“IT WASN’T SOMETHING EITHER OF US SET OUT TO DO, BUT LOOKING BACK, IT’S LIKE EVERYTHING FELL INTO PLACE DESPITE THINGS FEELING LIKE THEY WERE—AT TIMES—FALLING APART.”
“One day, I was inspired to make a pair of boot socks for myself that had lace on the top of them peeking out of my boots,” Melissa says. “They took me eight hours to make and were a pain in the butt—I swore I’d never make another pair again. However, every time I wore them, women—total strangers—would stop me to ask where I bought these socks.” Rick encouraged Melissa to sell them online, where people fell in love with both the socks and the story behind them. That’s how the “accidental business” started. “It wasn’t something either of us set out to do, but looking back, it’s + Honeycomb Knit Sweater + Lightweight Two Fit Knit + Chiffon Hi/Low Extender
like everything fell into place despite things feeling like they were—at times—falling apart,” Melissa says. In 2013, Rick and Melissa appeared on ABC’s hit show “Shark Tank” and developed an incredible partnership with self-made real estate millionaire and “Shark Tank” investor Barbara Corcoran. People were continuing to fall in love with the brand and its story. Grace & Lace went
Halfway through the pregnancy, though, at a routine doctor’s visit, Melissa was given devastating news: she would give birth to their daugh-
from six employees to 36 employees virtually overnight, and their growth continues to be anything but normal despite bumps in the road.
ter within 24 hours and, if she did, her daughter wouldn’t survive. Melissa
“In six years we have gone from making boot socks out of my living
was rushed into emergency surgery to try to save her daughter. It was
room to creating and designing complete outfits for the everyday
successful, but Melissa was very high-risk and would need to remain in
woman who wants to walk into her closet with confidence knowing
the hospital on strict bed rest for the remainder of her pregnancy.
that what she puts on that day is not only fashionable but celebrates
“As I laid in bed every day, I was going stir-crazy,” Melissa says. “I didn’t
her style,” Melissa says. “Hundreds of thousands of moms, teachers,
want to just lay there and watch talk shows; I had to find something to do.”
students, professionals and ‘mom-prenuers’ trust Grace & Lace to
That’s when she started making baby blankets for their little
help them look and feel their best every day.”
unborn baby and for other mamas in the ICU. Right there in that
The best part? Every time an order is placed from Grace & Lace,
hospital bed is where her love for knitting grew. Time began passing
the purchaser becomes an instrumental part of building orphan-
quickly with her new-found hobby.
ages for children, rescuing young girls from the sex trade and
Suddenly, one dreadful day weeks later in that hospital bed,
investing in women in need here in America and around the world.
Melissa’s water broke. Doctors could no longer stop the labor, and
A portion of every dollar that comes through the company goes
Rick and Melissa’s little girl, Halle, was born.
straight toward causes that support Rick and Melissa’s passion for
“We held her close as she transitioned into heaven with lungs too under-developed to survive,” Melissa says. After Rick and Melissa lost Halle, Melissa continued to sew and create and even opened a little online Etsy shop.
taking care of children and women. “It’s an honor to have people that support our small business and believe in our mission,” Melissa says. Find styles for every wardrobe at GraceandLace.com.
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September 2018 | North Scottsdale Lifestyle
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