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

Alright, Christina thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?

Nicole’s Locker was started due to seeing and being enraged that popular businesses did not carry trendy plus-size clothing for teenagers or young women. It was a time when I would ask for a style in a size and was told they only have that size online, or to go to the mall and be advised to go to the women’s section to find a dress. When all of the cute trendy dresses were in the juniors.
That was the first and last time I wanted to witness my daughter crying about not being able to find her size. Having went to four different clothing stores to either not find her size or not find anything trendy that complimented not only her but also her age.

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.

Nicole’s Locker was brought to life by my daughter and I. Nicole is my daughter’s middle name and her aunt’s middle name as well, unfortunately, she had passed away and, my daughter and others were devasted. She was and is a great person who loved her family. My daughter was her first niece. She meant so much to us that we decided to honor her in our business venture.
What many people do not know is that I am not from the plus-size community; however, a majority of my family is. Growing up, I was in awe when I saw my grandma and aunts dress up. Back when I was growing up, the internet was not a thing, Therefore to me more stores carried more variety of plus size clothing. If there was not I could not tell as the women in my life knew how to dress for any and every occasion.
I have always had the utmost respect for women with curves, forget plus size title! Never cared for that term in the first place. How society shifted seeing a curvy woman and assuming it is due to just eating is disgusting behavior and train of thought in my opinion. People thinking that being under a certain BMI or weight makes you healthy is ridiculous. Attributing weight gain to just food alone is completely ignorant in my opinion. And it may mean nothing to anyone since I am not considered part of that community.
I consider myself part of the curvy community and every community that focuses on self-acceptance and self-love. There is absolutely nothing wrong with wanting to lose weight but lose weight because you want to and not because society has made one feel as though if one is not a certain size one will not be accepted.
No matter what size whether you are big, small, or in-between someone in the world will find something wrong with you. And that’s ok, because you do not live for someone else’s satisfaction you live for yours.

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

All the cost that I have spent on getting Nicole’s Locker established from my pocket. No grants, I did have to take out a loan. When I took out that loan I stated once it is paid off I personally did not want to do that again until I could get a storefront,
I have gone as far as reaching out to businesses asking to partner with them. I have contacted several small businesses and just like me they were trying to plant their feet in the ground as well. But I have not given up and will not give up.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

There is a saying “Expect the unexpected” I had to come to the realization in my personal and professional life to STOP expecting people to think like me, and to have the same drive, loyalty, and ethics as I do. I expected a lot of people throughout my time on this earth and have been disappointed over 90% of the time. When I stopped expecting and started doing and stopped waiting on people that is when I started to see a light at the end of the tunnel, and it was not a train. This is not to say I do not believe in the people I surround myself with in regard to doing the right thing. My expectations at times were unrealistic because I made them and was tunnel-visioned. When I refused to see the risk and only the gain I set myself up for failure. I hurt my feelings. And that was what needed to happen to humble myself about life and situations. As well as how to handle them. I am nowhere near where I would like to be but I am thankful I am not where I used to be.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.nicoleslocker.com/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61558768568631