My “Why” Behind Queens Conquer

When I graduated college in 2015 from Texas State University, I wasn’t quite sure where my path would lead me, but I knew it was time to take a leap of faith and step into a new phase of my life hanging onto hope and creating life on my own terms.

I received a degree in Mass Communications with a focus in Public Relations. After graduating, I quickly learned that majority of the jobs in my field required at least three years of PR experience, which was pretty discouraging. So, instead of going through the dreadful job hunting process with little to no experience, I decided to bet on myself and actually put my degree to work. I noticed that many women I knew started their own businesses, but didn’t have the time or tools to build their brand, so I wanted to create a solution for them to be successful. I was compelled to help women build their brands, create a community to share resources and remind women of their power. . . and from that Queens Conquer was born.

As we embark on the last 3 months of 2020, I want to share my journey and my “why” behind Queens Conquer to be reminded of my purpose to get back to investing in my brand, as well as encourage you to go all in and conquer your dreams.

Studio 512 Fashion segment on KXAN news featuring Evelyn Beltran, Brittney Denson, Claire Saldana and the former host, Amanda Tatom.

Ever since I could remember, I loved to make my own money and I have worked various jobs from retail to customer service. After college graduation, I knew I wanted to stay in the Austin area so I decided to reach out to an old employer, a family-owned fashion boutique called Young & Fabulous. They were looking to grow their business and their current PR consultant wasn’t providing what they needed, so I sent them my business proposal and they hired me one month after graduation! For two and a half years, I did everything from advertising, event coordination, social media, content production, public relations, wardrobe styling, creative direction to even rebranding the entire business. As I look back on this job, it helped me learn all the various aspects of Public Relations and the many aspects of building a successful business. Little did I know, it was a crucial stepping stone in my journey that prepared me to take on future roles and responsibilities.

I’m sure you’ve heard the quote “It’s not what you know, but who you know” and that’s so true, especially when building a personal brand or career. Being that I was a recent graduate and new to Austin, I wanted to connect with my local community to expand my network. So I utilized social media and immersed myself in the Austin community as much as possible. From attending weekly happy hours, networking events, coffee dates and volunteering with young girls. When I think about each of these experiences I’ve had it’s a testament to the power of a strong and diverse network and the relationships I built along the way.

A night to remember and of course I showed up in true royalty attire and wore one of a kind Shavanthe dress, designed by Theo Andrew, to celebrate the beauty of the African Diaspora.

In 2016, I was the PR director for the Miss Juneteenth pageant where I worked with an amazing team to highlight the history of Juneteenth and the beauty of Black Austin to empower young women. We raised over $10,000 to provide the winner with a scholarship to further her education. This experience gave me an opportunity to conquer my fears by doing live TV and radio interviews, plus it reminded me the importance of confidence and serving the community with a purpose.

The powerful team of women that brought the inaugural Urban Health Expo to life including Sharla Pierre, Terry Pierre, Naomi Onyebuchi, Tonya Brown, Maria Brown, and Ashton Lynne Haywood.

Another community event that I am proud to be a apart of was the inaugural Urban Health Expo hosted by the City of Austin Health & Human Services in January 2017. In only a few months we created a community event that attracted over 400 people for a day filled with powerful conversations on the importance of mental health, living a healthy lifestyle and prioritizing self-care with chefs, professional athletes, trainers, dancers and health experts. This multi-functional event really challenged me to take my PR game to the next level by recruiting talent, creating talking points for the speakers, and moderating panel discussions to highlight the importance of conquering the taboo thoughts surrounding mental health, especially in the Black community.

One of the very first professional photoshoots for NaturallyCurly shot by one of my favorite photographers, Brio.

I had no idea that the Urban Health Expo would lead me to an opportunity at NaturallyCurly.com in February 2017, but it’s a testament to the power of community and the relationships you’re able to create along the way. Working at NaturallyCurly, was my first full-time job and I had the opportunity to touch every aspect of the company to learn the ins and outs of a media company. From writing articles, interviewing hair stylists, covering the biggest hair and beauty moments at New York Fashion Week, partnering with clients to create unique campaigns and managing the overall company strategy; that job exceeded all of my expectations and reminded me the importance of perseverance and creating a strong work ethic.

After several internal changes, an acquisition by ESSENCE and a never ending uphill battle in the workplace- my journey at NC has come to an end, due to the ongoing pandemic and unprecedented changes. Although, it challenged me in ways I can’t even fathom it helped me understand the power of shifting my perspective to conquer any obstacle by embracing change, learning how to pivot to make it happen and leading with intention. Now that I reflect on journey, each opportunity has given me invaluable experience and taught me powerful lessons that I will carry with me on my journey.

