01 May 2022 501der Women 2022: Mirinda Mathis-Davis

Mirinda Mathis-Davis knew she wanted to own a business in downtown Conway at 12 years old, and she fulfills that dream every day at Kindred Mercantile. She was raised in the Saltillo community of Conway and shopped local stores with her mom. 

“As a young girl, I had the ‘passion for fashion’ mixed with a heavy dose of a servant’s heart. That is an undeniable mixture for the retail life,” Mathis-Davis said. She took her first retail job in 1989 in Park Plaza Mall in Little Rock. 

“I have been in retail leadership for 34 years and devoted many hours to the development of others, to corporate life and to travel.”

While working for great organizations, she had the opportunity to build friendships and learn all aspects of the business. During those decades, she worked under some challenging leadership styles and chose to use those as learning tools. “I have always tried to keep perspective and use the retail world as a mission field.  I believe that God sent me out into the field to make a difference.”

Working in leadership roles in many states taught her a lot about serving customers and building personal relationships. She decided to do that in her hometown.

Mathis-Davis launched Kindred Mercantile online, in a booth rental and at vendor events in 2019. It’s important to her that the environment in her downtown storefront, which opened November 2020, feels welcoming and personal. Even the name ‘Kindred’ means family.

“When you shop with us, you are part of the family. We’d love to earn your business and become the ‘go-to’ local store that you love and tell your friends about. When you need a little retail therapy, or just someone who is a good listener and prayer warrior, think of me.”