It is a simple fact that when we look better, we feel better. 

Enjoy The Journey, Merle Norman helps women achieve ultimate confidence by enhancing their appearance with refined cosmetics, expert skin care and exceptional guidance. 

    Denise Wilding, owner of Enjoy The Journey, Merle Norman Spa and Boutique in Warner Robins, is passionate about helping women look and feel their best. “We love being here [for them],” Denise says. “It’s exciting, it’s not work.”

     When customers find the perfect foundation and color match for their skin tone, try a bolder shade of lipstick, or learn new skin care techniques, they become more comfortable in their own skin. These products coupled with individualized care for each customer leaves them feeling valued, capable and gorgeous. 

    Through 90 years of business, Denise says of Enjoy The Journey Merle Norman, “They’ve kept up with the trend. They have continued to evolve but we still sell the original Powder Base, Cleansing Cream & Miracol.” In addition, Enjoy The Journey, Merle Norman has kept jobs stateside by keeping production in America. “There is nothing that is made by Merle Norman that is not made, bottled and packaged in the USA.”

    Denise is celebrating four years as the Enjoy The Journey, Merle Norman franchise owner. “I always wanted to have a Merle Norman,” she admits. “I was 17 when I started using Merle Norman while in high school in Nashville, Tennessee and it was a lifelong dream.” But her journey to becoming the Enjoy The Journey, Merle Norman business owner was not a fast one. 

    After working Merle Norman as a teenager, Denise spent 10 years working in all aspects of accounting, did corporate downsizing and then became a military broker. “My husband was in the Army for 24 years,” she says of Shawn. For a time, Denise says, “We lived in Europe, and I took care of military bases in Northern Italy and part of Germany.” When they returned home, Denise continued this work for the states of Georgia and Alabama, but her heart was still with Merle Norman as she longed to become a business owner. 

     Denise was in Warner Robins visiting her daughter, Courtney, when an opportunity presented itself. “We were shopping at the Merle Norman in Warner Robins,” Denise recalls, “and my daughter overheard the owner say she wanted to sell.” Denise made inquiries and before she knew it, she was buying her very own Merle Norman store. 

    Denise and Shawn lived in Columbus, Georgia at that time. When they purchased the Merle Norman on Valentine’s Day of 2018, Shawn was in school earning his masters in psychotherapy at Troy State University in Alabama. “I drove every day – well, almost every day – for the first year,” Denise recalls. The commute was not easy, but Denise and Shawn remained committed to the future they worked to build.

    For Denise, owning a Merle Norman studio was a dream come true. However, she has since discovered new dreams that have enhanced her original plan. As business grew, Denise decided to reach outside of cosmetics and offer her customers magnificent retail options to complete their look. Out of this idea came her boutique, Enjoy the Journey. 

    The name of the boutique was inspired by both Denise’s mom and her own journey with Enjoy The Journey, Merle Norman. “I’ve been trying to really enjoy my journey through the business,” she says. “Learning how to run a business, grow a business, reach more customers [and] love on customers.” 

     Around this time, Melissa Hinnant of Grace and Lace women’s clothing store was on the rise in the boutique industry. Melissa’s story began in 2010 when she was five months pregnant with a baby girl. When Melissa experienced complications with the pregnancy that landed her on bedrest, she decided to spend her energy on sewing.

    Melissa and her husband Rick sadly lost their baby girl when modern medicine could no longer delay her premature birth. Through this unbearable time, Rick and Melissa relied on the Lord’s grace to carry them through each painful day. With the sewing skills mastered during this trying time, Melissa started Grace and Lace boutique as a reminder of the Lord’s faithfulness.

    Inspired by Melissa’s story and the quality of her brand, Denise dreamed of adding a Grace and Lace line to her Enjoy The Journey, Merle Norman store. “When they told their story my heart just went out to them and what she did,” Denise says. “I love her story but her clothes are fabulous. They are soft, they are reasonable – anybody can wear them.” 

    However, Denise admits, “When I decided to put a Grace and Lace line in [my store], I got denied because I didn’t have any history as a business owner.” While new to the retail world, her 15 years of experience in accounting and 12 years as a corporate downsizer taught her invaluable lessons she felt qualified her for this step. 

    Discouraged but still determined to sell the Grace and Lace product, Denise would not give up. “I went online and I learned all this stuff about ordering,” she says. “I texted whoever was doing her account. I said, ‘Would you please show this message to Melissa and tell her I’m trying to get a retail account?’ The next day, I was approved.”

     Denise stocks clothing in sizes ranging from double zero to size 18. “No matter who walks into the store, if I have it in stock I can dress anyone,” she says proudly. Under loving guidance, women feel at home when the ladies at Enjoy The Journey, Merle Norman are taking care of them. Their products include Brighton Jewelry, Blowfish Shoes, Oak River Handbags & Wallets, J. Beverly Hills Hair Care, Blenders Eyewear and much more. 

    “I want everybody and anybody to walk through that door no matter where they are in life,” Denise says. “If you need help with makeup or you need help with fashion, we want to be that person. We want to love on you and help you no matter what.”

    In addition, Denise joined forces with the charity Out of Darkness Middle Georgia, the anti-sex trafficking ministry of Frontline Response. They offer diverse types of donations to help women regain their independence and encourage them along their journey to freedom. As they transition from long-term treatment to living independently, the women seek to enter the job force and work toward rebuilding their lives. “Once they go through the process and they’re ready to start over, we help them into their next life, into the next chapter.” 

    Denise says they do women’s makeup prior to a job interview and lend business attire to those in need. “We want to be here to support women – all women – no matter if you are homeless or drug addicted and you’ve come through programs. We want to be there to support you starting over in whatever way we can.” 

    Admittedly, Denise says, “It’s not the vision I had originally. It’s grown into this whole different direction of women supporting women through ministry. God made it into that and I’m so happy with where it is.” 

    Denise announces exciting news of obtaining their spa certification and building a spa into the store. Denise is grabbing opportunity by the horns with each additional service she provides for her customers. Between cosmetics, retail and spa treatment, customers can find everything they need at Enjoy The Journey, Merle Norman Spa and Boutique.

     As a military owned and operated business, Denise offers an everyday 10% discount for military as well as first responders to include nurses. To further support the military, they also support Wellness Ranch in Dublin, Georgia. Denise thanks her loyal customers, many of whom return from out of state, for their continued business. Just a phone call away, they ship APO, DPO and many others. Her husband Shawn, now a Warner Robins police officer, offers his unending support now as much as he has from the start. Denise and Shawn hope to join forces soon to offer even more help for everyone. 

    Whether giving customers a complimentary steam facial, makeover, or simply chatting about color schemes, the Enjoy The Journey, Merle Norman team loves interacting with their customers. Their homely atmosphere makes all women feel embraced, welcomed and beautiful the moment they enter the store.