NYFW 2019 at a rooftop hotel in Manhattan celebrating Naivaisha, celebrity hairstylist, brand launch and living my best life.

For the next 3 months of 2020, I’m dedicated to putting my energy into things that will actually matter 5 years from now. A few things that come to mind include: being more consistent in every aspect of my life mentally, physically, financially and spiritually, investing in my brand and growing my business by creating intentional content and partnering with brands I value, loving the people in my life unapologetically, serving my community and using my voice to be the change I want to see.

The relationships we build along the way are more important than any job title or position. Sometimes you have to look back to see how far you’ve come. It’s amazing to reflect back on my journey to see the growth and how it’s all connected to my purpose of serving my community and empowering women. I have met so many incredible women along my journey and I’m eternally grateful for my tribe who remind me the power of sisterhood. Here’s a beautiful quote that certainly resonates that I’d like to share with you, by Nikita Gill, “Fill your life with women who empower you, who help you believe in your magic, and help them believe in their own exceptional power and incredible magic too. Women who believe in each other can survive anything. Women who believe in each other create armies that will win kingdoms and wars. Remember always, the only people who can save us are each other, the only people who can love us are ourselves.”

My journey is far from over, but I hope I can inspire you to take a moment to celebrate every season of your life and move forward with courage while becoming the woman you were created to be. Don’t let fear hold you back from tapping into your gifts God has for you. Conquer from within and let go of the idea of perfection and choose progression. Here’s to finishing the year strong, staying focused and faithful.  Let’s get it, Queens!

Much love & many blessings,

Alexandra

Recommit to Yourself & Your Purpose

Image: Cassandra Klepac

2020 has been a challenging year for most of us. Challenges with work, relationships, family life and finances to name a few. It’s no secret that we’re living in unprecedented times, with so much uncertainty and doubt around us. It’s important now more than ever to be intentional with our time and prioritize our relationship with God.

Every morning for the past few weeks, I’ve been setting aside time with God to help me set my intentions for the day to help me be rooted in my purpose and the plan He has for me. This daily devotional time has helped me shift my perspective on what’s truly important in life- serving with a purpose that’s bigger than me.

In this season, I’ve been reminded that it’s never too late to start over and find your way back to Him. His grace is sufficient and unwavering and for that, I’m grateful!

We live in a world that can easily make us feel like we’re not enough, but that’s why it’s so important to know, who we are and who’s we are.

What I value most about social media is how it connects us to people from all over the world who we may have never met that we can learn from and connect with to inspire us, empower us and educate us. I’ve been following Sopha Rush, who is a firm believer in Christ, a wife, mother and powerful writer. She is the founder of Live Deeply Rooted, a sisterhood tribe that strives to be deeply rooted in God, in all areas of life. If you follow me on Instagram, you probably have seen me share her daily prayers and quotes frequently. A few months ago I purchased her 30 day beginner’s guide to intentional prayer and it was one of the best purchases I’ve made during this quarantine time.

The more consistent and obedient I became in seeking God and His word, the more clarity I gained in my life and the purpose He has for me. I’ve been praying for guidance, clarity and peace and recently I felt His grace wash over me and remove the blinders and the weight I’ve been carrying.

I wanted to share it with you to help you gain clarity on your purpose and conquer any doubts, insecurities or fears you may be feeling during this time.

God,

Thank you for always reminding me that even through my insecurities and not feeling like I am enough, you have given me purpose. You told me I belong to you. I don’t have to fight to be loved and feel worthy because you made me belong. You’ve accepted me even in my weaknesses and helped me discover my strength. In Jesus name, Amen.

-Sopha Rush

I know personally I haven’t felt like myself lately. I’ve been feeling anxious, fearful, uncertain and doubtful which has also made me question God rather than trust Him wholeheartedly. What’s so amazing about God is, He knows us better than we know our selves.

God allows us to experience the low points of life in order to teach us lessons that we couldn’t learn any other way.

Lord knows I can be stubborn and hard headed at times, but thankfully He loves me anyway.

I’m here to remind you that whatever you’re searching for, you don’t have to look any further. Whatever is weighing you down, holding you back or stifling your growth – it’s time to let it go!

Everything you go through helps you grow. Pay attention to the lesson.

God has your situation under control, stop worrying.

