We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Devon Bradley Roof. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Devon below.
Devon, so glad you were able to set aside some time for us today. We’ve always admired not just your journey and success, but also the seemingly high levels of self-discipline that you seem to have mastered and so maybe we can start by chatting about how you developed it or where it comes from?
I grew up as a competitive gymnast which taught me self-discipline from a very young age. Balancing that sport alongside other sports, school and jobs really shaped me into the person I am today.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
My name is Devon (Bradley) Roof and I own Belle Row Boutique—an online clothing shop and traveling boutique located in Jackson, Mich. I am the sole buyer for all things Belle Row and spearhead the communication, art direction, multimedia and sales strategy on behalf of the boutique. In addition to Belle Row, I offer public relations consulting and marketing services to clients in Mid-Michigan and across the United States, specializing in crisis communication, brand management, and digital storytelling.
I have a passion for mentoring young professionals and giving back to the community. Throughout my career I have volunteered with various organizations including Junior Achievement USA, the MI-ACE Women’s Network, the Children’s Trust Fund (Michigan chapter of Prevent Child Abuse America), Michigan Tribe, Michigan State University’s VIM Magazine and the MSU Alumni Association.
One thing that sets Belle Row apart is we’re more than just a clothing shop. We pride ourselves on building strong relationships with our customers and providing personalized services. Additionally, partnering with other businesses for pop-up shops and fundraising events allows us to cross-market other small businesses in our community. It’s a unique and fun opportunity for me to utilize my marketing/PR skills to highlight these other incredible businesses!
Fun fact; Belle Rowe Boutique turns 10 this December!
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
1) Be a sponge. I learned a lot of awesome skills and best practices from high school and college jobs that I’ve applied to the businesses I own today. Don’t take those opportunities for granted.
2) Don’t lose sight of your goals, even if they’re going in two opposite directions. There will be times in your life when you’re going to have to pivot. It may be in times of pain, but pain can be really motivating. Continue to follow your intuition and that feeling in your gut that says ‘you need to be doing this!’
3) Believe in yourself. Some of lifes best gifts come wrapped in thorns. It’s your choice to get the lesson out of it.
Thanks so much for sharing all these insights with us today. Before we go, is there a book that’s played in important role in your development?
Fear is Just a Four-Letter Word by Tracy Tutor. We all face moments of self-doubt and find our selves rattled in certain situations. This book teaches you about fear and how to conquer it–especially in the business world.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.bellerowboutique.com
- Instagram: @bellerowboutique (business) @dmarie161 (personal)
- Linkedin: linkedin.com/devonbradley