Bayou Icons | Debbie Herrington and Cindy Stone

ARTICLE BY GEORGIANN POTTS
PHOTOGRAPHY BY KELLY MOORE CLARK

HerringStones is celebrating 36 years as a company this year and is a testament to the hard work and incredible talent of its two founders — sisters Debbie Herrington and Cindy Stone – and the team they have assembled. Together they have grown HerringStones from a single storefront into a thriving, family-led, multi-seven-figure company with five Louisiana locations and a strong online presence – rooted in faith, style, and community for nearly four decades. While both women readily admit that the business has been a major part of their lives, they also agree that their family has been even more important. Their parents — their late father Leon Miletello, Jr. and their mother, Sandra Cox Shinn — continue to inspire them today as they grow their business. Debbie and Cindy have managed every detail – from visible storefront windows to invisible “behind the scenes” work — as they have shared a dream that they’ve made come true through their passion for fashion, their dedication, and their deep love for each other and what they do. Because of their leadership in the world of fashion as well as their example as outstanding businesswomen, Debbie Herrington and Cindy Stone are our September BayouIcons.

What makes a childhood memorable? Special occasions, important trips, the birth of a sibling, or perhaps just the quiet “ordinary” times of our lives – all help create treasured memories. For Cindy Stone, there are so many happy “ordinary” moments that it is impossible to name just one. ‘There were so many moments of learning, laughter, and love that helped shape me into the well-rounded person I am today,” Cindy says. “Some of my fondest times were spent with my grandparents —shelling peas and butter beans on the porch, going crawfishing, and simply soaking in their love and wisdom.”

The love and unwavering support of parents also create incredible memories. Both Cindy and her sister, Debbie Herrington, are quick to describe their parents as hardworking, stylish, and their greatest supporters. Leon Miletello, Jr. and Sandra Cox Shinn were remarkable people in their own right. 

Inspiration Came Early
Leon was an incredible influence on Debbie’s life. “He was an incredible influence – an entrepreneur who inspired my drive and vision,” Debbie says. “My father was probably the most influential entrepreneur in my life as Cindy and I learned the ropes of the business. He was a true original who left a lasting impression on everyone he met.” He was, as Cindy adds, “. . . a proud little Italian man with a big personality and an even bigger laugh that could light up any room. He had a true zest for life and a smile that was unforgettable.”

After serving two years in the United States Army, Leon earned a business degree from Northeast Louisiana University (NLU, now known as University of Louisiana Monroe) and spent years as a successful salesman in the wholesale liquor industry. Later his own entrepreneurial spirit beckoned and he worked in the gaming business through his company, LSM Gaming. Cindy says that her father inspired her to work hard, take risks, and think big. “He always encouraged me to push forward, even when things felt uncertain,” she adds.

Their mother, Sandra Shinn, reared the two girls as a single mother. They remember that she worked two – and sometimes three – jobs at a time to make sure her family had what it needed during hard times. She stood 5’9” and was beautiful. The girls remember her as always looking fabulous and carrying herself with confidence and poise. “Mom never left the house without looking like a million bucks, and that example of self-care, pride, and resilience has stayed with me my entire life,” Debbie remembers. “As a single mom, she raised Debbie and me with unwavering dedication,” Cindy adds. “By day, she held a steady 8-5 job, and by evening, she brought style and charm to her part-time role at Lucy Lee, a local clothing store where she shined in both sales and fashion. With her quiet strength and elegance, she taught us the importance of perseverance and grace under pressure. She supported us through long workdays and constantly reminded us that we were capable of anything we set our minds to.”

The sisters are grateful for the legacy their parents created and the love they poured into their lives. Together, their parents shared not only love but a deep friendship. “As a team, they supported us endlessly and showed us the meaning of resilience, loyalty, and devotion,” Cindy says.

Growing Up Surrounded by Family
The sisters grew up with all of their family close by in the West Monroe/Monroe area. The family was large, close-knit, and loving. “We had a big family, and holidays were always something special—filled with laughter, warmth, and tables overflowing with delicious food,” Cindy says. “Those gatherings were more than just celebrations; they were the heart of our family, where traditions were made and memories still live on.” Debbie adds, “I also have deep memories of my Italian family never missing a year without a family reunion. That sense of connection and tradition shaped the way I value relationships today.”

There were occasional fun family trips that both girls remember fondly. There was one trip to Disney World with their cousins that their grandmother and father took them on. “We all piled into a small car which made the trip just as memorable as the destination,” Debbie says with a smile. There were also trips to the beach and Six Flags that were always a treat. For Cindy, a road trip to Colorado is a very special memory. “Daddy drove us all through Colorado, making sure we saw and experienced as much as we could,” she says. “He had a way of turning any trip into an adventure and making sure we were having fun every step of the way. His joy and excitement made it unforgettable.”