Even though 2020 has been a year filled with countless challenges, maybe 2020 is the year we all needed to be still, listen, and nourish the gifts He’s given us to serve with a purpose that’s bigger than us.

I want to leave you with a quote from one of my favorite mentors in my head, Elaine Welteroth.

“You have too much in you for God to reward a half-hearted pursuit.”

–Elaine Welteroth

In this season, I am recommitting to prioritizing my relationship with God and investing in the unique gifts He’s given me to empower women to conquer from within and live a life full of purpose and passion.

As we prepare for a new week, what can you recommit yourself to?

Living on Purpose and Leading an Intentional Life

It’s so invigorating sitting at a table surrounded by fearless, bad-ass, creative and multi-talented women who are breaking barriers. Lately, I’ve been reminded the importance of living on purpose and being intentional, so it was only right that I lead the discussion with that topic at my  Queens & Conversation brunch. This past Sunday, I was joined by a group of inspiring women including Olivia, Karyn, Rekha, Ashton, Desiree, Rochelle, Donnet, Tiye, Sydney, Kara and Keisha. We met at Hanks, a woman-owned restaurant that is definitely Insta worthy, not to mention they just released a delicious brunch menu just in time for our gathering.

We had an enriching conversation that centered around the power of being intentional from creating opportunity for people that are underrepresented, owning our narrative, being aware of what we consume in our mind and bodies, what we’re sharing on social media, and consciously investing in our community. The more intentional we strive to become, the universe will align in our favor.

“Never underestimate the power of intention. Your thoughts, words and actions are the keys to your future.”

What’s interesting is that most of the women didn’t know each other before this brunch, but once we began introducing ourselves and sharing our passions we immediately noticed how much we had in common. One of the beautiful aspects of hosting this experience that I enjoy most is bringing women together from a variety of backgrounds and industries to gather and grow through fellowship.

When I decided to create this brunch series a year ago, I knew that I wanted it to be an intimate experience where women could share their professional and personal experiences, while discussing ways we can collaborate to serve our community in a meaningful way. From intentionally hand-picking the guests to determining where we would gather, it is based off intention. I’m so grateful that I’m able to use my gifts to create opportunities for other women to be seen and reminded of their power.

As the year slowly comes to a close, I want to remind you that you still have time to finish strong. I encourage you to take advantage of the time you have and use it wisely. Prioritize what matters most and start working towards it. There is no better time than now. Live everyday with intention to learn something new about yourself and others, take on a new challenge that will bring you closer to your goals, surround yourself with those that bring out the best in you and encourage you to keep going.

Surround yourself with energy that takes you up. Be around people who make you feel good. They’ll help you manifest what you want. 

Much love

Alexandra

 

 

 

 

Boss Up Season: Seizing Your Moment & Living with Intention

Last week I traveled to New York to kick off Fashion Week with NaturallyCurly. As you may know, I’m a full-time editor there where I edit and write articles about all things curly, partner with haircare brands to showcase their latest products and feature visionaries who are leading the textured hair community. Each year NaturallyCurly hosts, Texture on the Runway  and this year was beyond the biggest one yet. From having over 900 attendees to Amara Le Negra co-hosting the show, the event was nothing short of amazing. Being that it was my second year attending/working it, I knew I wanted to make this experience memorable by being intentional in all that I did. From getting my hair done by Tara to staying  a few days after to explore New York, I made sure that it was out of pure intention.

With pure intention comes pure opportunity.

When I started working at NaturallyCurly two years ago, my main role was to edit articles and manage contributors. Being that I was new to the team, I didn’t want to step on anyone’s toes and at times I found myself dimming my light to make others feel comfortable. As time went on, I was asked to be a part of video projects, but I was so afraid of speaking on camera that I cringed at the thought of doing so. Over the past several months, my role as an editor has expanded. I’ve challenged myself to conquer my fears and take on new projects such as being a part of video campaigns, covering live events and interviewing people on camera and leading meaningful conversations in person. All of this lead me to being prepared for moments like the picture above where I had the chance to go backstage at the Cushnie show to interview the lead hairstylist, Ursula Stephen. In case you don’t know, Ursula is the Queen of hair! She has worked with celebrity faves such as Rihanna, Zendaya, Serena Williams and many more. Having the opportunity to meet her was confirmation that everything that I’ve been challenging myself to do was preparation for unforgettable moments like these. To be in a room full of boss women who are dominating their industry and walking in their purpose was a reminder that I’m exactly where I’m supposed to be and it all started with intention and being confident within my ability to show up and own my greatness.

