Inspiring Conversations with Martika Grant of PRETTY PRISSY PIECES BOUTIQUE

Today we’d like to introduce you to Martika Grant.

Hi Martika, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I got started in the retail business because growing up in Philadelphia was a struggle. My family used to shop at Goodwill and go to flea markets to sell our things so we could have money for the essentials. Growing up, I always sought good-quality items with the intention of selling them if I needed extra money. My friends would often ask me to dress them up, do their hair, or do their makeup, and I really loved the feeling of helping them.

I spent some time modeling and working towards a rap career between Philly and Atlanta. Many people thought I had a stylist, but it was always me styling myself. I graduated from cosmetology school, but I realized I did not want to pursue hair or makeup as a career. I only wanted to learn the techniques I would need as a rap artist or model while trying to save money that I didn’t even have. I moved back to Georgia to stay permanently in 2017.

While bartending in strip clubs, I made a lot of money selling my like-new designer bags and shoes to the dancers and doing their hair and makeup before they went on the floor. Once I realized that rapping and modeling weren’t for me, I began selling all of my gently used clothes and designer bags, along with sourcing vintage items. In 2015, I started my first clothing business, which I called “The Thirftique,” a play on the word boutique. I would load clothes into my trunk, text my list of friends and previous customers to let them know I had some good stuff, and then meet them to sell what I could. After that, I would go to different flea markets to sell more items. I also posted old pictures of myself wearing the looks on social media and collected payments through Cash App, shipping the pieces through my local post office.

As a rapper, I had a hoodie that I designed to accompany my campaign for EPI, and I would sell out of them every time I made them. In 2017, I started “PRETTY PRISSY PIECES,” a retail business for new, unused women’s clothing and sunglasses. Before I had a website, I relied on social media and word of mouth to promote my business. I collected payments through Cash App and went to the post office to ship items, literally handwriting out the labels.

In 2018, I set up my Shopify store with a full catalog of fashion pieces on my website. I ship worldwide, and I also offer local delivery. This coming July, I will have been in business for 8 years.

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?
Yes, the road has been incredibly challenging. I’ve been learning and navigating everything on my own, with nowhere to turn except Google and YouTube. I’m the first in my family to even consider starting my own business, and I’m also proud to be the first to earn a high school diploma. The toughest part has been realizing that to succeed in business today, social media is essential. However, it feels like people want more than just a product; they want a lifestyle. Even though I have an energetic personality, turning on the camera often feels performative, which makes it difficult for me to be consistent.

I’ve also struggled to find support during pop-up shops and marketing events. Back in Philadelphia, I could easily promote my business by making flyers and sharing them with everyone I knew. In Georgia, though, the environment feels different, and I often find myself feeling alone. I’m having a hard time connecting with my target audience because I don’t share enough of my personal life. I grew up believing in keeping business and personal matters separate, which has made this aspect even more challenging.

I’ve learned that there are no set rules for being an entrepreneur, and I’ve discovered this the hard way, especially when trying to work with influencers and content creators. It’s disheartening to realize that not everyone is trustworthy in business; some are just there to entertain. I’ve unfortunately taken losses by sending PR packages to influencers with the hope of collaboration, only to find that most times, they don’t follow through, resulting in losses that come straight out of my pocket.

Financially, it’s been a struggle because income for small businesses isn’t consistent. I’m funding my venture solely with my personal money and haven’t had success in obtaining grants. I don’t have the funds needed for consistent Meta and Google ads, and I feel lost when it comes to understanding how to navigate that process or finding someone to help me. I’ve even been scammed while trying to find support, which has made this journey even more difficult.

We’ve been impressed with PRETTY PRISSY PIECES BOUTIQUE , but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Pretty Prissy Pieces is a clothing boutique for women who understand the importance of a timeless fashion piece—the individualistic women of the world. Pretty Prissy Pieces boutique is dedicated to providing confidence and superb customer service. I want people to know that they can trust my brand—trust that they’re going to receive the best customer service possible, trust that I am sourcing quality fashion pieces with all body types in mind, and trust that they will always get their orders on time or even early. It only takes one Pretty Prissy Piece to boost your confidence to the highest level.

One of the most special aspects of my boutique is that you won’t find the same pieces anywhere else. Once items are sold out, I do not restock them. I believe there’s clothing, and then there are pieces. Clothes are what you wear every day because, well, you have to, but a piece is what you choose when you want to feel something, honey! It’s that moment when you walk into a room and say everything without saying a word. That’s the difference between clothes and pieces. You can never have too many Pretty Prissy Pieces.

I just launched one of the biggest advertisements of my career. Right now, Pretty Prissy Pieces is being advertised on four different billboard locations in Atlanta, and in celebration of that, I am giving everyone 15% off their order with the discount code PRISSYPOST. Plus, enjoy free shipping on all orders over $100. Additionally, anyone who tags us on Instagram in a picture or video of the billboard will receive 50% off their order, and if they tag two billboards, they will also receive free shipping with their order. This promotion will run for the next four weeks.

We have also been acknowledged and featured on the platforms of Fashion Bomb Daily and Pretty Shades of Melanin. We sell sizes small to 3X, and I also have a small men’s collection for those women who want to buy their men a little gift.

I am most proud of having a customer base between the ages of 18 and 64, with customers from 29 states across America, the District of Columbia, and Australia. I am grateful that all of the customers I started with are still with me today, returning to my store for 8 years. I am so thankful to be chosen to help them look and feel their best for special occasions like birthdays, weddings, vacations, photoshoots, and even church.

We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
One of my favorite childhood memories is when I turned 16. My mom took me and one of my friends to New York City to visit the wax museum. We ate at TGI Fridays in Times Square, and she also got me a Tiffany’s jewelry set, which included a ring, a pair of earrings and necklace. I still have that ring today; I didn’t take it off until I was engaged to be married. I couldn’t fit it today if I tried! Lol. Also, the friend I went with is no longer alive, so rest in peace to Keya.

Pricing:

• $10
• $20
• $40
• $50
• $100

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.prettyprissypieces.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/prettyprissypieces