.AC: Tell me about E’toshia, the woman.
EM: I’m originally from Newark NJ, where I attended a performing arts high school.  I came down here (to South Carolina) in 2003 when I graduated from high school. I attended Morris College for two semesters and then I transferred to USC after my mom suggested that I continue to pursue my dance career. I became a dance major.  I changed my major and decided to teach. That’s what I’m doing now. I’m a teaching assistant at a preschool. I wear many hats. I am a self-taugh make-up artist, blogger, and I host events through my business, Events by E’tosh.
 
AC: When did you decide that entrepreneurship was the move for you?
EM: It was about two years ago.  I decided that the same way that I’m putting so much time into someone else’s business by going to work every day, I could be using my own talents.
 
AC: As you said, you wear so many hats, building each of your businesses. What is your passion?
EM: They all tie in to each other. I like the production part of things because I’m able to execute my ideas and see them come to life. This is how Bow Ties & Heels came about. I wanted to create something unique for people to do, so in 2012 my boyfriend and I coordinated the first Bow Ties & Heels.  We’ve held the party annually since then.  I see it as a home brand that I’m trying to build.
​
AC: I’ve heard about your Musical Beauty Circuit class. Tell me more about it.   
EM: I’ve been doing makeup for a while (Faces by E’tosh). I love being a make-up artist because it allows me to creating eye-popping beauty looks for women. My Musical Beauty Circuit class is an extension of Faces by E’tosh.  I came up with this idea when I participated in a six-week business program for women entrepreneurs at Columbia College (Columbia, SC).  The idea of the Musical Beauty Circuit was influenced by my background in dance.  I wanted to make a production of it. The class is composed of three segments, like an exercise class, the warm-up, the routine, and the cool down.  The warm-up is  me discussing skincare. The routine is the part of class when I instruct about make-up, whether I focus on eyes or whatever the clients wants. During the cool-down we review what was taught. 

AC: How often are the classes held?
EM: The first one was held in January of this year. I decided that they will be held every other month, unless someone wants to host a class in their home. This allows me time to re-up on supplies and advertise. 

AC: Is there a certain business person who inspires you?
EM: That’s a hard question. I have loved ones who I can always go to for advice and encouragement-my sorority sisters, my mom, my boyfriend. They're always there for me.  They will also bring me back down to earth when needed.   

AC: What has been your most challenging obstacle as a business woman and how did you push through it?
EM: My biggest obstacles: keeping my confidence where it needs to be and being consistent. We all have our moments when we doubt ourselves. I’ll find myself thinking about how my business is not growing as expected.  Sometimes we compare ourselves to others and that causes doubt.  The way that I deal with those moments is by going back and reflecting on all that I have done and not measuring myself by what someone else may be doing. That’s a mistake a lot of us make…comparing ourselves to others. You have to stay in your own lane…celebrate your own accomplishments.

AC: What advice would you give to other women who are considering entrepreneurship?
EM: The advice I would give to a female entrepreneur comes from two quotes. The first quote is from Pinterest and reads "she turned her can'ts into cans and her dreams into plans." The second comes from a recent read, "Girl, Just Quit!," where the author refers to a quote by Grant Cordone. It reads "as long as you are alive, you will either live to accomplish your own goals and dreams or be used as a resource to accomplish someone else's." With these two quotes I would encourage future female entrepreneurs to go for whatever dreams they may have.

AC: What has been your proudest moment in business, so far?
EM: I’m proud of the collaborations with others and relationships that have been built through those collaborations. I love that there is an awareness of my businesses. It makes me feel good when I’m out and about and someone may say “I’m looking forward to the next Bow Ties & Heels, when is it?”

AC: What’s up next for you?
EM: The next Bow Ties & Heels will take place on April 23rd in Columbia.  I also co-authored an e-book. The title is “After Why Comes How”.  It can be found on Amazon and www.divaswithapurpose.com.   

Thanks to E’toshia for this great interview.  I definitely wish her continued success in all of her endeavors.  Follow E’toshia across social media!

