We were lucky to catch up with Christabell Nunez recently and have shared our conversation below.

Christabell, appreciate you joining us today. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?

It all began with my sister & I starting a podcast together sharing our story about meeting, at the time, 7 years ago and our love of pop-culture, fashion and all kinds of relationships. As we grew, we took to different passions and ended our joint podcast and I continued solo, but the mission remained the same, “Love Yourself, Follow Your Heart, and Break Generational Curses/Trauma.” As my podcast, What The Bell, began to gain traction on it’s own with a variety of topics from, “Cultural Appropriation in The Latin Community” , “Real Bodies in Brand Ad’s”, “Normalizing Not Wanting Kids” & to everyone’s favorite Sex topics I saw a need for people of all shapes, sizes, and shades. I preach on body positivity, learning to be comfortable with your naked self, and be proud of what your body can do for you and to wear what you want.
When I looked around, all of us women with real bodies that have some extra fluff, a booty, thighs, a tummy, real boobs and more didn’t have options to shop. Let me clarify, all bodies are real bodies, but we don’t see these bodies on the runway, or in ads. We had Lane Bryant, Torrid and prints or items made to be baggy, expensive, outdated, and unflattering. We have all seen the Torrid line that had skulls, roses, and a plaid print. That isn’t worth $84 a shirt.
I began to work on my own boutique, Sis Stop Shop. Sis Stop Shop, has a variety of sizes from xs-6x with quality, fashionability, andgreat price points. While Sis Stop Shop is size inclusive, I focus mainly on my mid to plus size bodies. I stand by what my Uncle Steve (Harvey)* says, “If you look good, you feel good, and if you feel good, you do good.” We deserve to look, feel and do good.
While Sis Stop Shop is continuing to grow, I continue to meet with other small businesses to network or feature on the What The Bell Podcast I noticed one more need was lacking. Support. Support for the small businesses to help with branding, photography, financial assistance due to damages, another pandemic..etc. Big businesses were met with resources during the COVID-19 pandemic with PPP loans, but what about the person who creates stickers, t-shirts, earrings, clothing, salsas, and more in their home who rely on their sales as income to live? There was nothing, or it was found out when it was too late.
This is the reason I have started Sis Grow, a Community Organization hopefully to turn Non-Profit very soon. We are in the early stages and are looking forward to hosting a variety of workshops, and free business resources for small businesses regardless is they have been around for years or are coming in as newbies. Maintaining a great creative space for us to come together collab, and accomplish our own person goals.

*Steve Harvey is not actually my uncle, it is an ongoing thing I say because I see him as family with his great advice.

Christabell, 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 born and raised Latina, in Austin, Texas who grew up in the east side before it was “the place to be.” My podcast, What The Bell, my boutique, Sis Stop Shop & the newly formed community org, Sis Grow all the same mission, love yourself, follow your heart, and don’t give up. My podcast preaches on loving the body you were given, mental health, overcoming real life situations along with funny antics, stories, real life advice, and special guest.My boutique is for the person who doesn’t feel like they have a safe, fashionable place to shop that isn’t going to break the bank. Loving your body and buying clothing that makes you do a double take of yourself is exactly what I want anyone to do when they purchase from Sis Stop Shop. Lastly, Sis Grow is used to help uplift small business owners vetted or newly started with workshops, resources, and a community to collab with.

One of the main things that I am proud of if the opportunity I had from my What The Bell podcast, which was to take part in a national commercial for the National Abortion Federation. I shared my story, which I share and discuss frequently and freely on the podcast. With R v W being overturned and my story being one that many do not get to hear I knew it was important for people to learn about and those in my position to know they are not alone.

Do you have any stories of times when you almost missed payroll or any other near death experiences for your business?

Before I officially opened my boutique Sis Stop Shop, I put together a gorgeous Spring Collection from an amazing designer from Madrid. The value of the collection was well over what I expected but the quality, and exclusiveness of the designer were something to not pass up. Months were coming close to my inventory to arrive and as I contacted them there was radio silence. I was astonished, while items were to be paid once I received an invoice before they shipped to me I wasn’t out any money but inventory as I already had a few events I was committed to, and a grand opening. Long story short, I didn’t hear from the designer until 3 months AFTER expected completion date, and was able to connect with a local designer and work along-side them to create some amazing pieces that worked wonderfully.
I was going through so much anxiety during this time, because I was advertising and hyping up the launch so much. Thankfully, I can say I was able to get through that with not only the help of my close circle but my therapist Sara.

What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?

Be yourself. Truly. People love the authentic person they are buying from regardless what you sell or create. Like myself who has 3 different businesses people believe and trust me because they know who I am is the same no matter what. A lot of people use the saying “fake it till you make it” No, sis stop right there. That is not the move.
Share your fails, share your mess ups, be honest if someone doesn’t look great in an item, or if someone else has something that would look better recommend that business. Often times there is so much competition in the small business world, but there is room for everyone to sit at the table.

I once was helping a new boutique owner get started, and in return this owner copied everything I did to a T. From graphics, to social media captions, videos it was a carbon copy. Sadly, people saw through that they were not being themselves and I felt bad because this person was not gaining traction or new clients.

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery but I highly recommend if you go that route to make it your own. Like I said there is room for all.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.sisstop.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/yosoybella
• Facebook: facebook.com/whatthebellpod
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/christabellnunez/
• Twitter: www.twitter.com/wtbpod
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIv-gRbweL_tzxiuV_4jFJA
• Other: Boutique: instagram.com/sisstop.shop Podcast: instagram.com/wtbpod Community Org: instagram.com/growsisgrow