A Detroit native who turned a blog into a multimillion-dollar business, Mia Ray is the founder of Glam-Aholic Lifestyle, a beloved lifestyle brand that has redefined what affordable luxury looks like for Black women all across America.

Her story is one of vision, hustle, and relentless drive…proof that dreams written in a notebook can unfurl into an empire.

Mia Ray was raised on Detroit’s west side, where hustle was common.

She was not a child of an easy upbringing or a privileged one, but that gave her the resilience she would later need to make it in the cutthroat world of business – especially since she had no generational wealth or connections backing her – only deep roots in a city that had taught her survival, reinvention, and pride.

In interviews and appearances, Mia has spoken candidly about how Detroit shaped her mindset, stating that she had become attached to the rough edges of the city that made her, an authentic quality that makes her brand both glamorous and grounded.

Mia Ray began her journey in 2009 with her fashion blog, “Confessions of a Glam-Aholic”, which she started at a time when she was a young mother living on a tight budget.

The blog was her outlet, a place she could tap into her passion for teaching women how to remix their wardrobes and still look good without breaking the bank for labels they could not afford.

She was not trying to become a mogul in those early days.

She was merely sharing her life with honesty and flair….and readers responded.

Women saw Mia as a role model: a single mom learning to figure it all out on her own, who made sure to never walk into a room unless she looked like a million bucks.

In 2010, Mia decided she wanted to create something for her readers, which led to her designing a basic but chic tote bag.

That bag proved popular, but it wasn’t the product that mattered.

For Mia, it was all about what the bag represented – pride, polish, and accessibility.

In the years since, she has refined that first bag, reinvested, sold, and built a loyal customer base, often joking that she has, “sold the same bag for 10 years.”

And yet, that bag serves as Mia’s very foundation.

It’s evidence that women want affordable luxury and that they trust her to provide them with it.

That said, Mia’s success didn’t come easy.

Before her big break, she worked tirelessly for almost a decade, using the bulk of her time to master Instagram and social media marketing.

She eventually did, and these days, her limited product releases sell out within minutes of her announcing them on social media, proving she isn’t just a blogger with a tote anymore:

She’s a one-woman lifestyle brand powerhouse with an entire collection of glamorous travel sets, wallets, luggage, cosmetic bags, and accessories with clean logos and classic silhouettes that feel both luxurious and approachable.

Unlike most entrepreneurs who move on from Detroit once they hit it big, Mia did the exact opposite, putting down even deeper roots and planting a flag.

Her operations have expanded into a major Detroit-based warehouse, and she even recruited her own mother as an employee, firmly believing that success is only possible with the right people beside you.

In short: Mia doesn’t try to hide where she came from or look fancy for outsiders.

Instead, she proudly celebrates where she came from, making Detroit a core part of her brand’s story.

Today, Glam-Aholic is more than just a fashion label.

It’s a mindset.

In addition to high-end travel necessities, Mia now offers hair care, beauty products, and even cannabis products, all with the same philosophy behind her accessible luxury bags.

She is a genius at design and connection – one who treats her customers like friends – who regularly posts peeks into her own personal journey on social media, celebrating milestones that she makes them feel like they’re a part of.

The story of Mia Ray is Detroit’s story:

Rough beginnings, hustle, and the ability to turn an idea into an empire.

Since her start in the mid-2000s, her business has grown from a blog into an international brand, with her drops more than just product launches, but cultural events for her community.

For Detroit, she is more than just an entrepreneur.

She’s an ode to possibility and proof that even in a city largely ignored by outsiders, a Black woman can create a multimillion-dollar empire with style, authenticity, and grace.

Victoria Jackson (Editor In Chief)

Victoria Jackson is a lifelong student and sharp-eyed documentarian of all things Detroit, from its rich musical roots and cultural icons to its shifting neighborhoods, storied architecture, and underground legends. With her finger firmly on the pulse of both the city’s vibrant past and its rapidly unfolding future, she brings a deeply personal, historically grounded lens to every piece she writes.

Published on: August 27, 2025