all! The unique dynamic of racing was something I knew I wanted to incorporate into the brand, and it continues to influence the way I approach business today. From the smallest details to the bigger picture, I believe that everything matters. There is always room to learn, improve, and find new ways to make the experience better for the people who walk through our doors.

MJ’s would not be where it is today without my parents, family, supporters, and the incredible customers who have been part of this ride. More than eight years later, I am still reminded that there is so much value in learning through experience. You work by testing, absorbing, adjusting, and fine-tuning whatever may be holding you back from reaching your goals. Growth doesn’t happen overnight, and success is never a finish line—it’s a continuous process of showing up, learning, and giving your very best.

That is exactly how I plan to continue bringing the best to the table, staying true to who I am, and keeping MJ’s growing and thriving for years to come. This business is so much more than a brand to me. It is a reflection of my journey, my faith, my family, my hometown, and the dreams that God placed on my heart.

Thank you for being part of our story, supporting a local business, and cheering us on through every lap. We wouldn’t be here without you, and I can’t wait to see what the next chapter holds!