Today we’d like to introduce you to Kasheera Hickson.
Kasheera, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
My story as a creative starts about 11 years ago in 2009 while living in my hometown of Philadelphia, PA. I had just made the bold choice to cut off my chemically processed hair and to allow my natural curls to grow out. As time past, I learned to love and accept my hair in its natural state. As my hair grew more and more, its beauty blossomed up like a giant tree. It was big, wild, and beautiful! I felt inspired to start a YouTube channel under the name “Kasheera Latasha” and I began sharing hair care tips and styles to help other women on their natural hair journey. By 2013, my audience had grown to several thousand subscribers; It was during this journey that my love of colorful and vibrant accessories grew tremendously. I wanted my jewelry and accessories to compliment the liveliness of my hair.
One day as I looked through my jewelry box, I came across a pair of plain round wooden earrings, the idea to paint them suddenly popped into my mind! I grabbed some acrylic paint and allowed my creative juices to flow. The finished product was gorgeous! I started making more earrings to add to my personal collection and after receiving so many compliments from my subscribers on YouTube, I decided to launch my online shop “Bohemian Afro”. My signature pieces were always colorful, bold, and vibrant just like me! After many years I’ve moved from painting on wood to creating brilliant patterns and designs using polymer clay. The versatility of clay afforded me the ability to create in more intricate and interesting ways. I now live in Los Angeles and sell at many trade shows throughout the year. I am able to work from home doing what I love as an entrepreneur and have built up a loyal fanbase. It’s truly a dream come true!
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Before I became an entrepreneur, I had always fantasized about working for myself and being my own boss. When I actually started to live my dream, I realized I needed to be a lot more disciplined. I had to be on point, make schedules, prepare for shows, market on social media, plan video shoots, etc… It was really a lot to take on in the beginning, and I struggled with staying consistent. A great friend of mine offered me some tips on time management and I eventually found my groove and learned how to work more effectively. Another challenge presented itself after I became a mom in 2015. While it has been the greatest blessing of my life, I’ve had to figure out how to find a home/work balance that makes sense for my family. It’s been an ever-evolving journey and I must say that I am incredibly thankful to have such a wonderfully supportive other half who assists me in finding that balance everyday.
Please tell us about Bohemian Afro.
Bohemian Afro as a brand is all about eye-catching self-expression. I love making pieces that turn heads, pieces that are unique and make people ask “how did you create that using clay?”. My main inspiration can be found in nature, the way it moves, grows, changes, and thrives. Nature is so full of color and it makes me so happy to create pieces that are bursting with it! My customers make their selections based off the vibe they feel with each piece. I have pieces for every kind of mood and occasion. I’m also very proud of the fact that all of my pieces are handmade and truly one of a kind. I am also a huge lover of crystals and energy healing and so alongside my clay collections, I also sell loose crystals and wire-wrapped crystal jewelry.
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
I personally wouldn’t change a thing. Everything that I’ve experienced on my journey so far has molded me into the person I am today.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.bohemianafro.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bohemianafro/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bohemianafro/
Image Credit:
Mark A. Savage
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