Inspired by Grief, Mother Becomes Entrepreneur

By Kayla Minor

February 13, 2020

 

STARKVILLE, Miss. (Take 30 News)— Markelia Bishop, a mother of three, had no idea she would lose her son at the young age of 19. After his passing, Markelia says her son inspired her to follow her lifelong dreams.

 

Markelia Bishop lost her son on June 12th, 2016.

 

“I went through depression and it’s like something came to me and told me it’s time for you to do what you love to do,” Bishop said.

 

Bishop used her grief to spark her creative side.

 

“I stepped out on faith and I done a flower for him and I posted it on Facebook. I got like a whole bunch of likes off that one flower. First flower I ever done,” Bishop said.

 

Though flowers are her specialty, Bishop decided to expand her talents to decorative art pieces and gift baskets.

 

“She does great work. I mean I haven't seen anything, yet she's done I didn't like,” Bishop said.

Word quickly spread about bishop's talents around town. She said that Valentine's Day is one of the busiest days of the year for her.

 

“Day of Valentine's Day. That's when it really picks up. That day and maybe two days before,” Bishop said.

 

But she is not in this alone. Bishop says her daughter is a great helper.

 

Bishop said, “I have a twelve-year-old and she actually can do everything I can do.”

 

Bishop said her business has been doing so well, that she is thinking about relocating from her home on Bishop Road and into a different building. Through she still mourns the loss of her son, she says he is her guiding angel and he keeps her going

 

 “I can hear my son saying, "you can do it. Keep going, keep going." It’s a motivation and it helps me a whole lot,” Bishop said.