Both girls attended Highland Elementary, Boley Junior High, and then West Monroe High School. Cindy was the “performer” – always active in extracurricular activities like cheerleading, student government, school clubs, and the school dance team. She studied dance with both Linda Lavender Ford and Mary Lou Shepard and credits both with nurturing her love for performing.

Debbie was equally active during high school. She also cheered, took dance from Mary Lou Shepard, and was involved in school clubs. “That busy, structured life carried right into college,” Debbie says, “where I danced on the Warbonnet team, earned a scholarship, and joined Phi Mu. Those experiences taught me work ethic, discipline, and how to manage a full plate – skills that have carried me through my business career.”

Career Paths Meander in Unexpected Ways
Both Debbie and Cindy loved clothes and fashion from an early age. Both their mother and father instilled that in them as both were stylish dressers and appreciated fashion. As their college years approached, both had different ideas about what they would study. 

Cindy thought that teaching would be a good choice since she loved children. As a child she hadn’t thought much about what she wanted to be when she grew up. She enrolled at NLU on a scholarship, performing on the Warbonnets dance line during football season and as one of the Ten Little Indians for basketball. She taught summer drill team camps, enjoying sharing her passion for dance with younger students. Her major was elementary education which she hoped would build a foundation for a life rooted in community, creativity, and care.

Unlike Cindy, Debbie knew exactly what she wanted to be when she grew up. She had always loved clothes and styling, even as a child, “I would mix and match the few pieces I had to create different outfits,” Debbie explains. “I knew when I went to college that I was going into fashion merchandising. From the very beginning it’s all I ever wanted to do.”Both sisters began working at early ages and worked during high school and college. Cindy had several part-time jobs before college including one as a gift wrapper at Lucy Lee and at Fields Clothing Store. Later she began selling clothes at Lucy Lee (ironically, in the same location where HerringStones is today). Debbie began working at a children’s boutique to earn extra money and was also a gift wrapper at Lucy Lee and Fields. Their gift-wrapping jobs were during their high school holidays.

During college, Cindy worked at On Stage Dancewear combining two things that she loved – dance and fashion. “These early jobs weren’t just about the paycheck; they taught me the value of responsibility, the importance of a strong work ethic, and the pride that comes from earning my own money,” Cindy explains. “Each experience helped shape who I would become, both personally and professionally.” Debbie also worked at a dance shop part-time while she was in college.

After Debbie graduated from NLU with a degree in fashion merchandising and marketing, she became a buyer and manager at a Monroe boutique working for Melba Williamson. That experience gave Debbie the foundation she needed. “The late Melba Williamson taught me every part of the business, from market trips to managing a team. She hired me for my first job out of college as a buyer and manager, teaching me the ropes of going to market, creating, managing people, and understanding every detail of the buying process,” Debbie says.

In the meantime, Cindy did not become a teacher. Instead, she began her career working at a bank where she helped customers open new accounts. After this first step into the professional world, soon after Cindy left to work with Louisiana Power and Light for several years.

Suddenly Opportunity Knocks
In 1989 the sisters found themselves with an exciting opportunity that would change their lives forever. They learned that a boutique – Lisa’s Limited – was for sale.

Debbie remembers well the day that a gentlemen came into that store, visited awhile, and then offered her the opportunity to buy his boutique. “I still remember walking into the bank with a business plan, not knowing if I even had a shot,” Debbie says. “I called my sister Cindy to see if she would be interested in doing it with me, and the rest is history. We’ll forever be grateful to our friend and then-banker, Paul Coburn, for believing in us – because at that time, all we really had was good faith.”  

The two bought it without a moment’s hesitation. Both women shared a lifelong love for clothes and style, and this felt like the perfect fit blending passion, creativity, and business.

By this time both had married and Debbie had 2-year-old Hanna. Haley was born the next year. Debbie observes, “We started our business 36 years ago while having babies and growing our families. I would encourage any entrepreneur to keep a strong work/life balance—I didn’t fully understand what that meant in some of those years.”

Now that they co-owned their own boutique, what would they call it? The women finally decided to blend their married last names – Herrington and Stone — to create “HerringStones.” “The name was simple, personal, and felt like the perfect fit for the dream we were building together,” Cindy says.

Along the way there have been triumphs and challenges. “There have been countless interesting, unforgettable experiences through our time at HerringStones,” Cindy says. “From fashion trends that have come and gone (and come back again!) to building relationships with customers who have become like family, every season has brought its own memories, lessons, and growth.” Debbie adds, “Watching our brand grow beyond our local roots and seeing our clothes worn in places I never imagined has been both surreal and rewarding.”

