Melrene Saloy is from the Blood Tribe of Southern Alberta, and resides in Calgary Alberta.
Melrene operates her business out of her home and sets up shop at many local trade shows,
conferences and symposiums. Native Diva Creations utilizes web and social media to market
itself and sell its product on a global scale. Melrene’s ultimate goal is to make her business long
lasting and to be able to pass the business down to her children and to make First Nations
beaded jewellery that is culturally appropriate for all people to wear and share her culture that
does not offend but respect and support the First Nations community.

Melrene has gained prior business experience working as a manager in retail for over a decade,
this strong business knowledge has assisted Melrene with the necessary foundations for
starting her own small business. Melrene influences stem from the beading traditions of her
family, new and contemporary supplies and techniques to make her work. Combining her loves
of crafting, beadwork, fashion and business, Melrene developed Native Diva Creations in
September 2015, with the help and support of family, friends and local First Nations agency’s
she has been able to take her brand from a few items to a variety of items. Melrene’s products
can be purchased on her website, Facebook and Instagram as well as12 different giftshops
across Canada and the United States, and by the end of this year in 3 shops in Germany and
New Zealand.

Melrene has shared her entrepreneurial journey success and struggles with others through
speaking engagements on small business panels to help encourage other in their business
endeavours. She also helps fellow entrepreneurs by helping find selling opportunities locally in
Calgary, by joining organization committees to make more opportunities, for indigenous small
businesses. Native Diva Creations has been nominated for several awards for the business and
success that business owner Melrene has been able to accomplish so far.