Continuing a Family Legacy: Madison Freeman '14

Retail seems to be in the blood of the Miller family and Madison Miller Freeman ’14 is continuing the legacy they started. 

Her dad, Greg, and uncle, Robby, opened the first Miller Brothers clothing store in 1996 in Buckhead and expanded their offerings with the opening of Miller Collective in November 2022. While the original shop carries men’s clothing and accessories, Miller Collective sells clothing for men, babies and children, gift items and items for the home. 

Ms. Freeman was at the forefront of the new store’s opening and is involved with all aspects of the business including buying, marketing and social media and day-to-day management of both stores. “I’ve always loved clothing, design and visuals,” she said. “The work came naturally to me.” 

She spends a good amount of time at the store but also travels to scout new merchandise with her dad and uncle and to meet with a men’s retail collective group of which the Miller Brothers are members. 

“We have such product variety we don’t have to stay in one lane,” she said. 

While both stores maintain an online presence, the company is committed to keeping an in-store presence in Atlanta. And while shoppers often ask about women’s clothing, the focus for now is with men’s retail. 

“The women’s industry is very different,” Ms. Freeman explained.

Her busy schedule does not differ much from her time at HIES, where she served on the Upper School activities committee for four years, played softball and was involved with Young Life. Preparing for college occupied a lot of her junior year, though she had already decided to major in business. 

A HIES-sponsored college tour of 12 different campuses sparked her interest in Ole Miss. It was the first college she applied to, and she received notice of her acceptance on the first day of her senior year at HIES. With that decision made, she was able to enjoy the many celebrations of her last year and she advises current seniors to do the same. 

“Take advantage of all the activities and events HIES has to offer,” she said. “Academically you will be ready for college, and you will stay close with your friends, no matter where you go.” 

At Ole Miss, Ms. Freeman was a member of Chi Omega sorority and earned a degree in business management with a minor in marketing. She also met her future husband, Will, who, somewhat coincidentally, works in the cotton industry. She worked for two other companies before officially joining Miller Brothers in 2021.