Direct experience is the only valid confirmation.

Once work was done, I made it a point to explore New York and I stayed at a cute and cozy Airbnb in Woodside to get the real New York experience. If you follow me on Instagram you know that I’ve been prioritizing my health and wellness and it truly has been the best investment I’ve ever made. Earlier this year one of my writers featured a Latina woman who is changing the fitness industry for people of color, Samantha Ortiz. She is the founder of the Triple Threat Boot Camp in Brooklyn and was named the best fitness instructor of NYC in 2017. She invited me and my friend Kiana to attend her class during our visit and of course I had to take her up on her offer. As we walked into the beautiful fitness studio and heard the music bumping from the speakers, I was immediately inspired by the energy in the room. It was the toughest workout I’ve done, but it was well worth it. It was so amazing to be led by a woman who is truly invested in changing people’s lives through fitness. I’m glad I was able to finally meet her and witness her passion in person.

Show up for yourself in ways that no one else can.

As my NY trip came to a close I wanted to be sure to be intentional with every minute and I spent the day surrounded by beautiful fearless women at the Fanm Djanm brunch. I met the founder of Fanm Djanm, Paola Mathe, a few months ago in Austin for a shoot and I’m extremely inspired by her creativity, passion and boldness. She has attended NYFW several times and this year she wanted to be more intentional by bringing women together for an intimate brunch. She hosted an exclusive brunch at the Refinery Hotel in Manhattan and it was filled with good vibes and great conversation. I believe there’s so much power by gathering women in an intimate space to share our experiences, lessons and celebrate one another because when one wins, we all win!

Be around the light bringers, the magic makers, the world shifters and the game changers. They’ll challenge you, break you open, uplift you and elevate you to rise to the occasion. Your association determine your destination.

New York can be daunting, chaotic and exhausting, but it’s a reminder that we have the power to create a meaningful life everyday that we’re alive, so make it count. Be intentional with the time you have. Seize the moment and be present in all that you do. I encourage you to conquer your doubts, insecurities and fears. Challenge yourself every chance you get to become better and learn something new. Practice discipline and remain to your purpose. Make your vision so clear that your fears become irrelevant. Trust your intuition and own your greatness. Show up for yourself and watch God work.

Much love and many blessings

Alexandra

 

 

 

 

SisterlyLove Celebration

This past weekend I visited Corpus Christi, TX for a much needed girls trip with my family, filled with lots of love, dancing, endless memories and fellowship. I was raised in a family that is founded on unconditional love, vows to show their support in every way possible and always puts family first and that’s why I cherish my family so much.

“My family is not only my foundation, but my motivation.”

My cousin Constance Staten recently started a Christian non-profit organization dedicated to the spiritual growth and empowerment of women, called SisterlyLove Celebration. She was inspired to create this organization to remind women of their power and purpose, strengthen and celebrate diversity and encourage growth in their journey with God. What’s so beautiful about this organization is that it’s a place for my family to bond, build and create new memories for generations to come.

During our trip we shared unforgettable memories singing our favorite songs on karaoke, danced until our feet hurt, walked the beach and relaxed under the sunset, poured into each other and hosted a panel on the future of dating where we discussed self-love, love vs. infatuation, healing, faith and sisterhood. There were so many gems dropped and meaningful experiences shared that I wanted to share them with you to be a reminder for you a long your journey.

Self-love: Give yourself love, give yourself attention, give yourself time, give yourself power and give yourself to you. The more you believe in yourself and practice who you want to become, God will position you exactly where you need to be. It first starts with you. Reclaim your power and always be aware of your value. Respect yourself and show others how you prefer to be treated with love and compassion. The more you love yourself, the less you seek validation and approval from others. Set boundaries, be clear on your expectations and focus on being a powerful source from within. The better you love yourself, the better others learn to love you. Show them the way.

Sisterhood: Find your tribe of sisters who uplift you, encourage you to stay the course when you feel lost, and offer guidance and support without judgement. Sisterhood is a special and sacred bond that is honest and empowering. Remind them of their magic so that they don’t feel the need to look for those characteristics in a potential spouse. Check in on your sisters, lean into them, let them know how much you love and appreciate them, remind them how proud of them you are, shower them with love and check them when they need it because that’s what sisters are for.

Healing: In order to serve others, you first have to sort through your own mess. Healing comes in waves, lean in your truth, acknowledge your experiences and let go of what no longer serves you. Doing the work is what facilitates healing. In order to mend, we have to show up for ourselves in ways no one else can. Give yourself permission to heal and forgive yourself and others in order to grow. The very moment you allow what happened to you to strengthen you, you win. Choose victory over being a victim. Rise up and conquer from within.

