A country girl from San Antonio, Texas followed her heart to launch her own boutique in Martinez. That’s how Sylvia Brannon would summarize the story of MJC Collections, a clothing store that had its grand opening on Dec. 11.
“A whole bunch of people came out,” said Brannon. “It was really nice. A lot of love was shown.”
MJC Collections majors in keeping its patrons in style. Brannon says its inventory is wide ranging to include chic apparel fitting for professionals going to formal gatherings or young “club hoppers” going for a night on the town.
Among the most popular items on the rack at MJC are the leopard print outfits, jelly purses, designer prints and the black catsuit, which, Brannon notes, ladies “can’t go without.”
While most of the selection is women’s clothing, the store also offers men’s fashions. And because Brannon is a mother with small children, she notes, she made sure to also include stylish clothes for kids.
“I’m a research person,” said Brannon. “I search the web for the latest fashion trends. My goal is to angle for everyone.”
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Brannon says that her first love is actually cooking and baking. She had a food service business to sell her cooking and pastries, including banana pudding, outside of Teleperformance. Growing anxieties about the spread of COVID-19 drove her to reconsider having a food booth, and she decided to pursue another entrepreneurial avenue through her other passion: fashion.
“That’s when I said I’m going to use my other talent,” said Brannon. “I’m going to open up a boutique!”
Brannon named the shop after her six children: Malaysia, Malakye and Jaquaveon Brannon; and Jacoleon, Javon and Cayla Franklin.
“Some people try to fin a bold name to stand out,” she said. “My bold name was my children’s, because that’s what I do it for. I do it for them.”
Brannon’s business and approach is strongly family oriented. She praises her close-knit group of fellow-travelers and relatives in their various roles in bringing MJC to fruition, including her sister-in-law Janelle Brannon, who works with Sylvia operating the store; brand ambassadors Jasmine Black and Brianna Schoolfield, who help promote the business, select items for the rack, design the displays, and model the clothing; and her husband, Malcolm Brannon, who Sylvia calls her “top support system.”
Sylvia Brannon showing some of MJC Collection’s selection of men’s jeans. Staff photo by Skyler Q. Andrews. Sylvia Brannon with MJC Collection’s men’s hoodies. Staff photo by Skyler Q. Andrews.
Sylvia Brannon, who was raised in Augusta by her aunt after the death of her father, also notes a strong dependence on her mother-in-law, as well as her family in Texas.
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“My Texas family always prayed for me to chase my dreams,” she said.
Brannon certainly followed suit, and encourages anyone with entrepreneurial aspirations to do the same.
“The time is now,” said Brannon. “Stop worrying about the what the next person is doing and just follow your heart.”
MJC Collections is located at 103 Maple Dr., Ste 11 in Martinez. For more information, visit its Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/MJCCOLLECTIONS23, or its website at https://Mjccollections.com/.
Skyler Q. Andrews is a staff reporter covering Columbia County with The Augusta Press. Reach him at skyler@theaugustapress.com.