While traveling, both delight in spotting HerringStones clothing in places far from home. “There’s nothing quite like being in a completely different city—or even another state—and seeing someone walk by in a dress or outfit we carry,” Cindy says. “It’s a proud, full-circle moment that reminds me how far our little dream has reached.”

Memorable Moments In Fashion
“Fashion is glamorous – until you’re crawling on the floor looking for a tag gun or tripping over a box of inventory!” Cindy says with a giggle. The sisters remember one experience when during a photo shoot, the model’s heel got stuck between the deck boards and she couldn’t move without losing either her shoe or her balance. “We were all trying to stay professional, but we ended up with tears from laughing. There have been plenty of wardrobe malfunctions on the sales floor – inside-out tops, zippers that won’t budge, and moments when we’re all trying to squeeze into one dressing room to make a last-minute styling decision,” Cindy adds.

The sisters had to learn to be flexible in all situations. The unpredictability of fashion retail was one of their earliest challenges. “Fashion retail is constantly changing—trends, seasons, buying schedules, customer habits, and even the economy,” Cindy explains. “One minute you feel ahead of the game, and the next, you’re scrambling to pivot.”

There were other challenges, of course. Both remember the many trips that they made back and forth to their other locations as they were building their brand. That required lots of travel with many becoming turn-around trips so that they could get back to their flagship store.

Both readily admit that the COVID pandemic was one of the hardest challenges for them. They had to rethink everything – how they sold, how they connected with their customers, and how to keep their team strong in the face of worldwide uncertainty. “The pandemic forced us to adapt quickly, strengthen our online presence, and find creative ways to serve customers when in-person shopping wasn’t possible,” Debbie says.

When asked what advice they might offer to someone considering a career in fashion retail, their answers are both pragmatic and uplifting. The sisters have learned firsthand that a career in fashion retail is much more than clothes. They’ve learned it’s about people, creativity, and connection. This career teaches work ethic, responsibility, communication, and how to adapt and grow with change. The most positive aspect? It’s never boring – every day is different! Wrestling with technology and the digital world also provides a never-ending opportunity for personal and professional growth.

Cindy sums it up this way: “Running a boutique business is never predictable, but it’s always rewarding. Whether we were hosting runway shows, launching new locations, managing buying trips, or navigating unexpected challenges, each moment has been a part of our story.”

Passing the Torch
In spite of the challenges, there has been growth – and the promise of more to come. Today HerringStones is even more of a family affair. What started as a small boutique has grown into something neither expected – five locations and two new stores named Heirloom by HerringStones. The name “Heirloom” means something meaningful passed down from one generation to the next. “That name captured everything we wanted it to represent: timeless pieces, tradition, and a sense of lasting style and value,” Cindy says. “Just like the name, our hope has always been to create something enduring, something that could be shared with others for years to come.”

Debbie’s two daughters, Hanna Lavergne and Haley, are both co-owners of the business. Hanna is also HerringStones CEO.  She is leading the brand forward with the same passion and vision that has defined HerringStones 36+ years. Haley is a co-owner of the Baton Rouge location. Debbie says that owning HerringStones and working alongside family has been the most rewarding part of the business. “Building something lasting and seeing the next generation take ownership as been incredibly fulfilling,” Debbie says.

Today both women are grandmothers and are looking forward to spending more time with this newest generation. Debbie and her husband Blake have 2 daughters (Hanna and Haley) and 2 grandchildren (Luke, age 7 and Herrington-Kate, age 4). Cindy and her late husband Scott have two sons (Cody and Cade). Cody gave them a granddaughter (Chandler, age 5) and a grandson (Carson, age 4). Cade gave them a granddaughter (Edie, age 2) and is expecting a second daughter in December.

Both sisters hope to travel more and explore new places. Debbie would love to experience the Amalfi Coast – the stunning views, colorful cliffside villages, and that Italian charm. A previous trip to Greece revealed its beauty, history, and warm people. “It was absolutely the most beautiful place I’ve ever seen,” says Debbie. For Cindy, a recent trip to Italy and Greece was very special. “Being half Italian, visiting Italy felt especially personal,” Cindy says. “My great-grandparents came over from Palermo, so walking the streets of Italy gave me a deeper connection to my roots. It was like stepping into a part of my family’s story.”

A Philosophy and A Legacy
The sisters have led HerringStones with clarity, consistency, and heart. “We set high expectations, but we also support and inspire our team. For us, leadership is about service – both to our employees and our customers,” Debbie explains. “We’ve built a legacy, and we’re constantly evolving to keep our brand fresh while staying true to our roots. We offer curated styles, exclusive pieces, and a personalized customer experience – whether in-store or online. Many of our customers have been shopping with us for generations.”

That’s quite a legacy of both service and love. Two remarkable sisters born and reared right here have accomplished much both in business and in life. They are to be admired for their entrepreneurship and their strength of character – and for their love for others.