Faith: At the end of the day, all you need is hope and strength. Hope that it will get better and strength to hold on until it does, because it always does. Walking authentically in your light will lead you in the right direction. Trust that your journey is yours & it doesn’t have to mirror anyone else’s path. God is aligning the right people, ideas, places and opportunities in your life. All you need to do is be ready to experience them when they come. Choose faith over fear and God’s favor will put you in positions hustling can’t.

Love vs infatuation: With everything at the touch of our finger tips it’s easy to get infatuated with someone and become obsessed with how they look on the internet. But sis don’t let their looks fool you, dig deeper. Get to know them, their passions, their family, their goals and their relationship with God. That will tell you much more than any photoshopped image on social media. Love is an action not a word. Falling in love is easy, but choosing to stand in it, even through adversity, shifts, and change is the hardwork that isn’t picture perfect. Love requires practice, patience, understanding and partnership. Choose a love that is rooted in God, faith, friendship and commitment. Love is learned and it unconditional.

Much love from my family to yours,

Alexandra

 

You Don’t Have to Have it All Figured Out to Move Forward

 

Two weeks ago, I hosted Queens & Conversation, college edition at St. Genevieve. We talked about the importance of intentional networking, knowing your worth and negotiating pay, choosing faith over fear, prioritizing self-care and leaning on others and knowing that you don’t have to do it alone. As I get older, the power of sisterhood is something I appreciate more and more. I’m forever grateful to gather women and empower them to live a limitless life because we are so much stronger together! Thank you to these beautiful young women for joining me and sharing your passions and goals – God has so much in store for you and I can’t wait to witness it.

This brunch was very special because I didn’t have any knowledge of what life after college would look like for me. I didn’t have a mentor sharing advice, had no job or interviews setup, so I wanted to be sure to pay it forward and share my experiences with these women as they stepped out into the real world. I’ve been out of college for three years and there is so much I wish I had known about transitioning into adulthood. With graduation around the corner, I wanted to share my biggest lessons to hopefully help make your transition smoother and more intentional.

1. Credit is key: Just because you’re making money, doesn’t mean you need to spend it. Believe me, I know how good it feels to secure your first full-time job, but try your best to create a financial plan that works for you and stick to it. My first two years after graduation I did freelance work which involved helping small businesses and local organizations with their pr, marketing and branding strategies, plus worked events as a brand ambassador. I roughly made $20K a year my first two years post college. I look back and have no idea how I made it through, but God made a way. It taught me the importance of saving and building my credit. Having good credit is essential for leasing a car, apartment, furniture, and so much more so protect it. I recently got a credit karma account to monitor my credit and it’s a huge help to get free access to my credit report and track my credit score.
2. Network with a purpose: I’m sure you’ve heard the saying, it’s not what you know, but who you know. This is so true! I understand networking isn’t everyone’s cup of tea and can be dreadful at times, but if you do it with a purpose you’ll find it to be more successful. It’s important to build a network of professionals you can learn from and grow with. Depending on where you live, there are several networking events, workshops and happy hours for young professionals, but remember you don’t have to be at every event. Use eventbrite and Facebook to find events that interest you and challenge yourself to attend one per week. Ask yourself what do you want to get out of this event? Who do you want to meet? Bring your business cards and encourage yourself to connect with at least 3 people. You never know who’s watching, assume everyone is. Own the room and be confident.
3. Self-care is essential for your sanity: I never understood the importance of a morning routine or self-care for that matter, until I worked from home and my life had little to no structure. In order to protect my peace I quickly found that it was essential to set boundaries and be intentional with my time. Whether you choose to meditate, pray, stretch, go for a run/walk, or journal be sure to create a morning routine that sets the tone for your day. Self-care is truly how you take your power back. Even throughout the day when you feel overwhelmed or under pressure, pause, take a moment to go outside and take three 3 deep breaths to refocus. Remember, self-care doesn’t have to be an hour or cost money, but make it a priority to invest in yourself. You’re worth it.
4. Know your worth and negotiate like a boss: Before any interview, research the company and the desired roles salary. Recognize your strengths and know the value you bring, regardless if you have direct work experience. Don’t undervalue your transferrable skills, there are many skills that are transferrable such as being a part of the student council, leading projects and volunteering. Don’t be afraid to ask for more, be confident, explain why you’re with it and watch what happens.
5. You don’t have to do it alone: Even though, you’re capable of doing it all, you don’t have to. There are so many people that are rooting for you and willing to help if you ask. Reach out to your community, friends, family and co-workers if you’re needing support. Asking for help is a sign of strength. Get out of your own way and make room for others to join you a long your journey. Team work makes the dream work.

