4B
LIFE/VIe Ctirlatte $iit
Thursday, March 2, 2CX36
Women s History
featuring
“Women in Retail”
LaShanda Millner-Murphy
Owner, “Tuxedo Lady”
Partner, I)W Designs
By Fran Farrer-Nash
VIE CUMUjOTIE POiV
Bom to a family of entrepre
neurs. LaShanda MiHner-Murphy
is no stranger to working. She tocA
on her first job at age 11 with her
father in his building and trucking
businesses. Can one translate that
inU) fashion? No. There wasn’t
even a seamstress in the family,
Millner-Murphy just loved
clothes, they turned her on. She
always had ”a passion for fash-
km,” she said.
Hence, in 1984 at age 18.
births her first retail store.
LaShanda's Boutique in Winston-
Salem. The store was a hit, and
remained open until 1995 when
she decided to get married. E)uring
that same period Millner-Murphy
and her dad partnered to open Mr.
C's, in Winston-Salem.
Millner-Murphy married in
1996 and relocated to Cliarlotte.
With wheels turning to get back to
business, she soon opened Tuxed(»
Lady (M1 Sardis Road, specializing
in men’s formal wear rentals.
In 2001 she met David
Washington at an expo. They
exchanged cards, and later began
referring business to each other.
Millner-Murphy was renting for
mal wear to grcx)msmen, the best
man and ring bearers, and David
was customizing groom’s tuxedos.
Finally, it just seemed more prof
itable and easier to be together, and
a successful partnership began.
DW Designs boasts the slo
gan. “Embracing Ones
Individuality.” while Millner-
Murphy personally follows words
from author Jack Mitchell, ’’Hug
Your Customers,” and the winner
is...the customers. “Good cus
tomer service, following stan
dards. and thinking outside the box
is the mix that keq)s loyal cu.v
tomers.” says LaShanda.
A native of Winston-Salem,
.Millner-Murphy is the daughter of
Clarence and Gloria Millner. She
attended Forsyth County public
schools, and received her BA in
business from UNC Charlotte in
1988.
To stay focused, Millner-
Murphy holds membership in pro
fessional and civic organizations.
She is vice president of UNC
Charlotte’s Black Alumni
Organization. Charlotte Chapter,
member of the Board of National
Association of Wedding
Professionals, and Friends of the
Arts. In addition, DW Designs
actively participates in Charlotte-
Mecklenburg School’s intern pro-
l^Shanda is married to John
Murphy III. They are the proud
parents of 5-year old John
Murphy IV, who blessed his dad
by arriving June 20, 2000 on his
birthday. The family belongs to
Friendship Missionary Baptist
Church.
Millner-Murphy credits her
lifelong successes to support
received from her parents.
“Without them I could not have
made it they’ve been behind me
every step of the way.” .she said.
And, gives credit to husband John,
not only for support and encour
agement, but being an excellent
father with her working long hours
as well.
Visit iMShanda at DW
Designs, 127 N. Try on Street, in
the lvey*s Building - Uptown
Charlotte, 704-332-1896, or
Tuxedo Ijody, 1809 Sardis Road,
704-458-8868.
LaShanda Millr>er-Murphy
AmeriCare^»Heaith
AmeriCare Health
''Sugar Creek Medical Center
721 W. Sugar Creek Rd. • 704-941-8020
'‘Now Open''
“A New 3 Million Dollar Facility”
(across the street from Mayfield Memorial Baptist Church)
"On The Plaza ” • 704-535-0400
Milton Kuad • Ch;trlotte, N'C 28215,
"At The Park” • 704-399-2677
6023 Beatties Ford Road • Charlotte, NC 28216
Visit AmeriCare at either location
For All Family Healthcare Seeds
■ Accepting New Patients -
“Appointments Not Necessary’’
Comprehensive Healthcare
You Need and Deserve;
• State-of-the Art Pediatrics
• Urgent Care • Internal Medicine
' Minor Trauma • Industrial Medicine
• Diagnostic- Center
Dr. Fidelis Edosomwan
m
Open Mon-Fri, 9am-7pm, Sat. 9am-5pm
“For 1 will restore health unto thee, and I ivill heal thy
leounds. saith the lord ’ ■ Jeremiah 30: 17
Are You African American and Have Troubie
Breathing? If you are a smoker or ex-smoker and are havirtg trouble
breathing you may qualify for a clinical research study for an investigational
medication that could help manage your symptoms. Qualirted participants will
receive study-related medical care, pthysical exams, lab tests and the study
drug at no cx>st. If you are concerned about your breathing problem call today to
see If you qualify.
American Health Research
1918 Randolph Road. Suite 440. Charlotte. NC 28207 • 704-926-8043
Reaching a growing and affluent
African American demographic
has never been easier. All you have
to do is call for more
information
(704) 376 0496
^ Southeastern Group
Brad Crawford
Account Executive
Direct: 704-622-9609
E-Mail: brad.segroup(%hotmail.coin
P.O. Box 790053
Charlotte, NC 2S206
Licensed & Insured
‘Soutbeastern Group Is What Clean Should Be’
Commercial cleaning service and customized office
cleaning through out the Greater Charlotte and surrounding area!!!
FREE QUOTE
Mecklenburg County
Women’s Commission
Hal Marshall Services Center
700 North Tryon St.
Suite 206
Charlotte, NC 28202
(704)336-3210
FAX(704)336-4198
UGLY ROOF
Stains Removed!
> L 'p
New look, NOT New Roof
..-TTr-rrr-
RoofBrit^
704‘o22-1710 • ww'w.aok.org/roof.htm
20% Off for contracts simed durine estimate
Charlotte’s
weekly link to
community news
and the world
around you.
Cliarlotte
$oot