MEET THE STAFF
ST. PATRICK’S DAY AT THE MERLE
BACK ROW L TO R: ALI HORTON, SUMMER BLADES, NATALIE FLOYD, JADYN LINDSEY, KARLEE MCGREGOR, SHERRI BULLARD, HOPE REED AND
JADE COOK
FRONT ROW L TO R: SUSAN BUTLER, ASHTYN SMITH, MELISSA CRISWELL,
ANNA REESE WOODS AND SHELBY TICE
TOP 10 RETREAT AT SUNSEEKER RESORT IN FLORIDA
SHERRI, NATALIE, & DUANE
OWNERS
SHERRI QUINN BULLARD & NATALIE BULLARD FLOYD
With over 35 years of experience, this mother-daughter team has an eye for fashion. Sherri has always loved Merle Norman cosmetics, since getting her first makeover in her hometown of New Albany as a teenager. She and her husband, Duane had the chance to buy the Merle Norman in Ripley and decided to jump on the opportunity. They invested in Sherri’s dream of owning a Merle Norman in 1986. Lucky for them, they had a daughter who also loved everything Merle Norman. With Natalie’s help they have expanded the store to have over 6,000 dresses, specializing in prom, pageant, and formal wear. They also invested in a second location in New Albany. If you’re looking for your perfect dress, shop at our Ripley location! We have the perfect dress for you!
Sherri Quinn Bullard
In 1976, Sherri’s mother took her to Merle Norman in New Albany, MS for a first skincare and makeup lesson. She instantly fell in love. The owner, Mrs. Ruth Callicutt, was first on the list to call when the school pageant or Fairest of the Fair date was announced. Sherri went to college to obtain a degree in elementary education. She married Duane Bullard in 1984.
Sherri’s childhood friend Chuck Cooper wanted her to open a branch of his family’s business, Van Atkins in Ripley, MS. He and his parents took her under their wing and gave me the opportunity to have practical, real-life experience in the retail world.
The Merle Norman studio was next door. Everyday during her lunch break she just had to stop in to see what was new!
Six months later, Mrs. Bea Thompson asked if Sherri would like to purchase her Merle Norman.
It was a no-brainer!
As you can see, there have been many changes over the past 35 years!
Sherri stills says that her favorite part of owning this business is helping and teaching people how to apply skincare and makeup to look their very best.
Duane and Sherri have one daughter, Natalie, who was very active in theatre, singing, band, tennis, and Girl Scouts. With singing and theatre, pageants were a natural interest. Sherri says, “we had great difficulty finding formalwear in our area for these events. We decided to go to market and dip our toes into formalwear. …..Success! Natalie was named a beauty all four years at Mississippi State University.”
Natalie Bullard Floyd
Natalie graduated from Ripley High School. She went on to further her education at MSU. She made Fashion Board, MSU choir scholar, and Bully’s Belle Dance Line and Band Member. She was selected to become a member of Delta Gamma Sorority, was a MSU Alumni Delegate, served on the student Senate, and was a Fellow of the Appalachian Leadership Honors Program, and was the score keeper for the men’s college tennis team.
Natalie earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communications with an emphasis in Public Relations and Theatre in 2011. She received her highest honor, the Spirit of the State award, her senior year at MSU. During high school and college she participated as a Summer Scholar at MSU, both as a member and an instructor. She is a lifetime member of the Girl Scouts of America and earned the Gold Award. Natalie has received formal training as a makeup artist in Chicago, Las Vegas, and Atlanta including Spencer Barnes (makeup artist for Taylor Swift!)
Natalie has had an exciting life. Natalie was asked to participate in Dancing like the Stars in 2018. She was a part of the “Dream Team” which raised over $300,000 for The Boys and Girls Club. She was hired as an extra in the Oscar winning move The Help. She had the opportunity to work alongside Emma Stone, Octavia Spencer, Viola Davis, Jessica Chastain, Cicely Tyson, Bryce Dallas-Howard, and Leslie Jordan. (Talk about the star power and empowering women!) She was also selected as a feature bride on the hit show Say Yes to the Dress before her 2016 wedding ceremony to Kyle Floyd of New Albany. If you would like to watch on Hulu, the episode is titled “Not afraid to try new things!”
Natalie and Kyle make their home on Main Street in New Albany where our second store is located. We were able to acquire the New Albany Merle Norman from Mrs. Callicut who introduced Sherri to the world of cosmetics years ago. Natalie and Kyle have been married for six years! They enjoy traveling and spending time with their pups!
MANAGERS :
HOPE ELLIOTT REED
Manager
A resident of Hickory Flat, Hope has been with us for over a decade & began her career when she was just 16! If you’ve shopped with us over the past 10 years or so, then there’s no doubt you’ve had Hope help you look fabulous. Hope has one of the most giving hearts and makes sure that her family, friends and our customers feel loved at all times! She keeps us all organized, focused and laughing at the Merle.
She was named Miss Benton County in 2012. She graduated from Hickory Flat Attendance Center in 2013. After being on homecoming court in previous years, she was eventually crowned homecoming QUEEN at Hickory Flat in 2013 (in her Merle Norman ball gown, of course!!!)
Being that she was once a homecoming queen herself, she’s the best at assisting our homecoming queens for their big day.
Hope is also highly qualified in helping our pageant girls reach success.
She is one of our most popular makeup artists and stays busy year round! She plays many roles as our store manager and specializes in cosmetics & formalwear - all while keeping our many social media platforms all up to date.
After graduating high school in 2013, she then attended Itawamba Community College before going on to the University of Mississippi to major in Education, with a minor in legal studies. (Yep - she’s an Ole Miss Rebel mixed in with a bunch of bulldogs here! )
She married her high school sweetheart, Trey Reed, in 2016. Hope is now the mother of three beautiful children. She has two sons, Rowan and Rainey Reed. In 2022, she had a baby GIRL, Elli Brynn Reed.
We often laugh that she is truly superwoman… managing one of the Top Ten Formalwear stores in the NATION all while raising a family with 3 children ages 7 & below!
🦸🏼♀️✨
SHELBY PULLIAM TICE
Manager
For over twelve years Shelby Pulliam Tice has been a part of our Merle Girl family! In fact, we often joke that she IS our family.
She graduated from Walnut High School in 2011 before heading to Northeast Mississippi Community College.
Fun fact — Shelby was chosen MOST BEAUTIFUL out of 80+ girls at the NEMCC parade of beauties (in her Merle Norman gown, of course!)
She has a passion for theatre and music. She has performed in many plays and churches, as well! She has been an instructor for six straight years at theatre camp. Shelby went on to receive her bachelor’s in education from Blue Mountain College. From there, she attended the University of Mississippi where she obtained a masters in higher education. We have HIGHLY qualified employees - can’t you tell? :)
Shelby married Hunter Tice of Michigan City in 2018. She resides in Michigan City and drives 45 minutes to work each day!
In September 2020, they had their first child, Ann Majors Tice!
Shelby is one of our store managers.
She specializes in pageantry & interview. Her many years of experience allow for a keen eye for poise & evening gown. Schedule an appointment today for the best advice from this highly trained beauty Queen!
BUSINESS TRIPS