Blog: EtoshXperience.com
Faces By Etosh: Facesbyetosh.com
Events By Etosh:https://www.facebook.com/EventsbyETOSH-264527200290334/
After Why Comes How: http://bit.ly/23mxiKi

Until next time...let's continue to claim our charmed lives!

​-Antoinette 

Truly Charmed is all about celebrating the accomplishments of women who are determined to make their dreams reality. Have you met Kierra Jones, owner of The K.Jones Collection?  Read her story HERE.

Interested in being featured? Email [email protected]

AC: What inspired you to start your business?
K Jones: I have always loved fashion jewelry. Growing up, I was overweight and really insecure.  I used oversized clothing to "hide" my body. When I got in high school, I wanted to put more effort into my look. As I began to learn what styles worked for my body, it was accessories that made the styling process fun for me. I found how much you could really use accessories to transform your look. Fast forward to now as an adult, I really wanted to pursue my dreams of being my own girl boss. I decided to put more effort into creating something that was my own, something that embodied me, and allowed me to share my passions. So, a lifelong passion for accessories along with my desire to be my own girl boss finally moved me to start The K. Jones Collection.

AC: What is your advice to young ladies who may be in the same position as you once were, dealing with self-esteem and body image issues?
K.Jones: Before I answer that, here’s advice that I would give to others. When we see a young girl, we’ll quickly say “oh, she’s so cute..she’s so pretty”.  It’s nice to give those compliments, but it would be great if we could compliment girls on their personality, on how smart they are. As for the young ladies dealing with self-esteem and body image issues, it’s important that girls look in the mirror and own their confidence.  When I was in high school, I really don’t know what made me do it, but I would look in the mirror and repeat “you’re a gift to yourself”.   We should believe that more and more as women and girls.
 
AC: Tell us about The K. Jones Collection 
K.Jones: We're an online accessory boutique specializing in fashion jewelry and accessories. Each piece is handpicked for the modern woman who is chic, confident, and has a sophisticated style. She creates her own happiness, and she carries herself with class. 

AC: What business woman or women do you admire, famous or not?
K.Jones: I have three that come to mind.  I would definitely say Oprah.  Beyonce. This has nothing to do with her music…put the music aside.  What I like about her is that she is an example of investing in your craft, and learning all sides of it.  She’s doing a lot of behind the scenes stuff: such as executive producing and writing.  A business is so much more than the glitz and glamour.  Beyoncé invested the time to become great at what she’s doing. I also admire Tyra Banks, and it’s for similar reasons. In addition to her business accomplishments, Tyra gives back so much. She has a camp where she works with girls, focusing on their self-esteem.  That’s a huge portion of success.  Are you looking back and helping others to advance toward their own level of success?

AC: What sets The K. Jones Collection apart from others in your industry?
K.Jones: Other boutiques offer beautiful pieces, as I do. However, it’s about so much more than the product.  My story is that I became comfortable in my skin when I started putting effort into how I looked. Accessories made that fun for me and so that was the start of it. I’m trying to provide more than jewelry. I’m offering an experience. I want women to celebrate the gift of who they are. I love the fact that it’s me by myself working. It makes me feel accomplished. I love being able to connect with my customers one on one and have them know that Kierra hand-picked all of these pieces. These aren’t things that I just picked from a catalog. I chose these pieces because they fit my clients’ styles and they fit my style. I just want them to feel a special experience.  My clients are beautiful, they’re fabulous, and they just need to accessorize a little bit.

AC: What is your vision for the future of your business?
K.Jones: My vision is to be a regionally known lifestyle and accessory brand. I love my jewelry, so I will never give up my jewelry. I do want to expand when it comes to accessories. I believe every part of life can be accessorized…your home, your office, events, everything. I want to experiment with more life and style products. Expanding as a life and style brand, and becoming regionally known is my vision for The K. Jones Collection

In the words of K.Jones: “Celebrate the gift of you. Share your shine.”

Very wise words from a lady boss who is, no doubt, destined for greatness.  
Follow @theKJonesCollection across social media! 
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Learn about other women-owned businesses HERE.  Until next time, let's continue to claim our charmed lives!

​-Antoinette