We recently connected with Felicia Vertis and have shared our conversation below.

Felicia, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Often the greatest growth and the biggest wins come right after a defeat. Other times the failure serves as a lesson that’s helpful later in your journey. We’d appreciate if you could open up about a time you’ve failed.

“When My Business Hit a Wall: The Day My TikTok Was Banned”

Starting my business, Powetik Waist Beads, was one of the most challenging yet rewarding experiences of my life. From humble beginnings, I had managed to grow a strong community around my work. But by far, one of the most powerful drivers of my business’s growth was TikTok. I still remember the feeling of going from no followers to over 22,000 in just a couple of years, from 2022 to 2023. It felt like I was finally getting seen by the world; my sales and orders rolled in daily from live streams. TikTok wasn’t just another platform for me—it was where most of my new customers came from, and where the everyday hustle really paid off.

Then, one day, everything changed. My TikTok account was permanently banned. No warnings, no clarity on why it happened. One moment I was answering customer questions and showcasing my products on live, and the next, I was locked out. I felt completely blindsided. Losing that platform not only affected my connection with loyal customers, but it also cut off the pipeline to countless new customers who might’ve discovered Powetik for the first time. Sales took a huge hit, and my confidence did, too.

I spent weeks trying to understand what went wrong, going through TikTok’s appeals process, but I was met with silence. That feeling of being knocked down without a clear reason was tough. But I soon realized that the best way forward was to get creative and diversify. I leaned harder into my other platforms, email marketing, and website, exploring every other way to keep my business visible.

Looking back, this experience taught me that setbacks are part of the journey. It pushed me to find resilience and expand my strategies to keep moving forward.

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?

“The Story Behind Powetik Waist Beads: A Journey of Passion, Craft, and Connection”

My name is Felicia, and I’m the founder of Powetik Waist Beads. I started this business because I wanted to create pieces that reflect strength, beauty, and self-expression for women of all backgrounds. Born and raised in Fort Lauderdale, I’m also a veteran, which taught me resilience and hard work, both of which have been vital in building Powetik over the past four years.

I got into this industry because I’ve always loved the creativity and heritage behind waist beads. They’ve been worn for centuries, symbolizing femininity, confidence, and sometimes personal milestones. I wanted to bring that tradition into my own community with modern designs and accessible pricing. I started small but consistently shared my work online, which grew my following, especially through TikTok.

At Powetik, I offer a variety of handmade waist beads, bracelets, and necklaces, with every piece crafted to help my customers feel empowered and confident. I also make custom Crocs and accessories for sororities, as well as loungewear in my upcoming line Rich Off My Hustle, which captures the spirit of dedication and perseverance I bring into my brand. My pieces are for women of all ages, colors, and sizes, with waist beads available up to 60 inches. I recently added Afterpay to make it easier for customers to enjoy my pieces while budgeting comfortably.

What I think sets Powetik apart is the deep, personal connection I have with my customers. Each piece has a story and is made with care, from my best-selling Purple Reign waist bead to seasonal collections like my upcoming fall Jade necklace launch. I’m especially proud of how much my business has grown through authentic connections—whether on live streams, where customers can see each piece up close, or in personalized customer service that makes each person feel valued.

I want my potential clients and followers to know that Powetik isn’t just about jewelry; it’s about building confidence and embracing beauty in every form. This journey has taught me resilience and creativity, especially when setbacks arise—like the time my TikTok account was unexpectedly banned, which hit sales hard. But each obstacle has only reinforced my commitment to finding new ways to serve my customers and keep growing.

At the heart of Powetik is a commitment to providing women with high-quality, beautiful pieces that celebrate who they are. I’m passionate about what I do and excited to share my work with everyone who connects with our story.

Can you open up about how you funded your business?

Here’s a draft that captures the essence of starting Powetik Waist Beads on a small budget, with an inspiring focus on determination and creativity:

“Starting Powetik Waist Beads with Just $50”

When I started Powetik Waist Beads, I didn’t have a big budget or investors backing me. All I had was a $50 bill—the last bit of cash to my name at the time. That small amount felt like a big leap of faith. I used it to buy my first round of beads and string, determined to make something out of almost nothing.

With that initial investment, I crafted my first set of waist beads, photographing each piece and sharing it on social media to see if there was interest. I was amazed by the response. Every sale I made went straight back into the business, allowing me to buy more materials, make more designs, and slowly grow my brand.

It wasn’t easy. For the first year, I reinvested almost every dollar into building Powetik, focusing on quality, customer service, and brand identity rather than quick profits. I spent hours experimenting with designs, connecting with customers, and learning about marketing through trial and error. My vision was to create something that wasn’t just beautiful but meaningful for the women wearing my pieces.

Starting Powetik Waist Beads with such limited resources taught me that you don’t need a huge budget to follow your dreams. With creativity, hard work, and a clear mission, I’ve been able to turn that initial $50 into a thriving business that serves women around the world. It’s a journey I’m incredibly proud of, and it reminds me that sometimes, the most important investment is believing in yourself.

How did you build your audience on social media?

Here’s a response that shares your journey building an audience and offers some practical advice:

“Building My Social Media Audience from the Ground Up”

When I first started Powetik Waist Beads, I knew that social media would be key to reaching new customers. I didn’t have a huge following or fancy tools—just a passion for my craft and a desire to connect with people. I started by consistently posting on TikTok, sharing everything from new designs to behind-the-scenes moments. I kept it authentic and focused on showing the beauty and meaning behind each piece, which I think really resonated with people. Over time, I went from zero to over 22,000 followers, with most of my orders coming from those live interactions.

My advice for anyone just starting to build their social media presence is simple: stay consistent, be genuine, and keep experimenting. Consistency matters because it helps your audience learn what to expect from you. Authenticity is essential, too—people can tell when you’re passionate and when you’re just posting for the sake of it. I found that sharing personal stories, like my journey starting with only $50, made my followers feel connected to my brand and story.

Another key tip is to experiment with different content. Try live streams, videos, and images, and pay attention to what your audience responds to the most. Lives were a game-changer for me, allowing me to interact directly with customers, answer questions, and build relationships. Lastly, don’t get discouraged by setbacks. I lost my main TikTok page due to a sudden ban, which felt like a huge setback, but it reminded me of the importance of diversifying across platforms.

Building an audience takes time, patience, and a lot of trial and error, but if you stay true to your brand and focus on connecting with people, you’ll find your community.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Powetikwaistbeads.com
• Instagram: Powetik_waistbeads
• Facebook: Powetikwaistbeads
• Youtube: Itsyagirlfeefee
• Other: TikTok: Powetikwaistbeads