Today we’d like to introduce you to Bao Su.
Bao, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I am a single mother of two. I was the proud owner of a hair salon for a number of years. I worked as a licensed cosmetologist and also was a fashion and hair model. Finally, I was also a certified spin instructor. During those years, it was a struggle committing to both my work and kids. Today I can proudly exclaim that both of my kids are in college. I think the years of wearing many hats raising my kids and running my businesses have prepared me for my current endeavors. Currently, not only am I a full-time licensed registered dental assistant extended functions (RDAEF) and the manager in an established dental office. I am also the owner of a successful business that specializes in custom jewelry for fitness competitors and all occasions. There is a story behind the jewelry business, which I will get into later.
I love working out and have always gone to the gym and for several years contemplated getting a trainer to whip me into shape. Soon as I hit my early thirty’s I told myself no more procrastination. I found my trainer, Rae. Rae is an experienced, well-rounded trainer who has successfully refashioned the lives and bodies of models, actresses and professional athletes. With his track record, I bought into his training philosophy – commitment to proper diet, lots of rest and consistency. With his training and my determination, I experienced a quantum transformation not only in my body but, a winning mindset.
With this confidence, I was ready to put my heart and soul into the process of competing in bodybuilding. After all the sacrifices and hard work, it was clear that this was not only the best thing for myself and my business but most importantly my kids. I am clear-eyed with a strong sense of spiritual, psychological and physical self. On October 1, 2017, I decided to hire a fitness coach. By now, my desire to be on stage is burning. In no time, I soaked up all that my coach has taught me. It is now time to compete – the moment of truth. This is where I divulge you into the birth of my sports fitness jewelry business.
As a first-time figure competitor, I wanted to stand out from the rest in terms of the fashion I brought on stage. I have always been a lover of fashion, making sure I stayed on top of the latest trends. It has always been a challenge to find quality and the perfect accessories to compliment my figure suit. I have noticed that most of the competitors wore all clear jewelry. I wanted to be different. I wanted my outfit to be exceptional with colors popping on stage. Therefore, I searched all the known jewelry businesses that catered to fitness competitors to find that they all carried the same dull items. That is when I knew I found that void in the market. I knew then that I could offer a variety of fashionable competition bling. Immediately I consulted my mentor and best friend Libbe Siskind. Libbe has been in the retail business for years and without hesitation encouraged me to open an online shop. The prospect of operating my own business again was exhilarating. On January 1, 2018, my website, www.BodyBlingJewelry.net and Instagram were launched.
The next morning I got my first order. It was from Ellen at Crystallini Bikini. I am honored to say not only are we working together but we have become friends. I am currently styling Ellen’s clients with my jewelry for their shows. I am also collaborating with some suit companies to bring that “Body Bling” flair on stage. Whenever you are different and go against the status quo there is always push back. Some of the athletes question my brand that it was not in the rules to wear colored jewelry. Also, my endeavor to market on Instagram for a year and lure large companies were not yielding the results I anticipated. I can’t say I wasn’t disappointed but it’s not in my constitution to give up. So I called on the lessons learned from the strong relationship I’ve built with my kids. The strength of character, faith and courage gained from years of training and competitions. And really my willingness to grow not only as a single mother but as an independent woman.
Today Body Bling brand has grown significantly within the past two years. It has become a worldwide brand. I have loyal customers from Barbados, Japan, Belgium, Germany, Mexico, Italy, Australia and in the United States.
I knew it was no longer a dream when most of the female pro athletes were shining on stage with Body Bling Jewelry at the Arnold’s and the Olympia stage. The two most prestigious shows in the sport of bodybuilding. I now work closely with the majority of the high-end suit designers to collaborate and bring a different variety of jewelry fashion to the NPC and IFBB Pro stage.
Body Bling is a full-service one-stop-shop that offers a wide variety of the most unusual, “one of a kind”, unique, and affordable jewelry for all occasions. I am the leading company with the largest selection of competition jewelry that is committed to providing beautiful products and excellent customer service. I cater to fitness competitors, weddings, proms, evening wear, and pageants to find the perfect piece to complement their desired look. My collection can be found on www.bodybling.jewelry.net.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I don’t know any new business that hasn’t had some sort of setbacks. Just getting my brand recognized in the bodybuilding industry was challenging only because there have been my business competitors that were in business for so many years. I had to financially shell out expenses that I necessarily did not have in order to make Body Bling known by setting up booths at fitness expos and events which was a high price tag.
There has also been life trade off’s. Most of my “free” time is taken away from spending quality time with my kids. I cannot do the normal daily activities with them due to the fact that work was never ending. Thankfully my kids understood that my dedication in building my brand was for a better future and a better us.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Body Bling Jewelry – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of and what sets you apart from others.
Body Bling is a full service one stop shop that offers a wide variety of “one of a kind”, unique, and affordable jewelry for all occasions. I am the leading company with the largest selection of competition jewelry that is committed to providing beautiful products and excellent customer service. I cater to fitness competitors, weddings, proms, evening wear, and pageants to find the perfect piece to compliment their look.
I collaborate with majority of the high-end suit designers. I am especially known for styling the competitors suits with custom jewelry, adding just a pop of color to bring the extra flare on stage and set them apart from the rest of the athletes. Giving them the “wow” factor.
That is what sets me apart from the rest of the companies out there.
I am most proud of the fact that Body Bling has the most unusual and one of a kind pieces.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
I hope to eventually start making competition suits and designing them with swarovski stones. With my love for fashion and creative imagination, I think it would bring Body Bling to a whole other level.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.bodyblingjewelry.net
- Phone: 949-689-4462
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bodybling.jewelry/
Image Credit:
https://squareeyephoto.com/
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