Sassy Women Online » shining stars

Shining Star: Her Journey

Eva — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 19:49:55 +0000

SASSY’s own Lady D recently launched Her Journey, a women’s travel magazine that is also dedicated to offering guidance for one’s individual journey to success. It is available at www.herjourneymag.com.

What inspired you to start Her Journey Magazine?
Immediately after graduating from Emory University, I felt like I was pushed into the world naked. I was overwhelmed with decisions and felt ill-equipped to make them. Discussing my dilemma with friends, I realized that a lot of my peers are in dire need of guidance. With a mission similar to that of SASSY, I set out to educate and inspire women in the tender years of the twenties. I incorporated the theme of travel because it is one of my passions. Also, through travel one can learn to explore beyond your comfort zone, a great approach for experiencing life in general.

What’s going to happen to Women Everywhere now?
I created the What Women Everywhere Want network with the mission to give the gift of happiness to my girlfriends. Although Her Journey is my current project, I will always incorporate that mission into everything I do.

I can imagine it takes a lot of work to get every issue out, how do you stay motivated?
I love it! With Her Journey, I’m allowed to combine several of my passions: traveling, writing, and enlightening women. I can honestly say that I thoroughly enjoy what I’m doing, even when it gets difficult. Constantly think of my original mission to educate and inspire keeps me going. I’ve accepted that this is all part of my purpose, and I cannot abandon it. Also, the feedback is definitely a bonus.

Who or what inspires you?
I pull inspiration from everywhere. I’ve always loved Khadijah and Flavor Magazine from Living Single, and I thoroughly enjoy watching the inner workings of Mode Magazine on Ugly Betty.

Russell Simmons, Diddy and Alicia Keys are my three hugest celebrity inspirations, not so much for what they’re famous for within the industry but for who they are beyond that. The three of them go above and beyond the norm. Books like Get Yours, Do You and Think Big, just to name a few, have been a huge inspiration. And of course, other magazines are tangible examples of what I would like to someday accomplish.

What’s in the future for Her Journey?
You can expect big things. Her Journey is going to host networking events, girlfriend getaways workshops and seminars. Stay tuned because this is just the beginning. I’m excited about the possibilities!

Any advice for budding entrepreneurs?

Identify your passions.
Equip yourself with adequate resources.
Go for it NOW!

All SASSY readers are invited to join the Her Journey Facebook group to stay updated on what’s going on with Her Journey.

Shining Star: l’élephant rose

Eva — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 19:22:49 +0000

Brooklyn born and bred SASSY lady Sherisa Vassel recently started l’élephant rose, a jewelry and accessories line.

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S: How did you start L’élephant rose?
L: I just left my job in March and I have always wanted to have my business, so I figured now was as good as any time. I’ve honestly always loved working with my hands since I was a child. For a short while, I wanted to be a carpenter growing up. I spent plenty of time reading reading and practicing until I felt positive enough about my work to actually sell it. So I guess it’s a “Phoenix rising from the ashes” sort of story. [Are there actual stories like that? ]

S: What inspires you?
L: Music, fashion, weather, my own crazy imagination, my love, reading good work, being around friends. Laughter despite everything. My mother and the stories I remember from my grandmother inspire me. Much of the past, its beauty and pain are major influences as well.

S: What’s your motivation right now?
L: My main motivation is my future. I am eager to see what’s in store for me. Just like other areas that are near and dear to my heart, I feel right about the steps I’m taking towards my future. When I left my job, I felt I had nothing to lose. So everything coming to me is gain, and I love it.

S: Do you have any advice for the SASSY ladies out there?
L: Be everything you feel in your heart you are. Live fiercely and passionately. And at then end of the day, give thanks. Give thanks to those who helped you when you were at your worst. Give thanks to the blessings that will follow in the future. And understand living well is not only a right, it’s a blessing. Also, be extremely smart about what you want to do. I saved like a hawk anyway so it was easy to walk away from steady income. Be sure you are financially sound enough. If it means waiting 6 months and cutting out all expense to live your dream, those will be very cherished 6 months.

S: What are your favorite pieces?
L: Some of my favorite pieces are a head band and jewelry set I made recently. I love when an idea just comes to me and I work at it until I am satisfied with the outcome. I spent hours going from one store to another digging through piles of vintage pieces and mentally created this beautiful necklace as I walked around. I definitely feel like that piece not only spoke to the person I made it for, but to my entire emotional setting. I only create when I’m in a positive mood, because I am a firm believer in an exchange of energies and want the person to feel some of what I felt as I worked on their art.

(necklace, sold out)

head band, $32

Want to know more about l’élephant rose? Check out her blog, or catch up with her on twitter or facebook.

Also, every 10th of the month l’élephant rose has a sale. Check it out and enjoy.

Shining Star: Ganache Couture

Eva — Tue, 30 Sep 2008 15:36:32 +0000

SASSY’s own Quianna has up and started her own online boutique: Ganache Couture. We sat down with Quianna and asked her a few questions. Check it out:

SASSY: What inspired you to start Ganache Couture
Quiana: I’ve always loved fashion and wanted to own a boutique but never really had a plan of attack. When I moved back to Atlanta from DC last year, I met Tashia Joyner, owner of Shiami Doors boutique in the Atlanta area. I was out shopping one day and visited her boutique. She was very nice and inviting, so we started chatting. Long story short, she brought me onboard as a personal shopper/stylist for her boutique and kept reminding me to pursue my dream. Soon after, I decided to move forward and launch Ganache Couture. I’ve always thought footwear, handbags, and a nice chic coat puts the icing on the outfit, so those are the focus areas for our merchandise at Ganache Couture. That’s also the inspiration for the name of the boutique.

S: How do you manage this and your 9 to 5?
Q: I’m very blessed and lucky to have a 9-5 at a company that allows me to live wherever I want to and work from home every day (except for the times I have to travel for business meetings). So, my schedule is
very flexible and leaves me time to do other things for myself, such as launch and manage Ganache Couture.

S: What is your favorite piece?
Q: Ok…I can’t just name one piece, so I’ll give you two. Our Tarah Smith Wino hobo bag in Tiger: Love, love, love it! And so does everyone else who sees me carrying it. It’s a unique bag made of pony hair and leather that you will not see alot of people with. Very important to me, because I feel a certain (negative) way about looking like other people…it’s just unnecessary, in my opinion.

The other piece is our Alligator Print Leather thigh-high boot from Kathryn Amberleigh. You can wear it several different ways: pulled straight up, pulled up/flap down, slouched down/flap up, or slouch down/flap down. Fierce versatility, I tell ya!

S: How do you keep motivated?
Q: I’ve finally found something that I’m truly passionate about so the motivation comes naturally. In technology sales, we always ask our customers what keeps them up at night to determine what their main
focus/passion is. Now I know what that means. Ganache Couture keeps me up at night. It’s a great feeling!

S: Where you do you see yourself in 5 years?
Q: 5 years? I can’t let the cat completely out of the bag, but I will say that expansion is a key aspect of the vision. Stay tuned!

S: Any words of advice for future business owners?
Q: Uncover and pursue your passion, follow your gut, research (knowledge is power), and most importantly expand your personal and professional networks. If you continue to surround yourself with the same and stay in the same environment, that’s what you can expect…more of the same!

Feel free to contact me at qzcouture@gmail.com if you have more targeted questions though. I’m always available to chat and help where I can. And check out the boutique’s blog too!

And a special gift to SASSY readers, use the code W2GCB to get 15% off your first purchase at Ganache Couture.