While the anniversary passed quietly, Michelle said it was a wonderful opportunity to reflect on the journey, the customers and the community that has supported Judds over the past two decades.
"We were so busy that it actually rolled past without us really realising," Michelle said.
"It wasn't until the girls said, 'Do you realise we've just reached 20 years?' that I stopped and thought, ‘wow, how did that happen?’."
Michelle's journey in retail began in Wangaratta, where her passion for fashion and design led her into the Judds business at just 18 years of age.
She originally hoped to study fashion design, but deferred university and started working in a menswear store.
"I fell in love with the business side of fashion and never went back," she said.
Over the years, Michelle gained experience across every part of retail, from buying stock and understanding suppliers to workwear, uniforms, embroidery and customer service.
"I was really lucky that Judds let me see everything from start to finish," she said.
"Even at 18, I was buying stock, seeing invoices, paying bills and understanding what things cost."
"I fell in love with the business side of fashion and never went back.“
That experience gave Michelle the confidence and knowledge to become part-owner of the Belmore St store 20 years ago.
Since then, she has witnessed significant changes in the retail industry, including the growth of online shopping and overseas manufacturing.
However, Michelle believes independent retail still has an important place in the community and that people still value good service.
"People like to spend money with people they like and trust,” she said.
“It's about building relationships and making the shopping experience easy."
For Michelle, Judds is about much more than selling clothing; it’s about supporting customers through life's milestones, celebrating happy occasions and helping families during difficult times.
"We can't be here without the community supporting us, and I believe the community benefits when local businesses support them too," she said.
Judds has proudly supported local sporting clubs, community groups, Yarrawonga Health events and many other organisations over the years and is currently supporting Farm Angels through its Flannel for a Farmer campaign, donating $5 from every flannelette shirt sold to help farmers facing challenging times.
Michelle and her husband, Adam, have three children, Mackenzie, Cooper and Lexi, and while this year's milestone celebrations took a back seat to family commitments, they are planning to celebrate her 50th with an overseas family holiday next year.
"While the kids still want to travel with us, we'll take them; those family memories are really important,” she said.
Looking ahead, Michelle hopes Judds will continue to be part of the Yarrawonga community for many years to come.
"I'd like to think I've got another 10 good years in me," she said.
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