I had the immense pleasure of interviewing women-owned businesses at Diamond Jefferson’s Made by Her market. In this country’s climate, being a woman and of color isn’t new although the odds are against them, these young ladies keep their faith strong and know they will succeed no matter what. Stories behind the business from concerned moms to women’s empowerment and everything in between.
House of Royalty Skincare- Mom and Boss
My first stop had to be House of Royalty Skincare, where mother and daughter manned the table with inviting conversations. As a brand I’m familiar with, I was excited to discover the reasoning behind the brand.
Brain behind the brand
My Tonya, owner of House of Royalty Skincare, started her entrepreneurial career at the young age of 17 with a successful cleaning business. The start of her skincare brand came after COVID. Fewer clients requiring her services led to more home time. While she was home, a thought came to her: What’s in our skin care? Let’s just say Ms.Tonya wasn’t pleased.
So why skincare?
Ms.Tonya was a concerned mother regarding the health of her children. After extensive research into the cancer-causing chemicals in our commercial lotions, perfumes, and body oils, she decided her family deserved better. Ms.Tonya created an empire in her own home, a clean, organic, and conscious skin care line carrying body creams & butters, lotion bars, body oils, hand sanitizer, and soaps. We all love a transparent owner, Ms.Tonya notes, “the only thing that may be synthetic is the fragrance oil, but it’s all really clean.”
Why is it important to won a business as a women?
Previously Ms.Tonya mentioned to me she doesn’t like working for anyone, lets go deeper.
“It’s important as a black woman to have my own business and be my own boss to help others understand to love each other, to love yourself. Use good skin care products, and you can be a boss too; you can do the same.”
Goals for Ms.Tonya and House of Royalty Skincare-
“Yes, my goal is to have a storefront, and that’s my goal, so I just want to get as big as possible to share my craft with other people. I also want to start doing a little class where you can come to my business, and we can make lotions, hand sanitizer, soap, and stuff like that together.”
Sounds like a fun girls’ day with the squad, right?
I can’t end off without sharing that I’ve used Ms. Tonia’s products for over a year and I’m beyond pleased with every use. I might be a little biased and delusional, but I swear I can smell the scent of the lotion bar under my clothes. Which commercial brand is competing with that? You’ll just have to take my word for it, or better yet, find out for yourself!
A&E- A Young Black Girls Journey to Boss lady
I had the pleasure of speaking with Amy Henderson Co-Owner of A&E beauty supply.
Yet again, I might be biased, the owners of A&E beauty are not only friends of my parents but also aunt and uncle to my childhood friend, that’s besides the point. Husband and wife take on the multi-billion-dollar beauty industry, which has always been in the hands of Asians despite Black women being the #1 customer.
Why the hair industry ?
“Well, it’s very important to me because I grew up as a young black female from Altair, Texas, and I visited numerous beauty supply stores with my family members. We always shopped there pretty much weekly, buying things for our hair, our skin, our face. It was just something that was a part of us, we grew up in beauty supply stores, whether we wanted to get our hair straightened, curled, or ponytails…”
Amy continues to share that as a young teenager, she did hair for her family, including mom, sister, and grandmother, expressing that hair has been a long-time interest. Not only was she well-versed in beauty products down to the aisle number, but also in hairstyles such as braids and sewins, further stating, “it was just a natural part of who I was.” Due to her upbringing, owning and operating a beauty store wasn’t a second thought because “why not?” especially when everyone else is constantly telling black women no, this is a true testament that we do not need to ask for permission.
When I asked Ms.Amy who her inspiration was, she replied, “I was inspired by the beauty industry itself. I didn’t see a lot of black women in beauty supply stores, so there wasn’t anyone that I saw. I just felt like it was right. Why shouldn’t we be a part of the beauty industry? Because we’re always purchasing in there, you know, we’re the biggest customers, so it just felt right.”
Goals for A&E
“Yes, we have goals, open up another location, maybe two or three, my husband is talking about doing a warehouse. So have goals, we have big goals.”
Not only was Ms.Amy a pleasure to speak with, but she and her husband were personable with all customers, showcasing ombre owners. Their table consisted of a variety of products and a spin wheel for free products, such as head scarf, weave, roll-on perfume, jewelry, etc.
A&E Beauty is located in Pearland, Texas. We were very pleased they took on the challenge.
Its spring time lets bloom- Creations by Giselle
Giselle started her business considering she always felt the passion to be creative, the choice of flowers came from her belief that blooming arrangements create community. Giselle is right for celebrations, birthdays, romance, and simply home decor. Flowers ignite intimacy in all relationships.
Golas–
“My goals would be to expand my reach in the community and collaborate with more organizations around campus, especially markets with HerCampus. I love the way they inspire women.”
Why as women owning a business import to you ?
“ I love being in a space where women bring each other up and highlight each other, its amazing seeing so many talented women around campus”
Gisile’s bloom bar set was beautiful, a pink and white hooded display with gold shelving. Gorgeous selection of crimson roses, romantic blush petals, dainty dark magenta flowers, delicate baby’s breath, and radiant zinnias, just to name a few. Once you pick five stims from the display, she has “cutsey” bouquet carriers with a pink bow attachment. If making your own isn’t your cup of tea, you can purchase a handcrafted pre-made bouquet.
Embody the ethereal essence-Arcane Petals
Arcane Petals isn’t your ordinary rollerball perfume; it’s a sentimental legacy with a foundation of femininity. Levania Morales started her business off on one philosophy from her grandmother, “If you look good and feel good, you can go about your day with confidence when her grandmother passed, she wanted to keep her legacy alive. In addition to looking and feeling good, you can smell good for a boost of confidence. As a young lady, having a signature scent is becoming (of womanhood).
With Arcane Petals, you have options from ethereal to majestic scents & woody to sweet, Levania has every fragrance a dainty woman could ask for.
Goals-
“To inspire people to make a moment for themselves and ground themselves for a good day, just feel good.” Ladies, just imagine with me; when you’re getting ready for your day, you do your hair, cleanse your face, and are draped in elegance. Lastly, you reach for “Celestial Divinity Essence” for a good day start.
Why?
“So that you can be confident in yourself and know that you’re capable of doing things on your own. Being an inspiration for another young girl, who’s able to do it.” Living in a world full of magic doesn’t end in childhood; it’s a routine that we can keep alive with “Gilded Halo Potion.” I’m sure we can all relate to wanting to be fairies, princesses living in a castle, with a whiff of Arcane Petals. I can assure you that a majestic spirit will take you there.
Advice
“Whatever you’re thinking, just go for it, you never know.” Levania’s giddy and humble persona makes being a young, confident entrepreneur look easy and fulfilling. Remember ladies, whatever you put your mind to, you can do it!