Melissa Dooley found the perfect match for her love of fashion and being an entrepreneur using her sales background.
Melissa has launched her own business as a consultant/coach with LuLaRoe, a company that provides an affordable and comfortable clothing line in addition to providing a fair wage for its labor work force. The company also promotes the well-being of families and believes in serving others, treating its consultants as part of a big family.
LuLaRoe offers leggings, shirts, skirts, and dresses that are affordable, comfortable, and fashion forward for women, children and also offers a small line of men’s/boys apparel. The company has a patent on their brushing process to add that “buttery” feel to its fabrics. It also has a unique waistband on its leggings that provide comfort and flexibility. Eighty percent of the clothing lines are named after the owners’ family members.
After the birth of their daughter in 2014, Melissa did not want to go back to work but rather wanted to be able to stay home and raise their daughter. Working at home and starting her own business was one option that crossed her mind
During her downtime, Melissa started to make hairbows to sell and had posted a picture of her and her daughter in leggings on social media. From there, interest grew and the business idea was hatched.
She had previously been at an event and saw the success. She quickly reached out via social media who would be interested in a legging party and 30 responses came back.
Melissa began her own branch of LuLaRoe that served Lower Bucks County by the end of 2014 and already had two team members on board by February 2015.
At that time, LuLaRoe was in its infancy and there were no consultants in our area. Melissa said joining the company was a big step in commitment but she realized the flexibility of setting your own schedule all the meanwhile being able to spend time with their daughter.
With showing parities every night of the week to get the business off the ground and with her fiance, Nick Rosado, working long hours, the couple was having to rely on babysitters and family to care for their daughter in their absence.
That started the wheels in motion for Nick to ask Melissa if coming on board with the business would help grow LuLaRoe. He said he saw the positive culture supported by the brand and decided to make a career change. After Melissa made a phone call to the founder of the company, DeAnne Stidham, for feedback, Stidham said “it will absolutely change your life:. “And it did”.
The decision Melissa said has paid off.
“The partnership has worked well and allows both of us to spend more time with our daughter,” Melissa said.
“You always have to be smiling,” Nick said of working to sell LuLaRoe goods.
Melissa, who is from Levittown, shortly will attain the role of mentor. LuLaRoe has four levels in the company – fashion consultant, trainer, coach, and mentor. Melissa still averages about 2 to 3 showings a week and takes a management role with her team.
If you would like to learn more information about joining Melissa’s LuLaRoe team, she can be contacted at dooley.melissa@comcast.net or https://www.facebook.com/groups/lulaleggings/
LuLaRoe fashion predictions run a year ahead of time through a top designer doing market research to find the best fit for customers, Melissa said.
LuLaRoe’s mission statement is “we create freedom by serving others and strengthen families, a place where lives are being blessed and dreams are being achieved through love, purpose, confidence, trust, and growth”.
For Melissa and Nick, their job helps them feel good about being able to help others.