​It’s an exciting time for budding entrepreneurs! A great number of business owners are wearing multiple hats as they juggle the responsibilities of working full-time and running a business. Now, more than ever, women are taking major steps toward becoming their own bosses. For many, full-time entrepreneurship is the ultimate goal. Penelope Simon, owner of Penelope’s Kids Stop, was able to say goodbye to the 9 to 5 grind in January 2019 when she retired from her job at Blue Cross Blue Shield and became the full-time proprietor of her mobile children’s apparel boutique, Penelope’s Kids Stop. Read on to learn more about this inspiring business owner and the evolution of Penelope’s Kids Stop. 

TC: Tell us a little about yourself.
PS: I am Penelope Simon, the mother of 3 grown daughters. I have been married for 29 years.  I reside in Lamar, SC.  In January of this year, I retired from my job at BCBS (Blue Cross Blue Shield) to operate my business full time.

TC: How did you decide on starting a business in the fashion apparel industry?
PS: I initially started selling hair bundles after hearing the opportunity advertised on the radio. My hair business did okay, but I felt that I needed to add something else. I added hair bows and then children’s clothing. I opened my mobile children’s boutique about 4 years ago. I am the sole owner of my business, but my husband and youngest daughter make a great support team. 
​
TC: What is the shopping experience like at Penelope’s Kids Stop?
PS: I sell clothing and accessories for boys and girls sizes 0-20. I offer a variety of items in addition to clothing, including hair bows, book bags, hats, gloves, and jewelry. I am always adding new inventory for customers to choose from. Customers can order from my website at penelopeskidsstopllc.com or by calling (843)687-5241 to shop in person. You can also find me vending at community events, so stay tuned to my social media pages for these announcements. 

TC: What has been your greatest accomplishment so far?
PS: My greatest accomplishment has been retiring from my full-time job and gaining the opportunity to operate my business full-time. Being a mobile store did take away the fear of sitting in a store, waiting for customers to come in, but it still takes money to reach customers who are interested in buying from you.
​
TC: What is your advice to someone who is genuinely interested in starting a business similar to yours?
PS: I would tell them to prepare my making a list of items that they want to sell, get quotes on everything, and prepare a budget. Do not expect everything to happen overnight. 

​It’s always exciting to share stories of women who are making power moves, whether it be in their corporate careers or as business owners. During a time in which there are many boutique options for adults, Penelope has carved her own lane as a mobile boutique catering to the fashion needs of our little ones. Congratulations to Penelope for taking the steps toward becoming her own boss! Friends, be sure to check out the boutique online or contact Penelope’s Kids Stop to schedule a visit with the mobile boutique. 
Share this Charmed Life Lifestyle Feature among your network, but before your leave, drop a comment to share your thoughts!   

Visit Penelope's Kids Stop online at PenelopesKidsStopLLC.com 
​Follow Penelope's Kids Stop on Facebook

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​Is there anything more empowering than a queen rocking her crown with pride and confidence? Is there a hairstyle that signifies Queendom more clearly than gloriously coiffed locs? Whether short or long, Sisterlocks or free form, there’s no denying that loc’d styles are versatile and, more importantly, these styles carry cultural significance.  In this second part of the HairStory series, we introduce you to seven loc’d and fierce beauties.  Read on!  

Meet Jessica!
​I am really a quiet-natured person who loves helping and caring for other people. I try to spend as much quality time with my family as possible. Though I have been on my regular 9 to 5 for many years, I still try to make sure my small jewelry business gets attention.

Her HairStory! 
My loc journey began in 2014. I dreaded going to the salon. I had to decide on a natural style that suited me best. Almost 5 years later, I'm still loving my locs.

Nurturing the Look 
From day to day I let my locs grow and fall as they please. I soak them in apple cider vinegar, baking soda, and water at least every two months. For my normal wash I use anything that smells good. I twist with beeswax or Jam and finish it up by spraying my scalp with pepper mint oil. My favorite products are good ole water and hair grease. I maintain my locs on my own. I've never been to a professional for a retwist or style.   

