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Meet Accented Glory's #BeDifferent natural hair feature Latavia (Lala) Walston! She is Editor-in-Chief of Clutch Your Closet Blog - A fashion, beauty, and lifestyle blog.  Latavia (Lala) of Clutch Your Closet Being different to me means embracing who you are individually. God only made one you, so you have to learn to love "your different" from head to toe. Embracing your different requires you to fall in love with yourself, from loving your hair, your talents, and even your flaws. - Latavia (Lala) Walston Follow Latavia (Lala) Walston at...
Personal Instagram: @lmarkeinparis Blog: @clutchyourcloset on Instagram, and Facebook Twitter: @closetclutch Blog website: clutchyourcloset.com Accented Glory has kicked off our #BeDifferent campaign with Accented Glory Naturals Facebook Group content curator Lorna! Lorna is a natural hair enthusiast whose specialty is locs and loc care. She's an amazing creative who wrote a #BeDifferent Haiku!  Lorna of Accented Glory Naturals My natural self Challenges accepted norms. Those "norms" then conform. Lorna Are you a blogger, vblogger, or content curator? If so, check out Accented Glory's Affiliate Toolbox and see how you can possibly generate some passive income!
Accented Glory interviewed Terral of I Am RallyGirl, LLC! She is a natural hair influencer that also has a passion for art/culture and positive lifestyle. Check out her brand's story below! I Am RallyGirl - Brand Feature What inspired you to create your brand? My inspiration came from my YouTube viewers & subscribers. Initially, my channel was meant to be a "consumer reporting" hub, where I would try out & demonstrate various household, home & garden, and beauty products to see if they really work. However, when I launched a natural hair video, I received several messages from naturalistas who were struggling with caring for their hair. They were also concerned with retaining length, and having an easy regimen. This made me want to help other naturals see how low maintenance, and versatile their hair is, and that's what fueled I Am RallyGirl™, LLC; "Versatile. Simple. Afro. Hair Care.". The entrepreneur life can be like a roller coaster ride; ups, downs, and loops! What keeps you motivated? My primary motivation is knowing that I've already asked God for what I need, so I can focus on doing the work: Being of service to others, remaining grateful for what I have, and staying positive (this one can be challenging). I enjoy it, so I look forward to doing it daily. Then, exercising my patience: Taking it one day at a time, knowing that one step forward, whether big or small, is a step in the right direction. The journey can be difficult, but it's all a test. So, when the obstacle shows itself, my task is to determine ways to get around it, over it, or through it. There may be tears along the way, but that's cool; I dig a good cry. LOL!! Growth is intrinsic in brand building. What do you foresee as the next level for your brand? Ironically, my brand now also includes my other niches (art & culture, and positive lifestyle), and is constantly developing. I look forward to more collaborations with other great brands. I Am RallyGirl™, LLC is branching out and is organically evolving into a digital content creating & marketing company, that has helped a few other small businesses, start-ups, and non-profits with their brand strategy, and digital marketing needs. What advice would you give someone who's considering becoming an entrepreneur? Brainstorm ways you can monetize what you are passionate about. Invest time. Be consistent. Have faith in you. Compare yourself to no one. Study your craft. Research ways to get started for FREE (or at least at minimal cost) until you get your footing, then invest in your business. Have fun. Evolve. Terral - Visionary of I Am RallyGirl, LLC  Follow I Am RallyGirl iamrallygirl.com youtube.com/user/IAmRallyGirl facebook.com/iamrallygirl/ twitter.com/IAmRallyGirl instagram.com/iamrallygirl/ pinterest.com/iamrallygirl/ iamrallygirl.tumblr.com/ Google Plus - I Am RallyGirl Accented Glory interviewed Kim Richard of Natural Roots LLC! Kim is a natural hair advocate and influencer. She has found her happy in all things beauty!  What inspired you to create your brand? What and who inspired me to create my brand was my husband. After he encouraged me to go natural, I wanted to learn everything I could about my hair in its natural state. This inspired me to share my love and knowledge with other naturals. The entrepreneur life can be like a roller coaster ride; ups, downs, and loops! What keeps you motivated? What keeps me motivated is just that, I'm an entrepreneur to my heart and no matter what comes my way in life that tries to distract me from my course I always find myself back in business for myself. I'm a serial entrepreneur...LOL Growth is intrinsic in brand building. What do you foresee as the next level for your brand? I foresee Natural Roots LLC collaborating with major brands that I believe in; to give them more exposure to my community. What advice would you give someone who's considering becoming an entrepreneur? If you have thin skin it's not for you, stay consistent, believe in yourself and stay prayed up.  My Journey Most would probably classify me as a natural hair veteran. I began my natural hair journey in 2001, before the natural hair movement regained its popularity post 60s and 70s. Like most, when I first started out, I struggled with finding hair care products that met my natural hair needs. It was also difficult to find hair accessories. Most hair accessories in retail stores catered to a much younger demographic and were not natural hair friendly. So here I was, in a dilemma. I wanted to dress up my new natural tresses with age appropriate accessories, without damaging my hair. Fast-forward 12 years later, after raising three beautiful daughters who are also naturals, I picked up a new hobby – crafting hand-made hair accessories. The hobby was both a time filler and therapeutic. Once I had a few prototypes created, I was surprised to find that my daughters liked the designs and started to wear them regularly. Soon they began to request specific designs, like the afro puff holder, to accent certain natural hairstyles. Other natural haired women started to notice our hair accessories and asked where we got them. When they found out I made the accessories, they wanted to purchase my products! So my daughters and I took a leap of faith and launched a handcrafted hair accessory brand for women called Accented Glory.  