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

Brittney , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Do you have a hero? What have you learned from them?

My parents are my hero’s. More specifically my father. Martin Walker Sr., who recently passed Feb. 8, 2023. He never gave up, always worked hard to provide for his family and others. He just never quit & that was instilled in me.

He influenced my journey to be an entrepreneur with Airtafae a lot. He worked at his job for over 20+ Years and although it was good income, he was always working! Missing holidays and weekends with us. So I wanted to do the same; work hard but have my own time. That’s where Airtafae was established.

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 started Airtafae while working for the Secretary of State. I was filing business formation all day then in Jan. 2019 – I was like I need to file my own paperwork & start my own business.

From there, I started using my paychecks to buy inventory. Packing orders in my apartment and still working my 9-5p. At that time I was selling everything that was trendy. Lashes, sun glasses, clothes and the custom jewelry.

I grew my platforms organically. I posted day and night till it got annoying! I sent a few people with large followings items to post but it didn’t really work out. They would post and I would get no traffic. Or some would get the free items and never post, so I took those losses early on.

I didn’t want to be just another “boutique” so I started thinking of things that most companies don’t have. I was already selling the bamboo custom earrings, but I started pushing it. Marketing it more!

I worked hand and hand with my vendor to create the quality, different shapes and materials of the hoops. So that we aren’t just like the beauty supply hoops.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

I started doing pop ups at Lake Merritt in Oakland, CA. The real hustlers know! It’s easy to post online and get sales but to talk to someone and try to sell them something while they’re just enjoying a nice sunny day is different.

Before actually setting up, I went to the lake for about a month till I actually set up. Just to scope things out and get a feel from them. I had never done a pop up before – everything was online.

I finally was ready, nervous but ready! I bought a pink tent, so I would stand out. Had gimmicks like; free custom wine glass with every purchase, free shot with an ig shout out. I stood and passed out 100 business cards! Talking to everyone. My goal was to not comeback home with everything I had brought there. I sold out my entire inventory in my first weekend. I never gave up.

Can you talk to us about how your funded your business?

My first $500 my fiancé gave me. He purchased my camera, MacBook & inventory. After that I just used what I made to purchase more inventory.

There were times where I would get paid from my job and put almost my whole check into inventory that wouldn’t sale. So I started have crazy $5 sales just to make something back! I always recommend telling people don’t quit your job in the beginning!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://airtafaeboutiquellc.com/
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/airtafaeboutique?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
• Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/people/Airtafae-Boutique-LLC/100064197812958/

Image Credits
Professional photos by: Taina Quinones-Delgado Instagram is : Taina.qd