We were lucky to catch up with Brittany Lewis recently and have shared our conversation below.
Brittany, appreciate you joining us today. How did you come up with the idea for your business?
A Hundred XOXO was created out of my love of all things self care. I have 3 children and was recently divorced , and really in a space of rediscovery. I found that taking time for self care and creating self care routines really helped me cope and learn things about myself, I made it my mission to share that with other and A Hundred XOXO was born.
I started off by designing a collection of journals with affirmations and beautiful pictures of black women. I received so much love and support for my journals I was asked by my sister and friend to create gift sets with the journals for their coworkers. The feedback from the gift sets was great and that gave me the idea to start a subscription box service so women all over and enjoy the gift of self care on a regular basis. I curate boxes for anyone looking to show someone or themselves a little bit of self care. We source quality products that our customers can actually get excited to use! We also still have out beloved journals, planners and other self care essentials to help foster healthy self care routines. We are also excited to offer corporate gifting for anyone looking to provide gifts for a group or employees. We know that taking time for yourself can be hard and we love being apart of making it just a little bit easier.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
My name is Brittany Lewis and I’m based in Dallas, Texas and am the proud mother of 3 beautiful children. A few years ago I found myself juggling the responsibilities of motherhood and the desire to secure a better future for my kids. I recognized the importance of self-care in maintaining my well-being and being the best parent I could be. However, I was also hit with the challenges of finding the time and resources to prioritize self-care.
Driven by my entrepreneurial spirit, I decided to create a solution that not only addressed my own needs but also catered to other single mothers and busy individuals who faced similar struggles. I saw an opportunity to not only build a business but also make a positive impact on the lives of those who needed it.
After conducting extensive research and drawing on my own experiences, I carefully curated a selection of self-care products that encompassed everything from soothing bath essentials and mindfulness tools to inspiring books and motivational resources. Each item was chosen with the utmost care to provide a holistic self-care experience.
I launched my self-care box business with a mission to empower individuals to prioritize self-care and invest in their well-being, all while creating a legacy of resilience and determination for my children.
Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?
A huge lesson I had to learn and at times have to remind myself of is SOCIAL MEDIA IS NOT A REAL PLACE. I love social media as much as anyone and I definitely think it’s a great tool to reach and connect with your audience, but on the other side of the coin I think it’s easy to get caught up comparing oneself to others to others.
I love getting online and seeing other businesses thriving with tons of followers, posting great content and making sales, however I had to unlearn the idea of holding myself to the same metric. Yet, I’ve come to understand that each business is on its own distinctive path, and success is a subjective concept that cannot be measured solely by amount of followers.
Social media, despite its allure and undeniable benefits, can inadvertently foster a sense of inadequacy if approached with a mindset rooted in comparison rather than genuine connection. Therefore, part of my ongoing growth process involves appreciating the accomplishments of fellow entrepreneurs without letting it overshadow the value of my own progress. By recognizing that social media is a curated space, where highlights often overshadow the less glamorous aspects of entrepreneurship, I am empowered to navigate this virtual landscape with a healthier perspective.
In essence, I’ve learned to view social media not as a yardstick for success but as a platform for authentic engagement, learning, and sharing. It’s a space where the uniqueness of each business can shine through. This shift in mindset has allowed me to harness the positive aspects of social media while maintaining a grounded and authentic approach to the growth of my own business.
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
In the early stages of launching my self-care box business, I encountered a significant challenge that put my resilience to the test. I had meticulously planned the launch, anticipating a solid start with 50 subscribers eagerly signing up for our self-care boxes. However, reality struck hard when the launch day arrived, and only 7 subscribers had joined.
Initially, the disappointment was overwhelming, and doubts crept in about the viability of my business. Instead of letting those feelings allow me to give up, I chose to view it as an opportunity to learn and adapt. I immediately sought feedback from the initial subscribers to understand their expectations better.
Armed with valuable insights, I revamped my marketing strategy, emphasizing the unique value propositions of my self-care boxes. I also implemented a more targeted approach to reach my ideal audience. Through persistent outreach and strategic partnerships, I gradually started to see an uptick in interest.
It isn’t an easy journey, and there were moments when I questioned whether I could turn things around. However, I remained commitment to providing quality self-care experiences. Slowly but surely, the subscriber base began to grow. Each new sign-up became a testament to my resilience and adaptability in the face of adversity.
Ultimately, what started as a setback became a crucial turning point for my business. The experience taught me the importance of flexibility, listening to my customers, and the value of perseverance in the unpredictable world of entrepreneurship. Today, as I look back, I see that challenging moment not as a failure, but as a pivotal chapter that shaped the resilience and success of my self-care box business.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.ahundredxoxo.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/ahundredxoxo
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ahundredxoxo/
Image Credits
Sophie K Hunter, Angela Webb