We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Azizi Cowins. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Azizi below.

Azizi , 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?

I have been a full time entrepenur since 2016. I became a business owner of my own brick and mortars since 2020. I would be lying if I would say that it’s a great ride to be in. It comes with so many humps and bumps. There are so many times I thought to give up and go back to the corporate world. I would cry, kick and vent and then would sit and pray! Next thing that happens is confirmation from something of substance that shows me I cant give up and I am on the path I was mean to be on. They say ” What is for you will be for you”! I believe this wholeheartedly. I can remember that I was trying to find a contractor that wasn’t going to gauge me financially to have the floors laid in my new salon. I spent 2 months pulling my hair out trying to think how to make it work. I ordered the flooring, sat on youtube until 3 am and laid every inch of the 1600 sq ft flooring by my own hands. It was one of the most hardest and laboring things i have ever did. But those things as a business owner has to be done, by any means necessary. And it felt amazing every time someone came in to be in awe of the decor and find out that I laid my own flooring.

Azizi , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I am a lingerie boutique/salon owner who also coaches new entrepreneurs into finding their passion/purpose to start their own business. I think its important for business owners to recognize their undeniable skill set and use that as the basis of their business rather than follow a trend that doesn’t align with THEM. Same as in my boutique. I want you to feel special, and safe knowing that you will leave feeling catered to and confident in the choices you made to purchase with me that day. Ill never place my customers in anything that doesn’t fit not only their body type but also their personality. That i feel is what sets me apart from most. Its more than a sale for me. Its a lifestyle choice i provide. I am proud of the reviews i get from my coaching and my boutique customers when they say that they came in not knowing what to expect and how they would feel. But left feeling more confident in their decisions and choices and know they are in a judgement free zone every time we connect. For me I love that i get to combine both businesses. Self awareness as well as financial empowerment goes hand in hand. Think about it…Do you feel sexy when your finances are messed up? Do you feel confident when you aren’t aligned with your true self? Of course not. So its important for someone like me to lead in with caution and care so that my customer/client feels safe enough to be that vulnerable with me.

How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start your business?

During the pandemic i went through a major setback in my personal life. It made me take a huge dive in my finances so i wasnt able to “fund my business” the way i used to. But with the shutdown i was able to educate myself fully on the benefits of building business credit. Within 90 days i found myself in a space where I was able to acquire 4 brick and mortar businesses and fully furnish them. Along with purchasing a vehicle in my business name. I have always had my hand in knowing about personal credit, so to leverage business credit for ME was a GAME CHANGER. And ill tell any new business owner the same thing. Stop leveraging YOU for your business.

What’s been the best source of new clients for you?

My word of mouth has been such a blessing. The reviews by themselves are consistent and drive many from all over to come shop or do business with me. Thats an amazing feeling because its not the business they are coming for….its me! We still have a long road ahead but i made sure to do my research and corner the market where there was a true need. In my area there is 1 lingerie store in my area of close proximity, HOWEVER, they do not sell anything close to the items I have here in the store and don’t provide the type of experience that my customers get.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.sexeskins.com
• Instagram: sexeskinslingerie
• Facebook: Sexe Skins Studios
• Other: imladyzeellc- Instagram (coaching & credit)