We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Bella Misfit a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Bella , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today So, let’s imagine that you were advising someone who wanted to start something similar to you and they asked you what you would do differently in the startup-process knowing what you know now. How would you respond?
What I would do differently is I would learn more about the industry. I wasn’t able to have the pleasure of having mentors or guidance. My family is of the working class, the entrepreneurial world is something they have no idea where to start. I was left to educate myself and I was determined. Secondly, I would learn how to invest my and educate myself on business tax. Investing could have set the tone for my business but unbelievably I wasn’t exposed to this growing up. Business taxes were introduced as I filed for my LLC. I knew another a business owner and I was told that since my revenue isn’t as much as theirs that I would be doing quarterly taxes. I was extremely appreciative of this information and have started educating others of the same. If these topic were taught or learned in the beginning, I know I would be further than I am not but I do not regret the struggle of finding out information on my own.
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers?
I was born in Miami but moved to Atlanta at the age of approx. eight where I grew up in a single-mother household. I always had my way of showing my fashion side, even if it was with my taking brother’s clothes and wearing it to school. I’ve always wanted to be in the fashion industry but growing up in a Haitian household, that wasn’t a good choice of a career. If you were not a doctor, lawyer or something similar your career didn’t matter. After high school, I went to college after a year of being out of school. Personally, for me this was the worst mistake I could have done. Reason being, I could’ve known so much more and been so much farther if my mother made it a priority to go to college or at least know what I want to do after graduation. While in school I didn’t know what type of career I wanted but I knew my interest were to maybe be a judge or an Attorney. So I decided to attend college for Criminal Justice, which I still enjoy to this day but wasn’t my passion. After Graduating with my degree, years later I wanted change since I really couldn’t get into the field and became discouraged. I then went back to school to for an education degree. I was a substitute teacher for a few months then I landed a job as special education pre-k teacher. I fell in love with my students. I feel like they became my own children. Even though I’m huge with fashion, children has always had a special place in my heart. There was downfalls of the job which was the pay wasn’t enough to satisfy my living. After a few years of this, I left from being a teacher in Georgia and decided moved back to Miami.
After a year of being in Miami, I had to figure out where my life should be headed and had an epiphany. Sitting on my bed at a lost of guidance, I received a message to start a business. Not knowing how or what needs to be done to get this done, I literally contemplated for a few months to even start this business and one day just decided to do a leap of faith and went forward with it. Prior to this moment, I researched how to start a business. Even with Google the process was extremely difficult because NO ONE was willing to help me. Despite no real support, Millionaire Misfit Boutique a.k.a Misfit Boutique and the Misfit Brand has been in business since 2019. My brand is different from other because I myself will be designing the new released items and there are new branding that will be released in the upcoming years.
My proudest moment is and always will be just taking to step forward to getting my brand started. I am glad I went ahead and started the process of owning my own brand. Misfit Boutique is a boutique which provides clothing an accessories. There is more in store that can not be released at this moment but be ready for this change in the brand.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
The lesson I had to unlearn is family and friends will be your first supporters. When I first started my business, I brought the idea to family and friends, They were excited and was willing to support the idea. When time came to purchase or at lease make a post, no one was there. It was the biggest disappointments of my life but it was the setting stone of what is to come of Misfit Boutique.
Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?
The most effective strategy to growing my clientele is wearing my pieces on a every day basis. When I attend events or a party, I wear a items that I sell and when someone ask where the item is from I tell them, guide them to my website and instagram and have them follow and also hand them a business card with the same Information I have shared with them.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.millionairemisfit.com
- Instagram: @_misfitboutique
Image Credits
@bbeautybybarbie – she took the picture that will be my thumbnail of myself