It's A Family Affair

The savvy owner of a décor, clothing and vintage boutique honors her family in all she creates.

- JO-ANNE COLETTI

Michelle McLeod, a native New Yorker now residing in the sunshine state of Florida, is the proud owner of a décor, clothing and vintage boutique, and a leading Instagram influencer (@georgiamaes_athome).

What Michelle’s followers may not know about her is that family is at the heart of everything she does, and two special women are her most treasured muses. Georgia Mae (Michelle’s motherin-law) was her reason for following her dream of opening her own shop. “My mother-in-law gave me the courage to walk away from my 30-year career in the beauty industry to pursue my dream of owning my own business,” says Michelle.

The clothing brand in the shop, Antoinette’s Closet, was inspired by Michelle’s mom. She explains: “My mother never put herself first and selflessly gave to her children first, always making sure our appearance (all 7 of us) was perfect … [A home maintained] on a fixed income never allowed for extras of beautiful clothing for her. That’s why I named it after her.”