Congrats to all the college graduates and continue to lead with love in all that you do. Take life as it comes and embrace every shift because change is the only constant in life.  Go at your own pace and honor the process.

With love,

Founder & CEO

Alexandra

 

 

 

Self-care is How You Take Your Power Back

I’m still in awe of how fast this year went by. I’m even more in awe of how much happened this year. Lawd. This has been a hell of a year. To be honest, 2017 was mentally challenging, emotionally draining and filled with countless acts of terror and hate, yet it still provided growth and opportunity for lessons. As I reflect over the year, there’s a few lessons I learned I’d like to share. Even when you feel like the world has let you down, remember who you are and what you stand for. Be gentle with yourself, you’re evolving even on the days you don’t feel like it. Healing comes in waves. To whom much is given, much is required. Rest. Reset. Climb on.

“When life feels like it’s trying to break you, don’t focus on your problems. Focus on your blessings. Take a moment to be thankful for everything you’ve gotten through. You’ve prevailed. You’re blessed & highly favored Queen.”

Yesterday I hosted my last Queens & Conversation brunch of 2017 at Caroline Restaurant with Brenda, Riley, Ishia, Mica, Angela and Alexis. Being that this was a tough for year us all, I wanted to utilize this time to be transparent, vulnerable and supportive. I felt it was important to focus less on what we endured and more on what we learned and overcame. We each shared one thing we learned about ourselves this year which included life lessons such as: Remember, our timing and God’s timing are not the same – trust the process; You are much stronger than you think – believe in yourself ; Offer yourself the same forgiveness you give others – you are deserving;  Listen to your body and give yourself permission to heal, grieve and push forward.

It’s interesting because most of the women didn’t know each other before this brunch, but once we began sharing our stories and experiences we immediately noticed how much we had in common. That’s one of the most beautiful parts of this experience I enjoy most is bringing women together from a variety of backgrounds and interests to gather and grow through fellowship.

We also shined a light on the importance of self-care and how vital it is especially as women because we’re constantly loving, supporting, nurturing and giving to others that we forget to provide that same care for ourselves. I encourage you to take your power back and make yourself a priority. Do what you love. Surround yourself around those that feed your soul, help you grow and make you happy. You are worthy.

Much love & many blessings

Founder & CEO

Alexandra

Here’s What You Need to Start Your Business

Starting your own business can be an exciting and rewarding experience doing what you love. There are many advantages in entrepreneurship such as having a flexible schedule, being your own boss and getting paid to do what you’re passionate about. Before you quit your 9-5 and dive into entrepreneurship, there are a few things that I wish I knew two years ago when I created Queens Conquer, that I’d like to share with you before you take the plunge and create your business.

Start Where You Are, Use What You Have

One of the hardest parts of starting a business is getting started! It can be very overwhelming having what seemslike a million ideas in your mind and not sure where to start. Before doubt and fear creep in and convince you otherwise, take a moment and write down your thoughts. Write down your business plan and how you envision providing value for others. Ask yourself questions such as, “What problems will you solve? Who are you serving? How will you stand out from others in your industry?” Once, you can define these things you can move forward knowing the why of your business and what you’re working with moving forward.

Invest in Yourself

There are several things needed in order to start a business and one of the essentials is taking care of the legalities to protect you and your business. Once you decide on a name, do thorough research to be sure no one else is using that name.

Tip: Namechk is a great resource to use to check to see what’s available across different domains and social media platforms.

Register your business under a Doing Business As aka DBA name. Not all states require a DBA, but most do if you’re a sole proprietor and want to use another name rather than your real name or have an existing Limited Liability Company (LLC). Forming an LLC, is crucial to keep your personal assets separate from your business liabilities. With technology being at the touch of our fingertips, anyone can copy your logo, so invest in your brand and trademark your logo, not just in your state, but across the country to be safe. Also, be sure to copyright your products, workbooks, software, etc.

Tip: Create a business account and keep your business expenses separate from your personal expenses. Here’s a few apps to help you keep your finances organized, track mileage, invoices and more: Mint, Quick Books & Fresh Books.

