Rhythm of My Roots

I’m Hope — a mid-1970s baby, born and raised in Dallas, Texas, in the South Oak Cliff community. My passion for arts, culture, style, business, and hospitality was ignited by my family. Soul food and soul music shaped my upbringing. My parents would host parties and dance the night away. So eating, listening to music, dancing, singing, and writing poetry became my most favorite things to do. I grew to listen to and love all styles and genres. It blew my mind when I learned Stevie Wonder’s Fulfillingness’ First Finale album was released the day I was born. Music became my backdrop to everyday life, nearly a never-ending soundtrack because I always had a Walkman or boombox in reach.

Threads of Style Heritage

My mother, with a keen eye for style, could sew anything she dreamed and transform any garment with her own flair. My father was cool, creative, and business minded. Both of them preached “buy well-made and look your best no matter the occasion”. My grandmothers, raised in small towns with country values, were homemakers of divine skill—cooking, quilting, welcoming, and celebrating their loved ones and friends. They too dressed well, especially for church. The hats were spectacular to me! I also looked up to my older sister who is the epitome of classic chic. Hair was a big deal too. I came into the world bald, to my mother’s concern, but soon grew a head full of thick wavy hair that became everyone’s challenge. Back then we used Blue Magic, Ultra Sheen, water, wide-tooth Ace combs, wire picks, Goody brushes with plastic bristles, and hot combs. I was tender-headed and cried every time someone tried to “fix my hair” but couldn’t wait to rock my new hairstyle!

Journey of Calling

Fashion meant so much to me that I aspired to be a fashion designer and a model but fell in love with home economics in high school and decided to pursue a degree in hospitality management. I worked in that industry for about eight years with the career goal of managing hotels and owning a bed-and-breakfast. I also worked in jewelry retail, college recruiting, admissions counseling, and even sang professionally. But at every turn, I felt a strong calling to family and home. For the past three decades, I have been a homemaker and supported my husband, pianist and composer Arlington Jones, in the music industry as his business and creative manager. As a homeschool mom, I nurtured the gifts and passions of our children Christian and Ollie, who now work in the creative, business, and service industries. I started Regal Heart to empower women and girls in their faith journey and co-founded the nonprofit The Music Stand to uplift and enrich lives through the arts.

Heart of Merchant Girl

Today I’m still that old soul and music is still my happy place. To the core I’m a city girl with a country heart. I’m a self-taught graphic designer, creative of many things, and curator for arts & lifestyle content. Merchant Girl was born from Proverbs 31:13-27, where a wise and creative woman is described as “like the merchant ships”. She is a seeker of goodness—gathering treasures, ideas, and inspiration to bless her household and community. That same spirit guides everything I create — to curate beauty with purpose, to live artfully with faith, and to treat every act of making, serving, and styling as sacred work.

At its heart, Merchant Girl is a reflection of how I live and what I value. I believe style transcends time when it’s not influenced by trends. I see style as the ability to know what speaks to you, complements your personality, and looks good on you. Authentic style isn’t about what labels you buy or where you shop; it’s displayed by how you put things together and confidently carry yourself. Wellness starts with a balanced mindset of beneficial choices that become a nourishing way of life. Entrepreneurship starts with a dream fueled by creativity, intention, passion, and dedication. The arts are powerful forms of human expression that enrich life. We can look, feel, and be our best every day while enjoying life’s beauty and bounty.

Sincerely,

Hope N. Jones

Merchant Girl

“She is like the merchant ships…”

Proverbs 31:14