Meet Jessica! 
Hi! I am 40 years old, married, and the mother of three young men. I am also an aspiring makeup artist.  

Her HairStory!
​My loc journey started in 2012. I made the decision to get locs because I was on a self journey. At 33 years old I had yet to learn to love myself inside and out. I was tired of conforming to what society thought I should look like. Starting locs was more of a spiritual journey for me. 

Nurturing the Look
I maintain my locs by using Suave Daily Clarifying Shampoo. I then deep condition my hair with cholesterol by Queen Helene. I moisturize by using a  coconut oil or olive oil. 

Shout Out to My Loctician! 
​Sonya Gray
Hairnette's Beauty Salon
Anderson, South Carolina

Meet Keshia!
​My name is Keshia Jenkins and I'm 41 years old. I'm happily married to my husband Jerode of four years and we have 5 children. 

Her HairStory
I was a loose natural, but it required so much time and attention.  My husband and I decided to start our loc journeys together in 2014. I am loving every minute of it. This, by far, has been my best hair decision ever. 

Nurturing the Look 
​My locs are maintained by my loctician, and my all time favorite product is Mane and Tale moisturizer. 

Shout Out to My Loctician! 
​Donna Jenkins (Facebook)

Meet Kim! 
I am a mother, wife, career woman and all out FABULOUS person!

Her HairStory!
My loc journey began February 2018. I was natural for a while but was tired of the weekly rituals that come along with maintaining natural hair. I knew I wanted Locs but not the traditional ones. Someone recommended Sisterlocks and that was it for me.

Nurturing the Look
With Sisterlocks, you get your hair retightened every 6-8 weeks. For daily maintenance, I use water-that's it. If my scalp is itchy, I use a mixture of almond oil, castor oil and tea tree oil.

Shout Out to My Loctician! 
LocsByLainey!!! Follow her on Facebook. She's located in Temple Hills, MD. Follow her on IG @me_myself37_i

Meet Shante'
I am a 45 year old mother of two young men, ages 22 and 16. I am a paramedic who includes plus-size modeling among my self-love activities. I am full of energy and I love to make others smile. 

Her HairStory
I started my current set of locs in Oct of 2013 as this is my second loc journey. I had my 1st set of locs for 7yrs from 2002 - 2009. During those seven years, I went through so many life challenges. So when I graduated paramedic school in 2008, I took them out with the thought process of letting go of all of the negativity and not so happy times that I experienced. Big mistake! As time went on I missed my locs so much. I missed my connection to me, my freedom of expression, my natural imperfect feeling of being beautiful, so I restarted my locs and here I am today.

Nurturing the Look 
I maintain my locs by not overly retwisting them (wash, deep condition and retwist monthly) unless I have a modeling function. For my modeling events, I retouch the edges as needed. My favorite products to use are daily morning and night spray with rose water, nightly alternating applications of Jamaican black castor oil & Wild Growth. I sleep with my locs in a bonnet. I have my low side trimmed biweekly. I am my own loctician. I started both sets of my locs with two strand twists and I retwist them with the palm roll method.

Meet Shariyka!
Shariyka Romero is an influencer who partners with businesses and digital agencies to give their brands a boost and exposure. She has spent nearly a decade as an art consultant working with avant-garde artist Romero. In addition to her extensive social media experience, she holds a BA in Business Administration, Entrepreneurship & Small Business Management from East Carolina University.

Her HairStory!
I've had an on and off journey. My father ,avant-garde artist Romero, introduced locs to me in 2001. In 2005, I cut my locs and grew them back in 2008. Locs appealed to me because of the natural look, the beauty, and uniqueness of the style. I can rock my natural hair with confidence while being chemical-free.