Inspiration Results Many positive things have been birthed through my natural hair journey, most of which are related to my brand. Before starting Accented Glory, I had no entrepreneurial or marketing experience. With the guidance of my oldest daughter and small business online groups, I've learned a lot in the past few years about marketing and entrepreneurship. I’ve also built a natural hair Facebook group community, Accented Glory Naturals, of 300+ members that I co-manage with my daughters. The relationships I have established as an entrepreneur have been great. I’ve met other forty plus female entrepreneurs who have decided to pursue their passions later in life too. Many of us are balancing full time jobs while building our brands. I’ve chosen to keep my full time job because I have two daughters in college. The steady income from my 9-5 helps to ensure their tuition is paid. Although having a full time job and business can be stressful at times, I'm thankful that my three daughters are actively engaged in helping me build the Accented Glory brand. I honestly couldn't do it without them - they have truly become my tribe; my support system! Lastly, my natural hair journey has taught me a lot about myself, my passions, and my drive. Whether it's building a brand or mastering a flat twist style, with the right tools, I can do anything I put my mind to. Building my own brand has helped me to discover my passion to create beautiful things by hand. Now anyone can reap the benefits of this passion when they wear my hair accessories. Accented glory fosters my daily drive to be a better version of myself and to turn obstacles into stepping-stones. I can’t wait to see where my natural hair journey will take me next. Tonya – Visionary and Accent Designer of Accented Glory We NOW have "Embrace Greatness" Lady Tees! Visit our online store to purchase.  Since being natural I have been able to love and appreciate myself more! I have learned to love my hair for what it is - kinky, coily and a little frizzy! It has been an awesome journey learning my hair and making the right choices to bring my hair to its healthiest. Though I have had some difficult moments with my hair, overall being natural is the best thing I could have done for my hair - it is healthier, thicker, longer and stronger and the last time I recall my hair like this, I was a young child. Then, I did not really appreciate my hair type but now I have embraced its uniqueness. I know to some, maybe many, it's "just hair" but being able to truly love and accept my hair has boosted my confidence and creativity and I'm excited to be able to encourage others to experience this journey as well! Morgan (Instagram: The4cProject)  We NOW have "Embrace Greatness" Lady Tees! Visit our online store to purchase.  I started my natural hair process in 2013, however, I didn't truly embrace the idea of being natural until 2015. When I started the process in 2013 it was simply because my hair was extremely damaged due to dying and relaxers. I decided I would give up the relaxers in an effort to maintain my color....I just wasn't ready to go gray. Well, let's fast forward to 2015. On July 1, 2015, I was diagnosed with breast cancer. Prior to the start of chemotherapy I was told I would loose my hair in about 14 days. My oncologist was right. In two weeks I was bald. Five months after being completely bald, I embraced being natural. In January 2016 my new hair blossomed. Although, I love this brand new, chemical free, beautiful hair, I do understand, "I am NOT my hair." Benet   We NOW have "Embrace Greatness" Lady Tees! Visit our online store to purchase.  Being natural my entire life has given me the opportunity to experience versatility in hairstyle choices over the years and especially in most recent times. However, I can easily recall when salons were inundated with Cosmetologists providing a variety of hair relaxers/perms, hair straighteners and chemical treatments to their clients and being natural was rare. Growing up, I was happy that I didn't experience the horror stories that my friends shared about scalp irritation, head sores, chemical burns or hair breakage after they acquired a relaxer or chemical treatment. However, I have been burned a few times on my ear and scalp by the notorious pressing comb. During those times, being natural provided me with a uniqueness that heightened my self-esteem. Possessing natural hair wasn't the norm and I liked being different. I take a holistic approach to my health and being natural is part of it. I love looking for healthier alternatives for my hair, skin and food intake. Products/ chemicals that we put on our hair and scalp, over time, in addition to the food we eat, can negatively/positively impact our overall health and appearance of our hair. Natural hair responds well to the organic oils in my kitchen and I love it! Being natural, though not always popular, has truly been a blessing and I am thankful for my mother passing the torch from her mother to be natural and stay natural. Nikki  We NOW have "Embrace Greatness" Lady Tees! Visit our online store to purchase.  Choosing to wear my hair in its natural state has allowed me to be able to embrace my hair has built my self confidence. It has also influenced my daughter's to love their natural hair too. My girls are my motivation and knowing that they embrace their hair at an age where appearance means so much is awesome to me. They are in the 7th and 9th grade. Tameka  We NOW have "Embrace Greatness" Lady Tees! Visit our online store to purchase.  When I first started the natural hair process, I chose to wear locs. As I continued to grow and learn as a person, I wanted my hair to grow with me. The process of achieving a goal in life to me was very similar to how my hair grew. The beginning process was hard; I had to stay focus and dedicated. As time went on, my hair continued to grow and learn it's pattern. It became something beautiful. Then I started a new cycle in my life and cut my locs. I continue to keep my hair in its natural state, because it was now a part of who I am. My hair has its own natural hair pattern and continues to transform as it grows, just as I do! Rotrina  We NOW have "Embrace Greatness" Lady Tees! Visit our online store to purchase.  |
Cierra CrossCierra has been a part of Accented Glory since its launch in June 2013. Outside of being an "Accessory Diva", she's a college graduate who desires to pursue a career in law. Archives
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