Today we’d like to introduce you to KeyAndra Hodge.
Hi KeyAndra, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Bratty and Bossy was started in March 2019 while pursuing my Master of Science Degree in Mental Health Counseling. I started with $500 from my savings and a vision to provide women quality items to build a timeless wardrobe. While styling is an area I’m naturally talented in, I had no idea how to run or sustain a business. At first, it was quite overwhelming finding vendors of quality within my budget and locating pop-up shops to sell inventory and increase brand awareness. Vending events were tough as a new entrepreneur. There is a possibility the sales will not equate to the vendor fee. You have to plant the seed anyway. Eventually, I found my groove and started to obtain loyal clients who were willing to support me on this journey of building Bratty and Bossy.
At the start of the pandemic, I was anxious about potentially having to close my business. Surprisingly, Bratty and Bossy grew 533% from 2019 to 2020. And we’ve continued to thrive thanks to our loyal clients shopping with and supporting us. We were fortunate to take a leap and open a storefront July 2021 in Columbus, GA. We are pleased to report we ended 2021 with a 47% increase in sales.
To the person reading my journey, the moment of being “ready” will never come. The time is now. The world is waiting on you. There is no such thing as an “oversaturated” market. Have you seen the countless options on the bread isle at the grocery store? Acknowledge the emotions and take the leap.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Running a business is not for the faint at heart. In the early years, your business will be fighting to break even. Our society pushes entrepreneurship with a false narrative. The truth is if you cannot thrive working for someone else, entrepreneurship will be a challenge. Discipline is key. There is no one to write you up for being late or not making sales. You have to push you. Early on, I had to be the CEO, receptionist, model, photographer, social media manager, Order Fulfillment, Account/Bookkeeper and Sales Associate then some. In addition to working full-time as a mental health therapist. It’s like being on a roller-coaster that you cannot get off of. Some days the sales will be through the roof. Then the next few days, I may have a return and be in the negative. Some months the sales did not even cover the store rent or new inventory.
As cliché as it sounds, you do have to choose things that you are passionate about. It’s my discipline and passion that fuels me daily.
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?
Full-Time I am a Mental Health Therapist at an Inpatient Facility predominantly working the child and adolescent population.
What makes you happy?
Giving back by empowering others to live fearlessly and to define what fearlessness looks like for them. I feel we all have something major to contribute to society. It just may not always look the same. That doesn’t change the value of the contribution. I work both in retail and mental health daily. Yet, I am still able to empower others. I love witnessing someone stepping more into who they truly are.
Contact Info:
- Email: keyandra@brattyandbossy.com
- Website: www.brattyandbossy.com
- Instagram: @shopbrattyandbossy
- Facebook: @shopbrattyandbossy
Image Credits:
Photographer: Deandre Jones (The Pentaxx Guy) Website: www.thepentaxxguy.com
