Hobby Turns Into Small Business, ‘Mimi’s Accessories,’ For This Teen Entrepreneur

Mimi’s Accessories & More didn’t start off as an accessories business. Fourteen-year-old Marchaun “Mimi” Holmon, an incoming Dyett HS freshman, would simply spend time making bracelets with her grandmother for “fun.” The favorite pastime soon turned into a small business when her grandmother noticed that she showed talent, said the teen entrepreneur.

“I started making bracelets when I was in fifth grade with her,” Mimi said. “One day she was like, ‘You’re really good at making them, you should try to make money from them and put it up for college.’”

Taking her grandmother’s advice, she began selling her beaded bracelets to classmates and family for $0.50.

“It went from just selling bracelets, to scarves, glasses, cufflinks, socks, bow ties, neckties, just all types of accessories, including purses and bookbags,” Mimi said. “It just blossomed into something really big, and I didn’t expect it to go that way.”

She started with accessories for women, but has since expanded to men and children.

The bracelets are made by hand, and she purchases the other accessories via wholesale. Except for the purses, everything is $10 or less.

“I think the reason she gets so much business is because she doesn’t want to increase her prices, she wants everyone to enjoy,” said her mother, Michelle Jefferson, who also helps her set up pop-up shops at local churches, school assemblies, and private home visits for friends and family.

“I’ve always tried to be an example for her,” she said. “I believe I’m a very hard worker and I always tell her school is so important because ‘I want you to be able to be self-sufficient when you become an adult.’”

Mimi said she’s not sure if she wants to continue the business beyond college, but that she has definitely gained experience and skills she sees herself using in the future. She dreams of opening her own dance studio one day. The business has given her the tools she said she needs.

“It’s helped me become more of a person who talks to new people,”she said. “I wasn’t the shy kid, but I wasn’t super loud and outgoing either, so having this business let’s me talk to new people so it’s been a good experience.”

Right now, she’s looking forward to high school where she will continue pursuing her love of dance, said Jefferson.

“She’s an excellent singer, dancer, actor, so it was a no brainer to go to Dyett. It was just meant for her, a perfect fit.”

“I came home and said, ‘I found my people,’” said Mimi.