Brace Yourself For Up and Coming Jewelry Designer Myisha Croom-Turner

We scheduled an early interview after we both dropped our children off at school which meant around 9:30am worked best for us to meet. Myisha who is the designer behind the wonderful chunky jewelry designs sold at the“Brace Yourself Boutique.” She is the brand behind the jewelry, every bit of what I would think bohemian style would be. She has a confident yet calm demeanor with a friendly upbeat personality. Something like a girlfriend you have known for years would be like, just hanging out discussing life. As I drove to her home in Fontana, I myself have only been living in Southern California for 2 years, so even with the availablity of mapquest I felt more comfortable about having Myisha instruct me as I got closer to her exit. When she opened the door I was greeted with a friendly hug. I stepped into her beautifully decorated home with walls painted in a soothing blue color, that I will describe as a “Tiffany” blue with a hint of grey, I love the color. This was the prelude for the tone of our visit. She had told me she enjoyed coffee as do I and she lead the way to through the kitchen where the family room was located also and with coffee in hand we began having great conversation instead of just a interview. We ended up talking for hours about many aspects of business, then I finally remembered to ask the "interview" questions. And here is what she had to say:

Where did you first get the idea to start your business?

It was really organic the way my business began. I was a new Mom and looking for a way to earn extra income due to the increased expenses of having a child :-) I'd always loved accessorizing, and decided to start making my own pieces, and possibly making them for others. I started wearing my creations at work and co-workers began asking me to design jewelry for them. That was in 2000. I didn't officially put a name to my business, or obtain licensing for Brace Yourself Boutique until 2007 when I decided to become a small business owner.

On your website you said your goal was to create timeless and funky jewelry that transcends changing trends. How do you judge if you are meeting that goal?

I judge if I am meeting my goal by speaking with my clients. I don't always have time to talk on the phone, but I like to think that I'm very "email" accesible. I try very hard to follow up regularly, and make sure that my clients are satisfied with their purchases to ensure they are getting multiple usage out of their baubles. My goal is to create jewlery that people can wear anytime of the day or night. Whether it be on date night with their partner, shopping with the girls, or on a Sunday afternoon at the local grocery market. I love receiving feedback from my clients...good, or bad. My clients are who keep me in business, and if I don't know how they truly feel about my collections or products, then I'm not being true to my mission which is to create pieces that are timeless and always stylish for them.

You first created “Brace Yourself Boutique” in 2007. Why did you choose this name?

Honestly, Brace Yourself (I added the Boutique when I opened my online store) was chosen because my initial idea and focus was to create ONLY bracelets. Hence the name Brace Yourself. However, over the years I began receiving request for other items, so my business grew and evolved which I am truly happy about. So now since I have many other business ideas and ventures (Sip n' Shop, Farmer's Market 09') the name Brace Yourself has taken on a new meaning for me. It now represents my declaration to express myself, and my creativity in whatever outlet that may be for me. Skies the limited, so Brace Yourself!

November 2007 you created the event called “Sip n Shop” Girls Night Out. Why?

I created Sip n' Shop for several reasons. First, because I live in a developing community with a shortage of events for the community and I wanted to create something for working moms, single moms, and hardworking women to do that was an alternative to the club. Next, I saw it as an excellent opportunity to present women business owners to the my community where they could expose their wares and services to a target market. Last but certainly not least, it's an opportunity for me to donate a portion of the proceeds to organizations that benefit children.

WoW! A new collection every 2-3 months, where do you get your ideas and how do you keep creativity flowing?

I get my ideas from just about anywhere and everywhere. I love fashion, home decor, various music genres, travel, art...the list goes on and on, so I draw tons of inspiration from my loves and from other designers as well. I work hard to produce seasonal collections to give women the opportunity to change jewelry with their clothing every couple of months or so.

I noticed that for a fairly new indie designer you are making moves. You have you jewelry being sold in boutiques even in Texas how did you make that happen?

I am thrilled to have my wares in a few boutiques! Well I definitely don't take my business lightly, and if I see a great fit/opportunity for my jewelry to be in a certain boutique, I contact the owner or buyer ASAP and set up a meet. I've literally drove to various boutiques (door to door style) and asked owners if they would be interested in carrying my jewelry. That's how I sold to my first boutique in Claremont, Ca. The other two businesses contacted me. The boutique in Texas saw my wares on myspace, and the other was a referral from a client. It's all about working hard to make sure your product is where YOU want it to be. Networking is key (myspace, facebook, etsy, indie fabulous, sip n' shop, etc.), blogging to promote your business, believing in your product, and most importantly remaining timely and professional in all aspects of the business. I also recomment participating in local events, fairs, and trade shows. Many of my clients and newsletter subscribers are people I've met participating in fairs, and various shows throughout California.

Myisha Croom-Turner
Brace Yourself Boutique
www.BraceYourselfBoutique.com
www.Myspace.com/sipandshop
909.471.3116
Receive 15% off by using the code: THANKS08 at checkout.

Creating Wearable Art and gaining a following for her bohemian style. Go to her online Boutique, but be aware the pieces are very enticing you just may find something you can't live without.

