Holly is the founder of The Mississippi Merchant. A proud Vicksburg native, she designed her first T-shirt when she was 10 years old, and her original creations have been worn around town ever since. Holly earned a degree in graphic design at Ole Miss, and her first job was, of course, designing T-shirts at University Sporting Goods in Oxford. After getting married and starting a family, she lived a few different places outside Mississippi pursuing graphic design by creating business logos and doing branding work for local, regional, national and even international businesses. Since she moved back to Mississippi, she worked as the creative director at Invitation Magazines, a community magazine based in Oxford. In 2023, she took her kids to see the Old Court House Museum and Coca-Cola Museum. The boats were in, and the town was flooded with visitors. Holly saw a need right away for quality, classic souvenirs that people could purchase to take home to remember their visit to Vicksburg and promote it around the state and beyond. It was then that The Mississippi Merchant was born. She is proud to be the purveyor of artistic, design-focused original products that reflect the place she loves. At home, she and her husband, Matt, are raising 4 children from ages 15 to 3. They live a full life that includes travel, sports, friends and family. Holly enjoys playing tennis and mahjong as well as considering if today is the day she will pick up her paint brush once again.

A lifelong Mississippian, Moni absolutely adores this state, especially all the unique towns that make it so special. As the account manager for The Mississippi Merchant, she has loved exploring these places and meeting the people that make them up. She handles orders for clients for products, branding campaigns, designs and anything they can dream up with for The Mississippi Merchant to create. Holly and Moni met while working together at Invitation Oxford magazine, where Moni has been an advertising consultant since 2011. Originally from Clinton, Moni has lived in Oxford since attending Ole Miss where she was a journalism major and a third-generation Ole Miss graduate (class of 2005). She also has experience working with the Oxford visitors bureau and the United Way of Oxford-Lafayette County. Aside from work, Moni is an animal rescuer and an avid Ole Miss fan. She and her husband Stuart have two children, Amelia and Ave. They love to travel especially to be near water, whether it be the lake or an ocean. Locally, her perfect day involves bopping around to a nearby small town, grabbing a coffee from their local shop, and finding an antique or vintage store to explore.

Haley has spent the past seven years putting down roots in Mississippi, returning to her husband Michael’s home state and building a life deeply connected to the people, places, and creative community of the state. After years living in Dallas, Denver, Boulder, and west Tennessee, Mississippi became home not just geographically — but personally and professionally. A graduate of the University of Colorado Boulder with a degree in Marketing and Communication, Haley’s perspective was shaped early by a five-month, around-the-world journey during college that took her to 13 countries. That experience sparked a lifelong appreciation for culture, storytelling, and the power of community — values that continue to guide her work today. Professionally, Haley brings a strong background in marketing, operations, and project management. She has led and supported creative, real estate, and mission-driven initiatives, specializing in turning big ideas into executable plans. Outside of work, Haley and Michael are raising their three wild sons — Sawyer, Wylie, and Greer — in Mississippi. As a family, they love traveling, all the sporting events, spending time outdoors, and being actively involved in their local community. Mississippi has become the place where their family feels most aligned, grounded, and inspired.

Bio coming soon!

Mary Margaret is a graphic designer based in Jackson, Mississippi, with a background in both design and marketing from Mississippi State University. While in college, she played a role in launching a t-shirt company—an early experience that sparked her love for building brands from the ground up. After graduating, Mary Margaret returned to Jackson to begin her career in graphic design, where she met her husband, Chris. Along the way, she partnered with several nonprofit organizations, deepening her passion for design that supports meaningful work and real stories. Today, she continues to work with clients through freelance design, creating thoughtful, elevated visuals that reflect the heart behind each brand. Her work is rooted in the belief that good design should not only look beautiful—but also communicate clearly and grow alongside the people it represents. She balances her creative work with life at home, raising her twin daughters and energetic young son.

Somer was born and raised in Vicksburg. She is a very accomplished first grade teacher at a local elementary school. She recently was awarded as the Elementary Educator of the Year by Vicksburg Warren County Chamber of Commerce. She started working with The Mississippi Merchant in 2025 when she was looking for a side hustle that would take her out of the classroom to do something totally different than her typical day-to-day. She also works at Sassafras, a downtown store that specializes in gifts and wedding registry. She loves The Mississippi Merchant because no day is ever the same and she gets to meet so many people. When she’s not teaching or working downtown, you can find her in her sewing room or spending time with loved ones.