Tell Your Story

Once you’ve chosen your name and taken care of the legalities, create a website to tell everyone what you offer and how you can help them! First, you want to purchase your domain, then create a website. If you have no HTML experience, you can create a template site from Squarespace, Wix,  or WordPress to get started than can add custom features later. Start with one page at a time, write out your thoughts and add images to help tell your story. Be sure to update your site frequently with new blog posts, products, even updating your about page. This will all help to increase engagement and SEO. You can also integrate your social media on your website to connect with your community consistently.

Tip: To create digital and physical content Canva is a great tool to use for things such as e-mail newsletters, flyers, social media posts etc. 

Secure The Bag

Now that you have a website, how do you get people to visit and purchase your products or services? Give yourself a monthly marketing budget that you strictly use for marketing purposes. Even if it’s $50, start small and promote your business to reach more people. This may include boosted social media posts, business cards, or photography and video services. These are all tax write-offs for your business, so know that it’s worth it in the end! Find out tax deductions for small businesses here. 

Tip: Utilize online marketing services such as  Google AdWords and Facebook & Instagram Ads to build brand awareness and leverage your social networks. Facebook & Instagram business tools are great features to take advantage of if you’d like more information on these tools comment below or e-mail me.

These are some things I learned in the beginning of my entrepreneur journey, that I hope help you. The biggest thing I struggled with was my business finances and taxes, so I definitely encourage to utilize those finance apps and also reach out to a CPA in your area.

Know that the first couple years you will invest a lot of time, energy and money in your business. You will make mistakes, fail, and learn what does and does not work for your business. The motivation will come and go, but remember why you started. Remember, you can’t do it all. Remember, to rest, not quit. Remember, to carve out time for your priorities. Remember, that consistency triumphs perfection.

I hope you find this helpful. What did you wish you knew before you started your business? Anything you’re struggling with related to your business? Comment below so I can help.

Much love & many blessings

Founder & CEO

Alexandra Wilson

Outfit Details: 

Jumpsuit: BCBGen

Shoes: Vince Camuto

Necklace: Zara

MUA: Cassie Yvette

Photography by: CJK

*I originally published this article on Naturallcurly in support of #smallbusinessmonth, with a few edits*

WHY CONTENT IS KING & CONSISTENCY IS QUEEN

There is a lot of work that goes into creating a sustainable, respectable and valuable brand. Regardless of what social media shows us, it’s not always about your followers, but instead your engagement and influence with others. I recently read a post by Lauren Ash of BlackGirlinOm, that reminded me of my power to influence and it really resonated with me that I wanted to share it with you.

“It is my truth that to be truly influential, you have to be authentic. To be truly influential, you have to be moving in alignment with your values and your desires. To be truly influential, you only say yes to that which is in alignment.”

Last year, I was focused on building my clientele that I didn’t have time to create my own content, so this year I intentionally made it a priority to set time aside each month to create and collaborate with others. Here are a few tips when creating content that will help you strategically connect with your community and build your brand.

Create a theme for each shoot and determine your focus. Be sure to express your vision to your photographer so that you’re on the same page. 

Ex: Ask yourself what do you want your readers to take away from this project? What is the purpose behind this photo? How does this image relate to your brand?

Tip: Find a photographer you enjoy working with and set-up a shoot every other month, so you’ll have consistent content and no excuse to not post. In the meantime, share timely updates and experiences, videos + boomerangs and when you’re feeling desperate repost someone’s picture and make it relatable to your brand, of course, credit the source.

Create a strategy to drive engagement once the post is published. 

Ex: Once the post is live, share on your social media accounts. Facebook and Twitter are great because readers can directly access the content by simply clicking on the image. Also, take advantage of the features and apps to schedule posts on these platforms to keep the engagement buzzin’.

Instagram, on the other hand, is more work. Once you add the link in your bio, direct your followers to “read more or check out the full post in my bio”. If you’re concerned about constantly having to switch out links in your bio check out this app called, Link Tree.

IG is filled with so many eye catchy images that you have to be strategic and make your image stand out. If you have a business account, utilize your analytics. It shows you data from when your followers are most active to where they’re from. One of the best times to post is 6pm – 10pm,  plus it will overlap to the next day 😉

Listen and engage with your community. Survey them and find out why they follow you, what they’re in need of and what else they would like to see from you. One of my favorite quotes is, “closed mouths don’t get fed.” As a content creator, it can easily get draining constantly coming up with ideas, so simply ask and take note.

