We were lucky to catch up with Alina Wilson recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alina, appreciate you joining us today. Owning a business isn’t always glamorous and so most business owners we’ve connected with have shared that on tough days they sometimes wonder what it would have been like to have just had a regular job instead of all the responsibility of running a business. Have you ever felt that way?

The question I get often is am I happy owning my own business or how does it feel to have my own business. Believe it or not it’s actually the best thing that has happened to me other than my babies Genesis and Harlem.

Have you ever created something from a mere idea and it’s now in front of you and no longer an idea? Yeah, it’s a pretty dope feeling. Many of us like myself have a lot of ideas but that’s where it stops but imagine taking it a bit further and following through with a dream and idea. It’s magic!

Owing Byou Boriginal LLC; an online women’s boutique has given me endless possibilities to reach women all over in an impactful way. I may only sell clothes to some but too many it’s a very personal vibe. The vibe where you’re no longer just a customer, you’re one of the home girls. I want to make sure its a memorable experience-and that my friend is what makes me the happiest! If you keep this mentality and what you do is what you love the sales will always just be a bonus.

At the current moment I still work my 8 to 5 job along with running my business and I’ve always wondered what it would be like to be a full time entrepreneur. Hats off to those that have already taken the journey. That is my next goal.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I don’t want to seem like a broken record but Byou Boriginal LLC started from an idea I had written down many years ago. I kept going back to it but the negative self talk kind of talked me out of it time and time again. However, the pandemic happened and we all know it hit many of us very hard and still affects us till this day. It showed me just how fast one could be unemployed and without anything. The pandemic also was a blessing in disguise for me because I had time to bring my idea into fruition and so on September 1st 2020 Byou Boriginal LLC was born. At this time I sell only women’s clothing in all sizes up to 3x and my clothes range from date night pieces to casual pieces. I always say if you don’t find what you need this time when visiting us online come back again and I’m sure you’ll find something. By the way my name is Alina Wilson, the owner; if you have ever interacted with our social media pages I actually email you back or reply to your comments, never a robot lol so please check us out and email me with any questions you may have.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

Going in business for yourself will always be the easiest part of it but it’s the staying in business and staying relevant that often will have you feeling like giving up. I have been in business for the last 2 years and there are months you wont get a sale or you may get one sale. However, my advice to anyone reading this is to keep posting on social media. What you post is not for the friends you have but to those that never become your friend (scrollers). Believe it or not people are always watching. Your social media says a lot about your business and posting content whether polished or not shows that you show up for your audience. Consistent posting and interacting with my customers has increased sales and also my following on TikTok and Instagram. People love to see the person behind the brand

Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?

Anytime I want to learn and add to my very own skills as a business owner, I go to Youtube! There are people out here dropping gems for free! All it costs is your time here and there. This has been my go to before I started my business and still a go to. If you have shopify, shopify has videos and other free workshops as well that you can attend in the comfort of your home. Two of my go to books have been Believe Bigger by Marshawn Evans and Skirts in the Boardroom. These two books got me to thinking outside of the box out of my comfort zone.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.byouboriginal.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/byouboriginal/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ByouBoriginal
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/awilson-mba/