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Business Series Part I: My History into an Entrepreneur
Thursday, September 17, 2015
Photo By: Vantage Media
My Resume Summary
Merle Norman Makeup Artist through High School, Bachelors in Business - University of Memphis (2004-2007), Bartender and makeup artist through college, Worked at Macy's as a fragrance rep and then as the Christian Dior counter manager (2007), worked at International Paper for 5 years as a Marketing Research intern, then Customer Service Rep, then Account Manager Sales Rep (lots of flying) (2007-2012), started my cosmetic line, Adel Amor Cosmetics, at the same time that I worked at International Paper (2007 - present). And now we have come to 2012, the year that I took the biggest risk I have ever taken in my life to date.
Photo By: Vantage Media
How It All Began
The true, nitty gritty story.... It all began when I started dating a boy. I was at a time in my life when I was making huge changes left and right. I had just ended a 3 year relationship and moved into my own apartment as a newly single woman on the island. I was really teeter tottering around...trying to find my balance and making drastic decisions left and right, searching for some sort of independent stability in my life. A true Gemini in distress...I know.
Photo By: Sophorn Kuoy
As any single lady trying to be independent does.... I cling to a boy. WHOMP, WHOMP! Hey...in my defense, I was very young. This boy convinces me to quite my job at a Fortune 100 company, where I am quickly climbing the corporate ladder, because of the travel. Selfish reasons...but honestly the best decision to "follow" I have ever made. Following for me is very rare and usually results in regret...but this time resulted in the fast track to what I believe is my destiny!
The Opening of The Ivory Closet
Now I am not the type to go 100% dependent on anyone so leaving my job without any source of income...NOT AN OPTION. I decided that I would open a shop on the island to keep busy while I tended to working on my "prim and proper" skills. Cleaning, cooking (unsuccessfully), and trying my best to make a boy smile.
Photo By: Sophorn Kuoy But as with anything, my mind was a canvas with paint, all colors of the rainbow, flying at it 100 miles an hour. So many ideas, so much FREEDOM...so much money that I now need to make. haha
Photo By: Sophorn Kuoy
So with my 26 year old life savings, $10,000, I opened The Ivory Closet Boutique. My family and friends got in there and helped me to turn the once Tan N Go Salon, into my little dream boutique.
I had my grand opening November 15, 2012. My store had only $5000 in inventory with 2 floor racks, an accessory table, and two wall racks.
Photo By: AM Photography
My grand opening party was a HUGE success. So many people came out to see the shop. Such a huge outpouring of support. I was and still am just so thankful for all of those who believed in my little boutique.
Photo By: AM Photography
Once the party was over and I sat down to soak in all of the people that had just come out to support me, I realized that this was going to be big. My dream grew exponentially overnight. This was no longer just a little something to do, I want to take this idea to the extreme. I want to go nationally using the web as a platform and the WOM and popularity of the shop as a vessel to franchise.
Photo By: AM Photography
I began planning what The Ivory Closet will look like in 5 years with a business canvas plan and spent a lot of time working on a website, hiring a strong stylist team, and creating vendor partnerships. My corporate sales experience gave me a leg up in creating sales goals and a service platform for my shop.
Today
BUSINESS
I still have The Ivory Closet . I started a fashion line of reversible camis, a line of body and skincare products and still have the cosmetic line, Adel Amor Cosmetics.We have moved The Ivory Closet to a higher foot traffic area that is still close to my current clientele so business will not be lost! In the mix of everything I have managed to complete my
masters from The University of Memphis!
PERSONAL
Five years later, I married and divorced, have two beautiful baby boys, and am going strong as a single momma and entrepreneur. I work extremely hard, but also have the freedom to take last minute vacations..... HOLD UP....I did not married "the boy" I ended up marrying a fellow entrepreneur and while things did not work out, we are still friends.
Lesson 1:
The boy was merely a messenger that pushed a teetering entrepreneur off the edge where she did not land on the ground but instead exploded in mid-air into a free bird that was ready to fly the distance to success. (wow....does that make sense? If it does, then I think I just had a moment) What I was trying to get at is: People come into your life for a reason, Take the time to build relationships and network!
Lesson 2:
Explode into mid-air so that you may fly the distance to success.
2 comments
I was wondering how you got to this point! So proud to watch your success!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much girl!!! :-)
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