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

Desiree, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?

Starting my business as a single mother with a couple hundred dollars in my bank account, we work to serve single mothers and bring hope to women who need it. The story behind the mission is faith over fear and that anything is possible.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

My business started out of my need to provide for my daughter while being present with her. Instead of going back to work when she was 3 months old I took a leap of faith a launched a handmade hair accessory business with a couple hundred dollars in my bank account. Within 2 years we hired our first employee and secured our dream wholesale account. We now retail in over 200 locations in the US and have sense launched a sister company.

13 years later we are still growing and finding ways to better serve our market.

One thing that stands out to me is I have never forgot about WHY I started and have kept that in the forefront of my mind as I have grown the business over the years. The modern “work week” is not ideal for the modern mother and I worked to create a way I could be a present mother that could also provide — without sacrificing my passion and purpose in either role.

I took $2oo dollars and turned it into 6 figures in 2.5 years.

Ive used my own story to bring hope to others by partnering with non-profits and foundations that have similar purpose — to reach further into communities that need hope.

Each hair accessory is design by us and handmade in the USA

We know have sister company that has grown tremendously over the last 4 years where we design and create custom embroidered apparel

My situation as a single mother was very unplanned and put me in a very low point, my business was a vehicle to first bring me hope and purpose.

If you looked at my life 14 years ago nothing from the outside would of pointed to an individual that could own or operate a business. I am a recovering alcoholic with 14 year so sobriety now. A really cool story around this that brought me to sobriety.

I know have a small niche business that works to help people that are stuck in addiction and/or bad habits break free from them to be able to fully live and be their true self.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

Being told 1 year into business “to get a real job” from a loved one and how this catipulted me more than ever to be successful and prove them wrong.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

You need to have it all figured out before you start.

I know believe the opposite and perfection and the need to have it all figured out is an obstacle that often holds people back.

I knew very little about the business I got into and had zero business plan. What did have was a deep desire to provide the best life I could for my baby girl.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.hartsandpearls.com
• Instagram: @hartsandpearls
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/hartsandpearls