Today we’d like to introduce you to Vickie Love.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I started off wanting to be a Registered Nurse, but the hours and schooling didn’t work out well with other things that I had going on in my life at the time. I had my daughter in 2012, got married in 2015, and then my husband joined the military in 2016, and we ended up moving. I became a medical assistant in 2015 and was working up until 2018, when I had my first son. I always knew that I wanted to be a business owner and build generational wealth for my family and me. I also wanted to make sure that me and my husband had more than enough to accomplish the goals that we had once he decided to retire from the military. Most people think that military families are well off and are well taken care of, but that is not always the case. And then we are always the ones who are spending thousands of dollars just to go back home and visit family. Once I had my son in 2018, I quit my job to become a stay-at-home mom and raise my kids.
A couple of months later, after having my first son, I found out that I was pregnant with my third child. I gave birth to my second son in March of 2020 during the pandemic. Two months later, in May, I started my business Lovely Protection, LLC, where I make self-defense keychains. I started Lovely Protection, LLC because I wanted something I could carry for protection other than my concealed weapon and I also wanted to bring an extra income into the house. My self-defense keychains come with pepper spray and a window breaker. They also come with non-self defense items like a puffball keychain, bottle opener, chapstick holder with wristlet, lipgloss, and an LED light. I would stay up until 3 am every night researching products, markets, laws, etc., before launching a business. I started off by selling to my friends and family, and within four months, I had made the most money in my life in such a short time being an entrepreneur than I ever did working for someone else. I love being an entrepreneur that I could not say no to when my very good friend Ketesche came to me with a business idea called Touch Thy Self, LLC, which we ended up launching this year. This business is geared towards self-reflection, self-healing, self-love, and more. Both of businesses have an Instagram and a Facebook page that everyone can follow for more information @Lovelyprotection and @Touch.ThySelf
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?
Running a business is never just a smooth road of highs. It is definitely a bumpy road with a lot of lows as well. I’ve struggled before and after I launched my business. There are days where I don’t get any sales at all. I just continue to remember my vision and where I want my business to be in five years. Being a military wife and a stay-at-home mom of three kids makes running my business difficult sometimes because some days, my kids are wanting all of my attention, and it makes it hard to work on content. I’m also a “one-man band” right now doing everything, but I do plan on hiring a team to help continue to make my business a success.
As you know, we’re big fans of Lovely Protection. For our readers who might not be as familiar, what can you tell them about the brand?
Lovely Protection, LLC is known for the hottest self-defense keychains around. I started this business when self-defense keychains were not as popular as they are now. I’ve had ads, tweets, and Facebook group posts go viral, which brought me a lot of customers. My self-defense keychains come in cute designs and colors like the black sunflower, which started off being our most popular keychain design. I had plenty of customers messaging me to pre-order because it used to always be sold out. What sets me apart from others who are selling what I am selling is that I have a plethora of designs that I make myself and I also offer customized keychain designs where customers can get their own pictures on the keychain or whatever print/design they would like, I also try and make each keychain special to the customer who is buying it. I also have excellent customer service, which keeps my customers coming back and purchasing with me.
Brand wise, I am most proud about reaching young girls, young women and getting messages from strangers thanking me for offering a product to help keep women and kids safe and giving me words of encouragement as well. That makes me feel great about what I do, and sometimes I get emotional just knowing the impact that Lovely Protection has made.
I want the readers to know that I do giveaways some months and also offer discounts sometimes as well. I have a website where they can view all of my products which is www.lovelyprotection.com. I also want the readers to know that I put in a lot of hardwork into my business and I will be expanding, launching new products, and offering wholesale soon to those who are looking to start their own self-defense keychain business.
Can you share something surprising about yourself?
One surprising thing that people don’t know is that I thought about giving up because there were people using my product pictures trying to start their own businesses without my consent and I was going through some major things in my life. But I told myself that quitting is not an option and that I can attract whatever it is that I want for my business and myself. I did start watermarking my pictures after that, though.
Pricing:
- My keychains range from $20-$60 depending on what the customer is purchasing.
Contact Info:
- Email: Lovelyprotectionllc@gmail.com
- Website: https://lovelyprotection.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lovelyprotection/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LovelyProtection/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCONQ1rrfwQep0l_clPKBvCw
