MC Design Academy is designed to be a space where I get to share my expertise with you, where you'll get to learn all about visual merchandising, design, display, retail, and everything in between. Come along as I practice my craft and be sure to like, subscribe, and follow our socials to keep updated. See you in the merchandising land of MC Design Academy!

Tara Thorn started her jewelry business, Cedar and Cypress Designs, after living in Haiti for five years. Seeing the beauty of the island, she wanted to share the beauty and work of the artisans she had met. Starting with a small website, she quickly grew into wholesale and is now in over 500 stores across the
US.

It was with the help of mentors and places like MPLS MART that shaped her business. Tara is now also a showroom owner at the MPLS MART, the Midwest’s only permanent regional gift market. Through shows and the online space, she can grow her reach to more stores and customers, increase
awareness of the beautiful items coming out of Haiti, and showcase the work of her artisans and their team. Every purchase makes a difference, Purchase with Purpose.

This is Tara’s second time on the show and here she shares a little about Cedar and Cypress Designs and how the political and social unrest in Haiti impacts her artisans and business. She then dives into her new role at the MPLS mart and how she got started. Tara also shares all the details of her showroom set up, which brands are represented at the mart, and how she maintains a healthy work/life balance.

Upcoming dates for the MPLS Mart are:

June 9-11, 2024
July 26-30, 2024
October 6-8, 2024

What’s Inside:

• How the unrest in Haiti is impacting Tara’s artisans
• What it’s like inside Tara’s showroom
• How Tara maintains a healthy work/life balance

Mentioned In This Episode:
Cedar and Cypress Designs on Instagram
Cedar and Cypress Designs on Facebook
cedarandcypressdesigns.com
cedarandcypresswholesale.com
MPLS Mart on Instagram
MLPS Mart on Facebook
mplsmart.com
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