Community Highlights: Meet Davida Reed of Divine Twenty Six

Today we’d like to introduce you to Davida Reed.  

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Divine twenty-six began as a mere idea in 2014, but two years later in May 2016, it went live as an online women’s boutique that sold clothing and accessories. With a focus on quality, consistency, and customer service, the company soon grew in popularity. As an online business, Divine twenty-six quickly recognized the need for non-brick-and-mortar businesses and founded Passion Expo Events. This brought small businesses together in one space to display and sell their goods and services. In 2017, the company launched the Women Hustle Harder brand, which included T-shirts and crop tops. 

In 2018, Divine twenty-six began popping up inside other small businesses to collaborate and expose their customers to other local brands. The following year, the company formed the Black Women Empower line, selling shirts to women all over the country and being sponsored by the Black Women’s Roundtable. They also began consulting with other new businesses, helping them with marketing and branding tools to prepare them for Passion Expos. 

In 2020, Divine twenty-six pivoted during the COVID-19 pandemic and had its first year generating six figures. The following year, in 2021, the company expanded the brand into an event space, giving the community a space for personal events and a clothing store. The company’s growth and dedication earned them the company of the year award from the Ascend Foundation in 2022. 

Divine twenty six’s success didn’t stop there, as they received a wardrobe credit in the independent film Quik Money in 2022. The company’s core values and dedication to supporting other small businesses and uplifting women have been the driving force behind its continued success. 

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The last 7 years of business has not always been a smooth road; we’re actually still figuring things out as the world changes we also pivot! We’ve seen months of no profit and some months profiting as much as $20k, but through it all, we always serve our customers with a “Divine Experience.” We have a business plan in place that needs capital behind it to take us to the next level; it’s time to expand! 

We’ve been impressed with Divine Twenty Six, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
We are a women boutique in Pontiac, MI, serving women all over the country, especially with our copyrighted brand, women hustle harder, and signature black women empower line. We are preparing for a recession and looking to rebrand, focusing on our branded material. The thing that sets our boutique apart from the others is our “Divine Experience.” We care about our customers, their feedback, and making sure their shopping, event, or personal experience is a satisfying one each interaction. I’m proud that not only do we sell clothing, but we pour into other small businesses helping them to build their own. 

Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
I believe our customer service is most important to our success as we interact with our customers in various ways; we value what they think, how they feel, and their experience all together. 

Contact Info:

• Website: www.shopdivine26.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/shopdivine26?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
• Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/ShopDivine26