For the Month of April we are sharing stories of hope and inspiration for National Month of Hope. Sometimes hope is the deciding factor on if we will continue our journey or stop in our tracks. As we share the stories of this amazing individual we hope that you are filled with hope and are inspired to keep on your path of greatness.
Creator and Founder Janyelle Milton shares with us her story.
Janyelle Milton is a Detroit native and founder of J Marie Premium Sneakers and Cashmere Feet. Two companies with emphasis on the feet one created out of poverty and the other created as a solution to a problem- both billion dollar industries. Janyelle Milton is an 80s baby and you can see the many things that influenced her and many others in the infamous era and the one that followed in her businesses. ” Every freaking night and every freaking day”, I remember a lot of the foundation for Cashmere Feet was created as I sat in the middle of my living room floor, no furniture just me , my phone and Jodeci- Janyelle Milton She always had a knack in business and entrepreneurship which is what drove her to get a degree in business and entrepreneurship. ” Growing up I always wanted to do something, create something ” Janyelle Milton. Janyelle Milton is the middle child of 7 children and grew up on the eastside of Detroit. Beauty and Fashion was important to me growing up. She attended Southeastern High School and worked hard to LATER be accepted in The University of Michigan. After College she started a career in customer service and insurance which lends to the impeccable service exuded in both of her businesses. J Marie Premium Sneakers is a Premium Sneaker Brand as an alternative for heels…its conceived in Detroit handcrafted in Italy. J Marie Premium Sneakers are Style| Quality| Comfort| Color. Growing up you couldn’t catch her dead in gym shoes but her health and a quest to be comfortable left her looking for a shoe that was everything a heel was- feminine, artistic…sexy minus the discomfort….she didn’t find anything so she created her own line- J Marie Premium Sneakers. Cashmere feet as mentioned was created in a time where she was in between jobs and needed an income and needed to cut back on what now would be a luxury vs a necessity- A pedicure. She created Cashmere Feet which is a company that boast to give you unbelievably soft feet from the comforts of your home. A company that offered customizable lotions,soaks and scrubs for at home luxury pedicures. Everything Janyelle Milton does is a testament to the core of her being a go getter and a resourceful problem solver. A recent diagnosis of multiple sclerosis has driven her to want to give more Glory to God.
“The whole time I was sick….but I never let it stop me, a lot of my biggest feats was taken or done in most cases after hospital stays, I just want little girls who grow up in places that I grew up in and been through the same things I been through to know- you can keep getting up, that makes you a winner and you can be fly while doing it and while serving God- and that isn’t always a perfect image” -Janyelle
Do you have a story of hope or inspiration? Please share with me.
Yes, I’m losing vision in my right eye, constantly in pain but I smile and God gives me strength that you wouldn’t even know unless I told you.
Her businesses are J Marie Premium Sneakers and Cashmere Feet a luxury pedicure company.
What does hope mean to you?
Proof of something better with no concrete evidence.
What are some tips would you like to share about remaining hopeful or becoming inspired?
Talk to God….if your intentions are pure, sincere and helping others he will somehow make it all work but you have to give him the Glory. So if you want a business pitch yourself to him, lol HD already know but the conversation inspires YOU.
What is your favorite inspirational or motivational podcast? Why should readers listen to them?
I listen to a number of podcast, I wouldn’t classify them as inspirational because that’s not the genre but you can get inspiration from everything.
Share your top 2 inspirational or motivational books and why?
The Coldest Winter Ever- its inspirational because it’s a reminder to me that its young people trying to become successful in ways that aren’t good because that’s all they know, if I can be proof that someone who look like them and been in the same types of neighborhoods and schools can make it in a different way I can be their example. The bible- it keeps me grounded.
Who keeps you inspired or hopeful?
My mom, she has ms as well had it for 10yrs and keep pushing.
How do you remain hopeful?
Striving at my goals.
How important is it to remain hopeful or to spread joy to others around you?
Very, very few people aren’t upfront about the true state of their minds and hearts, but you can change it with joy and being hopeful.
What keeps you inspired?
My legacy.
What does community mean to you?
People who hold each other accountable to be better and maintain an environment to make that possible and hold each other accountable.
What do you feel a community needs to be inspired?
A code, rules of engagement.
What’s next for you in your business/brand? What can readers look forward to from you?
I have more Sneakers coming out in the summer.
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