Helping You Nurture Your Natural Beauty

We love to showcase women in business, here at BBMBS and today we are interviewing, Sheya L. Chisenga, founder of Nurturing Beauty, Bath and Body products. We had the pleasure of conducting a product review for a couple of her body products. Our first impression of her company was the beautiful little chinese take out box that the products we placed in, oh so carefully. When the products arrived, the way they are packaged play a big part in feeling "nurtured," upon opening the box I found a green chinese take-out box and before even opening it, the pleasant, fragrant smell of goodness started to penetrate the air. I had found inside two products to be reviewed.

Nurturing Beauty
THE REVIEW
1). Mango Souffle- As described on the website: A light whipped body cream drenched with avocado oil, shea butter and mango butter.

I had never tried a souffle body cream before, so I was very interested in trying it out. Visually the souffle is fluffy, like a whip topping used on desserts. And the mango fragrance reminded me of my visits to Jamaica, waves of fresh ocean breeze. I've tried product that claim to have shea butter in them but none of them felt as moisturizing as this, maybe it is the mix of the avocado oil along with the she butter that makes this product a quality buy.

2). Body and Hair Gloss, Cupcakes- multi-purpose product Some suggested uses: eliminating rough dry areas on your body and great as a hot oil treatment for hair.

For me this product was best used after your bath/ shower. I found that a little went a long way, after towel drying I would squirt two pumps of the oil into the palms of my hands and massaged it into my skin and the oil retained the moisture all day. And as for use on my hair I found it to be a bit heavy, but when used on my daughters it worked fine. The oils penetrait the hair follicle leaving her hair smooth and soft to the touch, not oily. I would recommend using this product in coarse and dry hair types. And for normal to dry skin types, this provides great body moisturizing benefits.

THE INTERVIEW
BBMBS: We are always fascinated with how women in business get their first idea to start their business. Can you tell us a bit of how this came about?
SHEYA: It has been always I dream of mine to have my own business, but I really didn’t know what. I knew I wanted to help people feel great about themselves and with a lot of prayer I realize that I love natural products and realize I can create my own line. Through a lot of research, taking classes and Faith, I step out on my dream.

BBMBS: In business we understand that things don't always go smoothly. Who/ what inspires you to keep going in your efforts of building your business?
What inspires me is that I want to be able to have my own schedule, the freedom to use my creativity and passion to really help people feel great about themselves. The most important for me is one day I will have a children and I want to be able to have the freedom to be at home with them.

BBMBS: What does the Nuturing Beauty line, plan to produce in the coming years?
SHEYA: My plan is to create a complete line of Natural Products for the whole family that includes the face, body, hair and home.

BBMBS: What are your top selling products? And why do you think these products are at the top of the list?
SHEYA: Soufflés and soaps, People love how the soufflés moistures without filling oily or sticky and the fragrance not to light or not to heavy. Our Natural soaps leave your body with a very clean feel but most of the customers who suffer with some type of second condition (eczema, rashes) the flare ups have been very minimal since they have started using the natural soaps

BBMBS: We noticed you offer your products for wholesale. Where are some upcoming events our boutique owners can attend to see your products showcased?
SHEYA:I will be in Pittsburg, CA at a Breast Cancer Education Event.

BBMBS: What is your most valuable beauty secret?
SHEYA: To cleanse, tone, exfoliate (twice a week) and moisture. You must exfoliate your skin it leaves the skin looking refreshed and brighter, as you are revealing the younger skin underneath.

More of Nurturing Beauty at:
www.naturallynurturingbeauty.com
www.nurturingbeauty.blogspot.com
www.naturallynurturingbeauty.podbean.com
www.youtube.com/NurturingBeauty

COMING SOON

We are sooo, excited.


We are hand picking the website we link you to "cream of the crop." We will link you to what we believe are great businesses offering you great merchandise. Indie fashion and beauty, designers and formulators of fashions, jewelry, scarves, hats, makeup, bath and body. We believe that the people behind the products are passionate about what they are bringing to market and it shows in their work. So please take the time to see what they have, shop their sites and have fun.

And YES we want to here from you, shoot us and email.

And don't forget to sign up for our Newsletter. Indie Fabulous, news and events.

Things We Cherish

From time to time I do a self analysis and think about who I am and way. The this time I was going through my closet, getting rid of a few things and I came upon a purse that I chose from my mothers things after she passed away. As I held the purse I thought about how fashion forward she was. I know I get my love of fashion from her. The way she took the time to care about her appearance even after she was diagnosed with inopperable cancer, was remarkable. This was a example to me of her strength. Even when I would take her to chemo she dressed well and took the time to put on her perfume. While a chemo she would encourage the other patients to have faith and stay strong. When she became physically weak and couldn't dress herself, she had us dress her in what she had told us to. Sometimes I thought it wasn't important with all the things we were going through. But now what I have realized is that keeping her appearance up even with her bald head, which she wore proudly, she was showing me how to not give up even if they say it's over. I am proud to be my mothers daughter, she was strong and oppinionated, which sometimes resulted in conflict between us but I come to understand that her love was the motivation behind it all. I miss everything about my mother. She was a person that did not give up easy. The pink leather purse represents to me not just her fashion sense but her ability to be herself no matter what, I only hope that I am as strong as she was. She was the leader in her family, her sibblings aways looked to her for her advice.
I am working to be a source of strength to my sibblings and children. There are very few things that I hold dear and this pink leather purse serves as a reminder to me to live the best life I can.

