Ardean Miller-Marbley’s vision – one she’s carried since childhood – has become reality.
The New Sarpy native and entrepreneur established her company, Mah Melanin, which offers a line of products that includes home décor, apparel, totes, blankets and more. And this year her brand, known for its culturally inspired designs, will now be featured in Sam’s Club stores across Louisiana and six other states starting October 1st.
Miller-Marbley is proud to be able to say Mah Melanin is the first Black-owned business to partner with retail giants Sam’s Club, Hallmark, and Lowe’s in their gift wrap category. For over three years, she and her family have successfully sold their products online through Sam’s Club. Now, her products will be available in physical stores.
She takes it on as both a responsibility and an opportunity to pave the way for more inclusive representation in retail.
“This opportunity is a dream realized, but it’s also a challenge,” said Miller-Marbley. “As the first Black-owned brand in this space, we have no historical data to rely on. We are the data, and these numbers matter. Selling out at each location will not only prove the demand for diverse products but will also open doors for future partnerships and opportunities.
Miller-Marbley created her company Mah Melanin with a desire to offer products that beautifully and accurately represent melanated people. Her line of products includes home décor, apparel, totes, blankets and more. Her most popular product is her Santa gift wrap, which features an African American Santa named Ken after several beloved men in her family. She also has a Mrs. Claus character, which was created in honor of her mother Doreen Miller.
Miller-Marbley has shipped out international orders, as well as pitched her line of products to QVC and the Home Shopping Network. Her gift wrap is sold many places online, including Lowe’s and Walmart.
“Each year, we continuously did so well and received so much support, so we had constant sales growth. So, this year, we asked to have our products carried in the store,” she said. “We’re excited about it.”
Things began to really take off for Miller-Marbley in 2022. That was when she and her 16-year-old daughter Syreniti presented to executives and earned a coveted golden ticket at the ninth annual Walmart Open Call event. Those meetings secured the deal that led to Mah Melanin’s products being sold online and in-stores at select Walmart and Sam’s Club stores.
“Sam’s and Walmart have been very, very supportive,” she said.
That said, it wasn’t an overnight process.
“It’s a lot. You have to go through product testing … a lot of different approvals have to take place,” she said. “Your manufacturing capabilities, your distribution channels, all of that has to be very strong in order to be able to partner with those retailers. They are looking to see how strong your brand is.”
Mah Melanin passed all the tests.
“This is our year,” Miller-Marbley said proudly. “This is everything we’ve been moving towards.”
She’s also proud to represent her home community.
“We’re from New Sarpy,” she said. “(Whether you’re from a large or small town), believe in who you are and believe you have the ability to achieve your goals. Don’t fear ‘no.’ Maybe it’s ‘no, not right now.’ It’s all about mindset.”
And Miller-Marbley’s mindset has kept her on this path for a long time.
When she was just eight years old, she saw a change she wanted to make in the world – “I loved Santa, but there was a void of Santas who looked like me and there were no beautiful baby dolls or characters who looked like me.” She didn’t know exactly the form it would take, but she knew she wanted to be part of a change.
“I didn’t know what it was, but I knew I wanted to do something really big when I became an adult. Something that would make an impact,” Miller-Marbley said. “Going back to not seeing those characters who looked like me, so I’m going to create those characters as an adult – it’s really surreal to see that come to fruition.”
To shop Mah Melanin, visit www.mahmelanin.com.