Merry Kline

Founder, Owner and Operator, Belle & Blush

Merry Kline has wanted to be an entrepreneur almost as long as she’s been into beauty and fashion. She was able to meld the two passions with her store, Belle & Blush, which she describes as “a girl’s candy land.” The shop, located in The Promenade at Chenal, sells cosmetics, skincare and bath & body products, jewelry and accessories, stationery, home goods, and gifts. Last year, she expanded the store’s offerings and hired aestheticians to provide makeup application, luxury facials, organic spray tans, and eye lash and brow services. At the Belle & Blush Gift Bar, customers may choose from the store’s merchandise to create personalized gift boxes. Before starting her own store, Kline was a jewelry product coordinator and corporate buyer for Dillard’s and a product development coordinator for Barse Jewelry in Texas. She has a bachelor’s degree in international business from Northwood University.

Hometown: Dallas, moved to Little Rock in 2004.

First job: Cash register at Arby’s when I was 15.

Favorite food: All of it, but mostly tacos.

What was your first big break? At what point does a small business owner even say they had a big break or made it? I don’t think this is an easy question because there is no obvious answer when you’re in a constant state of growth.

What attracted you to your career? Since I was a child I always wanted to be an independent business owner. Plus, I always doing loved makeup and shopping with people in general.

What accomplishment are you most proud of? While I am proud of creating Belle & Blush, to be honest, my greatest accomplishment to date is being the mother of my little boys (9 & 12). They’re so smart, confident and unique. The older they get, the more they amaze me.

What do you love most about what you do? The customers! We have an amazing group of loyal customers that feel more like friends to me. I love working on the sales floor and doing makeup because I really get to know people.

What quality do you most admire in other women? I love when women are unapologetic about who they are while encouraging other women to break their own molds.

Personal motto: Not really a motto, but this is my current favorite quote “I regret taking such good care of my skin” – said no one ever!

What talent do you wish you had? To be talented enough to be a backup dancer for Beyoncé.

If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be? Probably on a beach in like the south of France or on an island in Greece with my family.