Nurturing the Look
​I shampoo and moisturize my locs. Sometimes, I do an ACV (Apple Cider Vinegar) rinse to keep my locs and scalp healthy. My favorite products to use on my locs are Africa's Best Ultimate Herbal Oil, Tropical Roots Growth Spray, Castor Oil, Coconut Oil, and Jamaican Mango and Lime Loc Gel.

Meet TishaRaye!
TishaRaye is known for being LOUD and PROUD with her BOOMs on the side every weekend at 102JAMZ in Greensboro, NC. Tisha is a mad cool individual who loves family, loves to laugh and loves LIFE. TishaRaye believes in SUPPORTING whoever needs the support, especially if you are out here in these streets working like crazyyyyy to get what is for YOU! One of Tisha's mottos is...do what you want cause it's your life BUT do it in a positive way and make it worth IT...oh and BOOM!

Her HairStory!
​My loc journey began when I was carrying my only son and when I decided to LIVE my LIFE for me. That was 17yrs ago. I was inspired to be a loc goddess/queen when I was younger and I saw how naturally beautiful other queens and kings were wearing their locs. I admired how they were living freely in an amazing calm, cool way. Also, I have always enjoyed natural, go-with-the-flow hairstyles. The overhead hairdryer is partly to blame lol.  

Nurturing the Look
​I maintain my locs by always wearing my silk scarf or bonnet at night.  I shampoo my hair once or twice a month. I make sure that I keep my oil around. I do not retwist every time I shampoo my locs because I love to massage my scalp and help it breathe. My favorite shampoo to use is OGX , and I only use the shampoo no conditioner. My favorite oil to use is Jamaican Mango & Lime Island Oil.

Aren't they beautifully loc'd + fierce? Thanks to each of the ladies featured in this HairStory segment! ​Are you a loc’d + fierce beauty? Take a moment-tell us a little about your HairStory in comments. Be sure to let our Loc’d+Fierce beauties know if you connected with their hair stories in any way.  

​Did you miss our first HairStory, Cropped + Fierce?  Read it now!   

​An artist’s talent and vivid imagination makes her capable of anything, including the ability to create great works of art beyond the typical canvas. I have great admiration for artists who express their gifts in unique ways. Body painting is a means of creative expression that requires lots of patience, attention to detail and, of course, skill. Chasia Taylor, professionally known as Chasia Da Body Painter, is a force when it comes to body painting.  I always look forward to seeing what she will release next. Her work ranges from fun face-painting gigs at family-oriented events to cutting-edge body art for editorial photoshoots. Chasia’s special effects work is amazing! Read on to get the deets on Chasia Da Body Painter.   

​About Chasia
I am Chasia Da Body painter, a body artist from Gresham, SC. My motto is “Your body is my canvas. Let me create.” My work is focused on art meeting the body. One of the things that I want to accomplish with my art is bringing confidence-encouraging people to live freely and without a care. Your body is a work of art.

How She Found Her Passion
I have always loved painting on canvas, and that branched out into me painting faces for kids’ birthday parties. In November 2017, I started body painting and I haven’t stopped since. I love what I do! My services include face painting for children and
adults at all types of events (birthday parties, festivals, school events, etc.). I provide body painting for photo shoots, modeling portfolios, fashion events, and more. 

Chasia the Brand
What makes my brand unique is that I believe that I can turn anything into art. I’m not just a painter. My vision is different and I try to be unique with the materials that I use in body painting.
My greatest accomplishment, so far, has been witnessing the confidence bounce back in women who I have worked with. You can’t worry about what others think. You have to focus on how you feel about yourself.

What’s Next for Chasia Da Body Painter?
Bigger events! Fashion shows! I look forward to branching out and providing my services in different states. It’s time to travel and let the world know that I am here! Contact me at chasiataylor1234@gmail.com or via my social media pages for pricing and booking details. 

Have you ever experience a body painting session? Tell us about your experience in comments.  

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