Today we’d like to introduce you to Arielle Ellis.
Arielle, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I have always had a passion for sunglasses. When I was a little kid, my mom bought me my first pair of sunglasses and I held onto them and would wear them until I grew out of them. I began working in sunglass retail about three years ago where my passion only escalated. To me, sunglasses are the item you can use to either tone up or down your outfit. You can change the vibe of a whole outfit depending on the shade you decided to pick for the day. When the pandemic hit and everything was shut down, I had a crazy idea of just beginning my own sunglass business. A small idea then turned into reality. The year of 2020 was a rollercoaster of a year for many if not all of us. I decided to use my business as an outlet, something to focus on. MI launched my business first launched the first month of my senior year in college. Everyone though it was bad timing but the spontaneous side of me was intrigued by the challenge. From the day I launched my business comparing to this current date, my FiftyShadesofKay has grown way farther than I imagined it being while also working more than one job and being a full-time student.
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?
I would say it has been a smooth road as I began my business in the outlook more so of a hobby due to being in school and working. If anything, I would say it was more of a tedious road as running a business takes a lot of time and patience. The challenges that I may have encountered were not major however, it taught me what to and not to do in business.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I run a small sunglass boutique stemming from my own personal passion for sunglasses. My sunglasses are all of the above; edgy, unique, and all in all stylish. I try to focus on selling sunglasses for different types of people. That person who loves a simple cute black shade with a dark tint, the person who uses the accessory to make their outfit POP, and the person like me who switches up their style day by day. From working in sunglass retail for 3+ years, I noticed that glasses really can boost one’s confidence but can be really expensive sometimes. From my boutique, you can find an array of styles at a fraction of the price. I believe accessories should be affordable due to how much you may want to switch up your style. I am most proud of the feedback I have gotten from my shaded babes. The sunglasses I showcase are of good quality, and you can both see and feel the quality in each pair. Other than other companies or businesses, I am selling for my customers and not the benefit of profit. I want those who are usually scared to go out of their comfort zone but may want to try something new. From personal experience, I have noticed it is easier to try something new when that new item/style is affordable. That is why FiftyShadesofKay is the best shop for sunglasses!
What does success mean to you?
I define success by reach. When I say this, I mean how many people know about you? How many people have tried your product? What was your personal goal, and did you reach it? In my opinion, success comes from self-validation. If you wait for others to validate your success, you will be waiting for a long time. It is important to set your own personal goal because only you know what you are capable of. Even if your goal is small, once you reach it you have now reached internal success, and your next goal can be set higher. The more you believe in yourself and prove to yourself that you are capable of success, the more you will become confident, and that confidence will shine through your product. When people ask me, “how is your business going?” I am going to always state it is doing good due to the fact I have reached my own personal goal, especially if I have styled a new client. New clientele means I have reached a new group of people simply because whenever someone asks that client where they got their glasses from, it will be my boutiques name that they will hear.
Pricing:
- $20
- $15
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: www.fiftyshadesofkay.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fifty.shadessofkay
- Other: Tiktok – https://www.tiktok.com/@fifty.shadessofkay
