Pooja Shaunak
Reporter
The owners of two local businesses hope to improve the community and the lives of their customers while turning a profit in Columbus. Maypop Spa offers a variety of massages performed by massage therapists. The spa also serves as a physical retail space for Humble Reign, a new online fashion retailer. Both businesses are owned by women, and they see their businesses as fulfilling needs in the community.
Maypop Spa is co-owned by Dipporah Tyler and Justine Gifford, two licensed massage therapists who came up with the idea for the spa after working together. Tyler said she came to Mississippi because she had family here, and she wanted to further her education and career. She also said she wanted to help people, and that she never thought about how big the store might grow to be.
“If you think about how big this can get, you don’t focus what’s in front of you,” Tyler said. “We were so excited to go on this journey, and with everything moving so fast, it was less stress to focus on what’s in front of us instead of worrying about what’s ahead.”
Maypop Spa offers a variety of massages starting at $40 and up per session, depending on the type of massage. The spa will be having an Open House event on Dec. 4 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. According to spa manager Mollie Carnathan, there will be drinks, snacks and a giveaway during the event.
“I encourage everyone to come and get in that holiday spirit,” Carnathan said. “It’s going to be so fun!”
In addition to the services provided by the massage therapists at Maypop Spa, the business also serves as a physical retail space for Humble Reign Apparel, an online fashion retailer founded by Sonya Hill. Hill, who studied psychology and accounting, started the business while working as an accountant and pursuing an MBA. She founded the company in 2020 and officially launched the brand on Aug. 23, 2021. Hill said Humble Reign is more than just apparel. It is also a brand with a purpose.
“To be honest, I got inspired by Bombas socks,” Hill said. “They have fun patterns of socks available for sale, but they also donate a pair of socks to the homeless. That is what I want to do. I want to build a legacy and brand to help those that are in need. I just love helping people, and I want to be more than just a brand.”
Toward that end, Humble Reign Apparel participated in the 30 Bookbags in 30 Days school-supply donation drive to benefit students in need in the Columbus Municipal School District. The company is also sponsoring the Maurice J. Reynolds Hope Scholarship in fall 2022 for eligible high school applicants in Kansas City, Mo.
Hill used to work for a non-profit organization in Columbus, and she said that is why she wants to focus on humanitarianism with her apparel brand.
“‘Reign’ in Humble Reign, is spelled in a royal matter,” Hill said. “We are all equal. No one is better or worse than anyone else.”
On humblereignapparel.com, there are T-shirts, full-sleeve shirts and sweatshirts. According to Hill, there will be Black Friday deals and holiday deals during the shopping season.
Although the collaboration between Maypop Spa and Humble Reign was just launched in late October, Hill and Tyler have known each other for years.
“We both want the best for each other,” Hill said. “We both have the same vision of helping people as small business owners who are minorities.”
Tyler echoed that sentiment, saying that Humble Reign and Maypop Spa both help people.
“We both, Humble Reign and Maypop, have a diverse group of staffing and clients,” Tyler said. “Everyone – no matter what size or race or even spiritual background – hurt and need help.”
Maypop Spa and Humble Reign Apparel is located at 294 Chubby Drive Unit B in Columbus. Maypop Spa takes bookings over the phone at 662-368-2747.