We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Mauriska Cyphers. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Mauriska below.
Mauriska , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. One of the most important things we can do as business owners is ensure that our customers feel appreciated. What’s something you’ve done or seen a business owner do to help a customer feel valued?
I always, always consider myself a consumer/shopper myself and think in that aspect first before being an actual business owner. I believe that when you try to place yourself in someone else’s shoes then you can better relate. It’s not that I’ve singled out one customer and showed them appreciation. I like to think that I treat all of my customers with appreciation. I’ve made my product presentation my customer appreciation!
Every customer that orders from my online store receive their items in decorative boxes! I don’t upsell for these boxes or add any additional fee’s, in some cases the boxes actually cost more than the purchase!
It’s my way of showing appreciation, it’s my way of showing each customer that they are special, who doesn’t like to feel to feel like they are receiving a gift. These boxes are special, lol they are keepsake boxes that inspire you to keep for yourself. They either have an inspiring message written on them, a design, coordinate with the colors of their order, or just co-inside with the season in which they are ordering. Either way every person that has ordered from me has commented on the BOX!!!
That’s a standard for CHOCLITEXPRESSIONS! and my return customer’s have come to expect and get excited about that!! Nothing better than feeling special. From the item that you ordered to the way that you receive it.
To me, that appreciation.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
Born and raised in Los Angeles, CA I am the youngest of 5 siblings. My father raised myself and my sisters as an self employed painter. I attribute that the to reasons why I enjoy working with my hands so much. Not failing to mention my love for colors! Although I’ve tried and continue to try many things that cycle around self creation. Recreating clothing has stuck! and continues to grow within me.
Being a plus size lady shopping can sometimes be more than a bad experience. We tend to get the short end of the stick when it comes to clothing. Call me selfish but I actually started my business with myself in mind (only) I questioned myself as to what can I wear that makes me stand out, of good quality, totally comfortable, and I’m cute! I started out sewing and found although it was rewarding I didn’t want to sew for anyone but myself. So, I took to items that I consistently wore. Hoodies, T’s, Tanks, sweatpants. They became blank canvas to me and I loved it! HBIC Her Business is Clothing was born, I was able to take the items that I wore on a everyday basis and recreate them into pieces of wearable art.
I expressed my love of color with hand tye dying, Heat pressing with vinyl in a vast colors available to me, I began hand cutting creating designs. I discovered my quality, my comfort and my cute all wrapped into one. Aside from satisfying myself I discovered that I had devised a way to help others that were in my same weight class! Plus size women had an avenue and we could finally come out of the closet of plain drab wear. You can have a say in what you wear instead of settling on what was presented for you to wear.
I’ve centered my brand on comfort and quality with a whole lotta of color. Yet, In 2022 I evolved from HBIC Her Business is Clothing to CHOCLITEXPRESSIONS.
Afterpay singled out Black owned businesses on their platform into a category. I decided then. If I was going to be singled out as BLACK then I needed to represent myself as such and exude my cultures history in-conjunction with recreating Hoodies, T’s, Tanks, sweatpants, etc…I began placing encouraging messages, saying of old, acknowledging Black History through inspiring quotes from Famous influential Black leaders and best of all, current culture attributes that continue to showcase talent through out the Black community. I’ve grown from just plus size to ALL sizes and Genders. No one should be singled out.
I’ve made it possible for my customer’s to have a say in what they want to wear by selecting clothing colors, vinyl colors, designs available or creating something specific. Which makes it custom and exclusive to your individual wants and needs! My brand stands out for not just the customization but the cutting styles as well as the hand tye dying which is not processed but eclectic.
I am exceedingly proud that the people who have purchased from me come back to purchase again! It verify’s to myself that my quality is standing up to its name and my customers know that they are getting what they paid for. I am exceedingly proud that although some challenges may be rough I haven’t lost my drive for what I am doing and that my work doesn’t feel like WORK!!
Every item that I create, whether is clothing or jewelry. It’s all created with love. I take it personal when it comes to the items that I sell because my name is on it!
Lastly, my slogan “Love the skin you’re in, and be uniquely you”
Can you talk to us about how your funded your business?
Funding has and is currently a challenge. I can honestly admit that every penny invested into my business comes from me and me alone! Oops one time I borrowed $500 bucks from my sister and she wanted her money back asap.
I work a regular job and multitask my business at the same time! I have been a school bus driver with the Clark County School District sine 1999. Which has enabled me to work to pay my household bills and fund my business. Yes, there’s been sometimes when I’ve had to make some executive decisions as to what was going to get paid but it’s always been whatever it takes.
Currently I am retired from the School District. A very close friend of mine offered my a job I couldn’t pass up and pulled me from retirement. Which I had intentions to dedicate 100% of my time to my business. I now manage an insurance office with 5 employee’s and work my business in the same location! I was offered office space to print and create so now I’m all in one which is a blessings because business is certainly picking up. I’ve been given the opportunity to come and go as my business needs require and still run the office.
My business is not just a business to me. She’s my baby! I have to take care of her until she can take care of me! whatever it takes. I’ll fund it until just like a parent does their child. Watch them grow and take off on their own.
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
Many times I have wanted to call it quits. Sales really low, no one going to my website, attending vending events and there was no foot traffic. Too many to tell. However, the beginning to 2023 I was tested and I really considered quitting. But God has a way of sending hope to couple with your faith to see it through.
January 2023 I had surgery on my shoulder.
February 2023 with my arm in a sling. I spent well over $5k of my savings for my business to be a vendor at the Black Beauty Expo in Atlanta GA. Gather up all my product, two workers and drove to Atlanta GA from Las Vegas NV in the winter snow!! I had hopes of gaining recognition as well as sell out of my product. I barely made enough to get gas money to drive us back to Vegas.
March 2023 my father died. Not prepared financially, mentally. Had to go to Texas.
March 2023 the home that I had been residing in for 8 years, the owner died. His family asked my to vacate the property. Again, Not prepared financially, mentally. I had no money to fend for myself or my business. I had to move in with a friend and put everything in storage!! with hope I put all my business equipment and assets in storage as well.
In June 2023 broke with $200 bucks in my pocket. I packed up and went to Elko NV, I had no money, no home to call my own and definitely no orders coming through. I took a dangerous job to get myself back on my feet. I was ready to call it quits. it seemed as if I was forgotten by family, friends, and customers. After two months of seclusion and working very hard. I returned to Las Vegas. Just when I was ready to throw in the towel I was offered a job, given space to work in for my business, selected to be a vendor in one of the most biggest events in Los Angeles CA, The LA Taste of Soul and blessed to acquire not only a place for me to live but also have it make money for me at the same time!! I went from no orders to being back logged in creating product!! I went from no coins to coming back to Vegas with 8k in my pocket and having earned another 8k while I’ve been back!!
God is my answer not only to despair but in good times as well. It is said having the faith of a mustard seed is all you need. I definitely have that. Having faith in God is my resilience.
Contact Info:
- Website: choclitexpressions.com
- Instagram: choclitexpressions2021
- Facebook: Expressions
Image Credits
Alexis Quon Precious Abrams-Carr Cassandra Mauriska Cyphers