What started with an old camper on Facebook Marketplace has become a blessing greater than Melanie Shead could have imagined.
Melanie has always been a people person with a passion for encouraging women. For years, she taught fitness classes and that was one of many ways God used her to uplift the women around her. However, she always had a dream of opening a business that could bring joy to women through a fun, girly space.
One day, she thought about opening a mobile boutique, which was just the idea she needed to fulfill her lifelong dreams. “I happened to be scrolling through Facebook marketplace and found a camper,” Melanie shares. “Our family transformed the camper into a boutique on wheels.” From there, Honeybee’s Shead was born. Melanie’s mom came up with the idea to name the new mobile glamper boutique “Miss Honey” and it fit perfectly. Shortly after Honeybee’s Shead was created, Melanie and Miss Honey started going to Evans market. Soon, Melanie was taking Miss Honey and doing pop-ups, visiting schools for teacher appreciation days, and going to events for ladies across the CSRA. Honeybee’s Shead has also gained a VIP group on Facebook that has become a community of women bonding over Miss Honey and the unique boutique experience she offers.
Not only has Miss Honey brought the community together but has been a bonding experience for the Shead family as they work together on the business. “It’s been such a great thing for our family. I couldn’t do it without my husband, Roger, and daughter, Maddie,” Melanie shares. “Roger pulls Miss Honey to all the events and Maddie helps me set up, manage the online side of Honeybee’s Shead, and gives me ideas for clothing to buy.” Melanie’s sons also encourage her, and her parents are always available to be a sounding board. Melanie recognizes how God has blessed her family through the business and how it’s truly a family affair that has been used to touch many lives.
For Melanie and her family, having a mobile boutique is about much more than just selling clothes. “Honeybee’s Shead is about coming as you are and feeling welcomed and valued,” she says. “I never thought having a camper could reach so many people, but a lot of our customers have become like family to us.” Melanie has the unique opportunity to get to know the styles of her regular customers and cater to their needs, encouraging and serving them in that way. “When I shop, I have so many different women in mind and I’ll see something and know that it’s their thing,” she says. “It’s been so neat.” Melanie serves her customers with the hope that every woman who comes into Honeybee’s Shead leaves feeling more uplifted and confident than when she arrived.
Melanie is also passionate about having clothing in her mobile boutique that appeals to different ages, sizes, and styles. “We carry a variety,” she explains. “Anything from church dresses to casual, comfortable clothes to sports and boho styles.” Melanie loves denim, patchwork, vibrant colors, and 1970s styles, so she enjoys incorporating those into her selection as well. She picks out clothes based on quality and comfort while keeping everything adorable and affordable for customers.
This month, four years after Honeybee’s Shead started, Melanie is opening Honeybee’s Haven inside Trendz Salon—a companion shop to Honeybee’s Shead that stays in one place and allows Melanie to connect in new ways with her customers. “One of my greatest passions is building relationships,” she shares. “Honeybee’s Haven will give me a place to spend more intentional time with women throughout the week.” While the mobile boutique will still be very present in the community, Melanie is excited for this new extension of what she loves so much. “My prayer is that it becomes more than a boutique,” she explains, “but that it will be a warm, welcoming space where women can enjoy all that both Trendz and Honeybee’s Haven have to offer.”
Whether women visit the mobile boutique or the Haven in Trendz, Melanie’s hope remains the same: “If someone leaves Honeybee’s feeling a little more beautiful, encouraged, and knowing they have a friend in me, we’ve accomplished much more than selling an outfit.”
Follow along on Facebook and Instagram, @HoneybeesShead, and www.HoneybeesShead.com to stay updated on events, popups, and Honeybee’s Haven.
“If someone leaves Honeybee’s feeling a little more beautiful, encouraged, and knowing they have a friend in me, we’ve accomplished much more than selling an outfit.”