We were lucky to catch up with Fantasia Tellis recently and have shared our conversation below.
Fantasia, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?
When I was about 8 years old my mama was selling Avon, pictures and more. Anything she did I was right beside her. When she did Avon full time I would help her pack orders and help her deliver it. That’s when I fell in love with the idea of having a business. She’s the main reason I want one and have such love for it.
Before I started Fancy’s Exhibit, which was called the, “HotGirl Palace”, in 2019 I was selling 3rd party items. Like weight loss items, insurance and etc. Those items never fit me. I always wanted to sell things like my mama but didn’t know the route or website to take. So in late 2018 my best friend found a wholesale website and told me. It’s been up every since :).
The next year I finally made the decision to try it out. It’s always something that I’ve been wanting to do and was nervous. It’s so crazy how you can be so scared to make a jump on something that you truly want to do. I bought a few items to see how it’ll do and to get my feet wet. The items were waterproof speakers, silk robes and fur slippers. The next item that I decided to sell is what everyone knows me for: Hair Bonnets :). I do sell jewelry, sunglasses and other items but hair bonnets is what sells the most. The reason I wanted to sell bonnets is because I never could keep a good solid bonnet. Every other month I would be buying a bonnet because the elasticity would wear out and the bonnet wouldn’t stay on my head. So I found a vendor and I immediately sold out on the first sale of them :). I have customers that bought from me in 2019 that tells me they still wear their bonnet and it stills works well.
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 Fantasia. I’ve been selling on the side since I’ve been 19 and made my own business when I was 23.
I sell hair bonnets, jewelry, self defense items, crafting (photo car air fresheners and more), and my business is continously growing. I have love for variety of things and add them to my business.
I get everything from my mama, including the love of running a business. I know if she was here we would be running things for sure :).
I’m so proud my work. I’ve always been a hard worker but for my business it’s a different drive. Having a business has also changed me for the better. It has helped me to be more articulate, communication and calculated. Also more organized.
Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?
I have a hard time getting acknowledged on social media. No matter what I do. It was very discouraging at one time. Then I had to regroup and be like, “What would my mama do?” I started to remember how she was getting sales. She was being out in public. So the end of 2021 I started sitting out in parking lots selling my items. I would get sales and also made new friends from the set ups. I was so shocked because I thought it wouldn’t work and it did. I got recognized more.
Do you sell on your site, or do you use a platform like Amazon, Etsy, Cratejoy, etc?
I sell on Shopify. I did have an Etsy account. They’re both great.
Having a e-commerce account is very important during this decade. Everything, including businesses, get their money from having a website. It also will help drive your sales. It brings awareness to you and your business.
I don’t have any cons.
Contact Info:
- Website: linkpop.com/fancysexhibit
- Instagram: instagram.com/fancysexhibit
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FancysExhibit?mibextid=ZbWKwL
- Other: Tiktok: fancysexhibit & authenthicfancymonae
Image Credits