What do you hold dear and why?

In The Business of Cosmetics

Fugly Lab is a cometics company
founded by Onamia Chun pictured here.


How was the concept for Fugly Lab born?

Necessity is the mother of invention: I bought thousands of dollars worth of products because it was celebrity endorsed, promised amazing results, or was pressured by a beauty technician. In the end, some products worked well, others did not. The result was drawers full of barely used products.

Some companies and department stores would give samples, but they either required a purchase or filling out a long survey. Finally, when given the sample (usually an overstocked item) it was too pink or too beige for us ethnic beauties. The customer was never given the freedom to only try the product she wanted.

Instead complaining about my frustration, I decided to start my own company which gave women of color complete control to try the new products they wanted without all the fuss. That is our tagline: Select. Sample Simple. I also keep the prices affordable because there is no point in pay $50 for a sample.

How did you end up in a career in the makeup industry?

I would just say I enjoy buying products and as a result I have learned about the industry.

What is the best part of being the CEO of your own online store?

As a mother of three, I enjoy the flexibility and freedom of my own online store. My children and my husband are my biggest priorities. Since I am the boss, I have the freedom to make my own schedule or even take a day off as needed to just be a mom. I like that I can have my own projects but still attend PTA meetings, field trips, baseball games, and ballet practice.

How do you decide what products you will offer your clients?

First, the product must be phenomenal. Period. Second, the product should be designed specifically for women of color or appropriate for use by women of color. I will not carry products that make black women look ashy or asian women look oily. I prefer more natural and organic products because I want my great-grandchildren to be able to enjoy this earth as much as I do.

What are some of your favorite products from the current selections?

My favorite products:

Hair: Curls Soufflé: I use it almost everyday. It tames my curls and eliminates frizz.

Body: FizzyHabit bath bombs (vanilla scent): Words do not give justice to this product. Everyone just needs to try it.

Makeup: mark. Hookups: As an on-the-go mother, it is nice to have lip gloss and mascara within easy reach. Even as a mother, I want to look great all the time; I just need a quick and convenient way to get it done. I keep a hookup in the diaper bag, one in my purse, and one in my car.

What is your number one beauty secret?

SUN BLOCK! I remember my mom constantly nagging me to wear sun block. Now that I have children, I have become the sun block nag. I have it in the car, in all the bathrooms, in the beach bag, on my vanity, etc. Plus, my mom does not have any wrinkles so the “proof is in the pudding.”

Women of color are blessed with more melanin in our skin than our ivory beauties; nevertheless, I do not take the blessing as a free pass to skip the sun block step in my beauty regime. I want my skin to look great when I am 70. I wear makeup because I like it; not because I have to wear it. There is a huge difference.

What was the best part creating Fugly Lab?

The best part is I have a legal and tax deductible way to feed my product junkie addiction. A close second, is helping women of color find the perfect products for them without spending a ton of money to do it.

With the current economy, women shoppers have to be savvy about how they spend their hard earned money. Women still want to be pretty and able to experiment with new looks even on a tight budget. Fugly Lab meets this need for women of color.

What’s next for Fugly Lab?

Our goal is to open a retail store in Los Angeles by late 2009. In addition, I am constantly on the hunt for new brands and products. I welcome any suggestions from readers.

PRODUCT REVIEW

1). Lacquer On The Run: Nicole by O.P.I With it's twist on cap is great to keep in the purse for touch ups if you are as rough on your hands as I. O.P.I products are known for their long lasting chip resistant ability, so if you aren't abnormally rough with your hands I believe long lasting would apply to the Nicole, Nic's Stick.

2). Just Enough Color: Anna Sui Lip Rough
I love lip gloss and this one has just enough color to enhance your lips without being to shiny or oily feeling. The petite lip compact with the rose embosed lid was an indicator of the fragrance that was infused in the gloss. I love to recieve many types of flowers, and roses is one of them but I don't care for my perfumes or any products I wear on my body to have rose as the front running scent.This product would not be a good fit for my make-up bag, but for those of you that don't mind the rose scent, I say the color and gloss is good and the moisture is just enough.


3). Creamy Luxury: Dermetologica, essential cleansing solution
Cleansing my face is a daily ritual and my skin is normal, not oily or dry and even though this would seem to be the perfect balance, I tend to need moisture after a facial cleansing. With this product I went with out putting on a moisturizer after it's use just to see how it turned out and I did not feel extra dry like other products I have used in the past.

4). Body Moisturizing: The Fizzy Habit The fizz reminds us of that of an alka-seltzer and it last about as long with the soak in the tub comes a great balance of moisturizers, not oily, not heavy, leaving the skin with a even amount of softness and sheen. I enjoy taking baths and finding great soaking aids and the fizz is on my list of great soaks.

WWW.fuglylab.com