Merline “Mimi” Thermora Saint Juste was born in Port-au-Prince, Haiti, where her journey began. At the age of 15, she immigrated to the United States, settling first in Boston, Massachusetts, where she completed her high school education. Years later, Merline relocated to Florida to live with her mother and initially considered pursuing a career in the medical field, in alignment with her parents’ aspirations for her future. However, even at a young age, Merline was widely recognized for her keen sense of style and passion for fashion.
While in Florida, Merline pursued higher education with a major in Fashion Merchandising. Her academic experience ignited a vision to establish her own fashion brand and online boutique, Mimi’s BoutiQ. The brand quickly gained recognition and achieved notable success in Southern Florida. In 2011, Merline hosted her first fashion show, which has since grown into an annual event held in both Miami and New York City.
She also participated twice in Couture Fashion Week in New York City, gaining valuable behind-the-scenes experience working alongside prominent designers and models. In 2016, Merline and her team launched the inaugural Mimi’s BoutiQ “For the Women, By the Women” Brunch, a platform designed to empower women through meaningful conversations. The event brought together respected professionals and artists to address critical topics such as financial literacy, business innovation, and health awareness. Due to its immediate impact, the brunch became an annual event and was later expanded to Boston and New York City.
Merline’s dedication and impact have been recognized through numerous awards, including the YOPro 20 Under 40 Award, which honors outstanding young professionals under the age of 40. She previously served as the Director of Conference and In-Person Event Planning for NAAHP, an annual conference supporting Haitian Americans. Most recently, she received honors from the Ayiti Community Trust Gala and Haitian Businesses for business excellency. She has also been featured in numerous magazines for her work and influence.
Driven by faith, purpose, and perseverance, Merline continues to seek daily strength to expand her brand, uplift others, and create lasting impact.