Consistency is KEY. Building a brand is all about trial and error. When something isn’t working, implement a new strategy. For instance, I used to have a pattern of quotes and images on my feed, but I was worried about the “aesthetic” that I wouldn’t post what I really wanted to. Once, I focused more on consistency vs aesthetic, I began to post one post per day sharing what I’m up to, videos, selfies and whatever I felt made sense for my page. I immediately gained 3 times more engagement and would also share more on my IG stories to interact with my community regularly.

Remember your WHY & remain true to who you are.

There are millions of bloggers, influencers, and online resources so how will you stand out? Be personal, share your story and be transparent. There are so many people selling something on digital media that by you simply being your authentic self it will attract the right people. You’d be surprised how many things fall into place when you learn to follow your spirit and speak with your soul.

Much love & many blessings

Founder & CEO

Alexandra Wilson

Outfit Details: 

Entire look from Kiki Nass

Photography by: CJK

Brooklyn is What Dreams are Made Of

Earlier this year I told myself, that 2017 will be the year where I travel more and step outside my comfort zone with every chance I get to learn something new about myself and the world. Last weekend, I traveled to Brooklyn, NY with a group of friends to attend the Afropunk Festival. More than a music festival, Afropunk is a part of black culture. Where people from all over come to celebrate the magic we hold, our love for music, unique fashion and multi-dimensional culture. It’s a safe place that thrives off inclusivity and the only rules at Afro punk are:

No Sexism

No Racism

No Ableism

No Ageism

No Homophobia

No Fatphobia

No Transphobia

No Hatefulness

This was my first time attending Afropunk and it was most definitely a memorable experience from all the beautiful brown people glowing, dancing, thriving and vibing. I went on day two and had a chance to witness electrifying performances by NAO, Anderson Paak, and Kaytranada. I love live music and even though I enjoyed myself I did feel extremely anxious due to the huge crowds. I didn’t realize until we got there that it was going to be such a giant festival with 5 stages, where some of your favorite artists are playing at the same time and it’s tough getting to the other stages. Honestly, my highlight of Afropunk was the after party hosted by Soulection featuring Sango. I listen to Soulection religiously and was so excited to finally catch a live event of theirs because they not only create good vibes, but educate you on what you’re listening to especially since most of today’s music is samples it’s good to know where it originated. They kicked if off with Andre Powers, The Whooligan and Sango. Sango is by far one of my favorite artists and producers who loves to incorporate his love for Brazilian afro-beats with trap music.

Top & Skirt: LFstores  photo by @stylefeen

Even though our main reason for visiting Brooklyn was for Afropunk we wanted to be sure to explore the city and utilize every opportunity to experience the New York lifestyle. We stayed at an Airbnb, in the most beautiful, quiet and convenient neighborhood called Prospect Heights. It was only a couple blocks from the Brooklyn Museum, Prospect Park and surrounded by lots of amazingly delicious restaurants and coffee shops. I consider myself to be a certified foodie and love trying out new restaurants. When we arrived our superstar host took us around the neighborhood and gave us a tour of where to eat, hang out and things to do. That was so helpful because whenever we were on our own we had a sense of our surroundings and knew where to go. Just a heads up everyone walks in NY, so bring a pair of comfy shoes.

Pants: Shavanthe

While we were in Brooklyn we ate at Sweet Chick, a southern spot that is known for their chicken and waffles and good vibes, Cent’Anni, an Italian spot known for their homemade pasta dishes, Two8Two, a burger joint that oozes goodness, Cheryl’s Global Soul, a cozy cafe that offers the perfect brunch and soul food, and last but certainly not least Van Leeuwen , an ice-cream and coffee shop that makes vegan and classic ice-cream from scratch.

Our second day we took the subway to Manhattan, which is by far the best way to travel if you’re going more than 6 blocks away. It’s cheaper than an Uber and it’s a good way to sight see. Be sure to stay on your toes for the hustlers on the subways who are dancing and singing to get you to cough up some coins. When we arrived we went to Chelsea Market, which is one of the greatest indoor food halls filled with unique shops and vendors. It was extremely busy so we grabbed a drink and quickly headed back out the doors. We perused the streets of Manhattan for hours until we stumbled upon the Flatiron district which had blocks of great shopping from luxury to department stores.

Overall, it was a wonderful time in NY and I’m excited to be going back in a couple weeks for Fashion week!

I encourage you to change the scenery of your life. It’s a chance to refresh, learn, compare, meet new people, make new friends, view things anew and to grow. 

Have you been to Brooklyn? What are some of your favorite places to visit?

Much love

Founder & CEO,

Alexandra