Today we’d like to introduce you to Kristyne Purnell.
Hi Kristyne, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
My passions have always surrounded me but in the society, I grew up in it was very clear what was expected of you and my passions never really fit into that agenda. When I graduated high school I tried to find myself and how I fit into society. Nothing felt right, I was good at mediocre jobs, but hated my everyday life. They tell you well jobs aren’t meant to be fun, you’re meant to work.
And one day I was tired of trying to “find” these passions in the categories society decided for me and I took a leap into things that made my heart happy and that made me feel authentic to me. I dropped everything to start my career in esthetics, and it was a very challenging time. In the beginning, I was bringing home $800 a month, half of that went to my car payment the other half went to pay for the smallest one bedroom I was renting. That left literally 0 money for food for me and my pets, gas, and I can’t even think of anything else because that what I was limited to. I didn’t even worry about new clothes or trips or fun. Things got worse before they got better and that’s when I started my small business, Cabana Boutique. This business started off as a dream and because I took action on my passions and what I believe in it’s now a reality and I get to do what I love every day.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Nothing worth having comes easy in life, it’s hard to start a business, well it’s hard to work in a place that makes you miserable. It’s hard to study, to research, to learn, well it’s hard to sit back and let your potential wither away. I’ve experienced a lot of bumps in the road, sometimes they got to me, but I never gave up. I’ve slowed down at times, but I’ve always continued. When you believe in yourself and what you’ve created so much, you’ll know it won’t always be smooth sailing but it will with no doubt be an adventure of a lifetime.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
In both of my businesses, I encourage more life, more adventures, more confidence, and more love. Cabana boutique is a place to find all types of treasures to add to your home, to your lifestyle, and to your suitcase. I’ve traveled my whole life and the reason that I do is because distance and difference are the secrets to creativity and inspiration. When we get home, it’s still the same, but something inside our minds have changed, and that’s what changes everything. Bring traditions, experiences, and adventures home makes the house come alive. It turns into a reflection of you, a place where you should feel the most comfortable to be in and the most inspired to leave. The design aspect is what really separates us from other boutiques, it’s multicultural, we see the beauty in not how much it was but its story, where it’s from, what feelings it gives you. A lot of our products are handmade by me and my family. We’ve been doing crafts since I was a little girl, I don’t think any of them thought I’d turn it into a business but look where we are and there’s no one else I’d rather have in my corner.
How do you define success?
Success to me is a feeling, I feel successful today because I have a roof over my head, my bills paid with a savings account, a great support system, great clients, good in my fridge, and get to work on what I love every day and I still have more in Me to grow and reach my potential. Success should be felt often and not just only giving yourself the credit when you feel like you are worthy, every big step every baby step is worth acknowledging.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://cabanaboutique.bigcartel.com/
- Instagram: @kristynealexandria_ @cabanaboutique_
Image Credits:
Kristyne Purnell
