Today we’d like to introduce you to Keisha Mar.
Keisha, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I actually started my business by accident. In my previous marriage, I was a stay at home mom who loved to shop. I believe my shopping addiction became too much for my ex-husband, so he suggested I do something to make extra spending money. As I pondered, I remembered as a young girl I did not spend my money on candy & chips, I spent it at the local hobby shop on jewelry findings, and I ravaged through my granny’s old vintage jewelry.
So to make my own spending cash, and to have a hobby away from home I made jewelry, taught jewelry making classes to kids, and sold accessories out of my mothers basement on Saturdays where I hosted my “jewelry purse parties,” and sold to my mothers colleagues while their children made jewelry during the party. I continued on selling going to my hometown of St. Louis, MO local flea-markets and pop-up shops, to sell my unique artisans designs.
Two years after divorcing, Christmas day 2016 I stepped out on faith, leaving my home-town and relocating my children and I to Georgia, where I opened my first brick an mortar Store “Dulce Culture.” Dulce Culture. Just three months after opening I was home teaching my daughter who is now seven, how to polish her nails as she sat at her makeup vanity. That very same night I developed another business plan and added an addition to the Dulce Culture Brand.
“Lil Dulce Diva’s: A kid Nail Spa Boutique” was inspired by my daughter. Lil’ Dulce Diva’s Is conveniently located inside Dulce Culture.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
No, it hasn’t always been a smooth road. I have fallen in my business so very often, that the very challenges that make me want to throw in the towel, or the very things that build up my strength and I learn tremendously from each and every challenge. Losses turn into lessons, gains teach me how blessed and grateful I am. My two growing companies are a demonstration of my growth as a person, and as a business owner.
My biggest struggle was after divorce, I was a 30-year-old woman who struggled to get a corporate America job because I had no work experience as an adult. Getting Married at 24, and respecting my ex-husbands wishes to stay at home to raise the children, I had no idea how damaging it would be to me at age 30 when it came to looking for employment after divorce.
Of course, divorce isn’t in the thought of two people who shared love and children, but it happened to me, and I wasn’t prepared. I had no other choice but to really invest in my jewelry and handbags, to make a living for my children and I as a new single mom. I never knew that my shopping addiction in marriage, my love for children, and childhood jewelry making hobby will turn into business.
I continued to grow, but I had no idea how to properly run a business, the only thing I knew was quitting wasn’t an option. And failure isn’t the opposite of success, It’s part of success. I took what I didn’t know and begin to self teach myself how to excel in my business.
Starting Lil’ Dulce Diva’s brought out a greater gift in me, I realized that so many young children and teenagers have a light that shines so bright in them, and they are inspired when they see good deeds, and positive leadership. As I learn through my challenges, I uplift, inspire, and teach young girls how to pursue and move towards their goals and dreams.
What I give to young women, is the same thing I search for even in my adult life, I always was reaching forward with the hopes that someone will hold my hand and guide me through challenges in life. I learned that I needed myself and I needed to be the hand for someone else that I always wanted.
Dulce Culture & Lil’ Dulce Diva’s: A Kids Nail Spa Boutique – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Dulce Culture is a fashion brand the exemplifies bold, progressive Afrocentric and seductive ideas with an American appeal. We personify authenticity and embrace all cultures. We seek to enthuse and inspire our customers to have that unique experience of wearing unique, striking designs. Not only do we focus on fashions, Dulce Culture “The Fashion House Of Beauty,” inside our customer can shop the entire store to complete their look. These items include jewelry, handbags, accessories, health & beauty, and home essentials.
Inside “Dulce Culture” Is Lil’ Dulce Diva’s: A Kids Nail Spa Boutique:
Lil’ Dulce Diva’s is a luxury full-service nail salon and party planning venue for girls ages 3-13 were I teach etiquette and self-confident. My Diva Glam squad and I are experts at making your Lil’ Diva Princess & her diva girlfriends feel confident and beautiful. Inside the kid’s nail salon parents can shop the latest kids clothing & fashion.
What I am proud of is having the ability to connect with the entire family in such a unique way in one spot. Mothers and fathers can shop the showroom while they wait on their daughters nail appointment or birthday party to finish. I am most proud of running two separate businesses in one place and see the community respond in such a positive way.
What sets us apart from others:
We are an all-in-one, one-stop-shop, Fashion boutique with a full-service nail salon for children.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
The proudest moment of my career is my giving back through service and mentorship to high school girls in my community. I recently contributed to sponsoring the neighborhood high schools international night, by donating clothes for the fashions show and giving the models make-overs to model their looks with confidence.
Prom season I partner with the beautician next door to my business, and we provided a few high school girls with hair, make-up, clothing, and accessories for prom. Last school year and we will continue this year, the local businesses partnered up with me to host a back-to-school book bag give away. Giving back to the youth who look up to me make me proud.
Contact Info:
- Address: 3400 Centerville Hwy Ste B Snellville, GA 30039
- Website: www.dulceculture.com
- Phone: 404-809-6246
- Email: dulceculture84@gmail.com
- Instagram: lildulcedivas and dulcecultureatl
- Facebook: dulce culture lil’ dulce divas: a spa boutique
Image Credit:
Vernedra Eastern or Vee East
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