We then that are strong ought to bear the infirmities of the weak, and not to please ourselves. (Romans 15:1 KJV)
Mc-COLL-ED TO DUTY
We begin with a memorable, yet tear-jerking, feel good story, one that only McColl T. Sims could eloquently tell.
“Inspiring others is so important to me,” Sims, during an interview this week with Making Headline News, said, recalling an awe-inspiring encounter that took place a little more than a decade and-a-half ago. “I can remember during my junior year in high school around prom season. My mother was going through a very tough financial hardship and struggling to keep things afloat. When my mother and my sister asked if I wanted to attend my junior prom, I lied and told them that I wasn’t interested in going.”
Deep down inside, however, Sims knew full well she wanted to join her friends and classmates for such a memorable occasion.
“I knew inside that my attending prom was something that my mother could not afford at that time,” Sims explained. “So, one day when I came home from school, a beautiful peach mermaid style dress was waiting at home for me. My sister and her good friend, Jessica Marshall, came together with what little (money) they had and sent me to my junior prom.”
CONNECT WITH MODISH: https://www.facebook.com/brand.modish912/
For Sims, it was a surprising, yet emotional turn of events she contends will remain dear to heart for the rest of her life.
Most importantly, though, Sims essentially had come away with a pivotal life lesson, of sorts, amid arguably one of her fondest high school memories.
“I will never forget what they did for me,” Sims said. “Upon starting my business, I knew that I wanted to be a village keeper and pay it forward by giving back to my community.”
To her credit, Sims is doing just that, having established a thriving, credible business venture known as “Modish,” her Savannah, Georgia-based online clothing boutique that’s centered largely on making dreams realities for young ladies, particularly those who are in dire need of a breakthrough — just as Sims was back in the day.
“My dream is to eventually turn my online business of Modish into a brick and mortar right here in Savannah, Georgia,” Sims said.
An endeavor that went into its infancy stages in April of last year — that is when Sims had an official logo designed — Sims’ online boutique officially opened for business in November 2019, thus capping off a long-awaited dream for which she had envisioned for some time.
Much to her delight, Sim’s Modish has been nothing short of remarkable since its inception.
“My competitive drive plays a huge part in the start of Modish,” Sims said. “I’ve noticed many other women starting clothing brands in my area, but none of these brands were offering the types of fashions that I would personally wear. I’ve always had a knack for being able to piece together fashions in ways that others wouldn’t typically do so. So, I finally stepped out on faith and decided I would bring forth a brand for women that had a similar style as myself.”
While other online boutiques have emerged in Savannah and the surrounding areas, Sims is blessed of the fact that she’s armed with an array of creativity through her venture, a trend that has, by all accounts, placed her in an entirely different fashion bracket as her competitors.
“Running this business requires for me to allow my creativity to flourish,” said Sims, who business caters to women of all ages and ethnic groups. “I’m always excited when shopping for the brand. I literally will stay up until the wee hours of the night, researching and finding pieces for Modish.”
As Sims acknowledged, she doesn’t mind all of the background and behind-the-scenes preparation that are essential for enhancing what undoubtedly is shaping up to become one of the South’s finest clothing boutiques.
“Whenever your passion is incorporated into it, it’ll never be considered work,” Sims said. “I’m literally doing what God has gifted me with. It’s an amazing feeling when I get emails or text messages from women, telling me how much they love their pieces.”
For some of her clients, Sims’ influence has been such that she has greatly inspired them to start a relatively new trend through their respective wardrobe.
“I recently received a message from a woman who purchased a backless dress from my brand,” Sims recalled. “She’s always been against wearing her arms and back out, but she stepped out of her comfort zone and purchased the dress anyway. She relayed how much she loved her dress, and this would be her first time wearing this style of dress. I’m now in the position to inspire and encourage women of all ages and sizes to be comfortable in their own skin and to slaw while doing so…and that is a beautiful feeling.”
Very much like that memorable, yet tear-jerking story, one that only Sims could tell.
A story that, all things considered, has greatly helped shape Sims into the big-hearted businesswoman for whom she is widely known.
“Once I started Modish, I reintroduced my prom sponsorship as The Ultimate Prom Production by Modish,” Sims said. “Myself along with nine other ladies, all came together to send another well-deserving young lady from our city off to prom.
Mc-COLL-ED TO SLAY
“Everything for hair, makeup, shoes, accessories, (among other essentials) were being sponsored through The Ultimate Prom Production,” Sims continued. “To me, this is what it’s all about, paying it forward and making a difference. I feel we as citizens are to be held accountable and held to a certain standard for helping our own people. We can’t look for others to do the things that we aren’t even willing to do.”
What a difference her junior year of high school has made.
For more information about Savannah, Georgia-based Businesswoman McColl T. Sims of Modish, to inquire about her company or The Ultimate Prom Production by Modish, a public appearance or speaking engagement or book signing, call (404) 913-3777 or connect with her via social media at Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brand.modish912/; Instagram: @brand.modish. Also, send email to: [email protected].
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EDITOR’S NOTE: If you are an entrepreneur, business owner, producer, author, athlete, musician, barber, life coach, motivational speaker, cosmetologist, tax preparer, model, or pastor/minister who is seeking exposure and would like to share your story with an in-depth news feature, call Reporter Andre Johnson at 901-690-6587 or Facebook message him under “Andre T. Johnson” for details.
Andre Johnson is the award-winning Founder and Publisher for Making Headline News. A 2000 graduate of the University of Memphis School of Journalism and a former staff reporter of sports for the Memphis Commercial Appeal newspaper, Johnson covers the NBA Southwest Division from Dallas, Texas. To reach Johnson, send email to [email protected] or to [email protected]. Also, follow him on Twitter @AJ_Journalist or Instagram at @makingheadlinenews.