Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Prachi Patel. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Prachi , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Are you happier as a business owner? Do you sometimes think about what it would be like to just have a regular job?

I am so happy to be a business owner. When I first came to college I thought I was going to be a neurologist. I was pre-med up until my junior year when I changed my major to chemical commerce with a focus in business management. I realized my third year that I didn’t want to be held down by higher ups. Meaning that I didn’t want to have to rely on someone else to make my plans. Being stuck in the 9:00 to 5:00 life became less and less appealing the deeper I got into more advanced academics. I realized that I didn’t have a passion for science in the way that I thought I did. I realize that my childhood aspiration to help people wasn’t going to be through medicine anymore. With the help of a few friends and family, I was able to realize I needed to start my business in an official way. It always been my plan b but over time it became my plan A part 2. People always say if you want to be a doctor you can’t have a plan b or you’ve already failed. I had already been creating and selling my art since I was 5 years old. I realized it was time to actually do it in a way that was strategic and use my gift to my advantage. Over the years I learned how to make lots of crafts because I was an only child for most of my childhood. Both of my siblings were born in India and weren’t able to immigrate until I was already 12 years old. I was born in the US so I didn’t meet them until 2012. So I spent most of my days with my parents at gas stations that they ran passing the time with crafts, YouTube and boiled peanuts. I grew up in states like Alabama, Georgia, Florida and South Carolina. Watching them struggle to get trustworthy employees my entire life and having to work 18 hours a day. I knew that I didn’t want to have to do standing work because I saw what it can do to your legs. The pain that they were in everyday made me realize I definitely wasn’t trying to do that. I’m trying to be the start of generational wealth coming from a woman in my family. Gender roles are very specific and very particular in my family. I’m going to be the one to break them. Being a business woman isn’t as common as you would think in my community. Despite the challenges, I know that I want to be able to take a vacation whenever I decide and to decide my own hours. I definitely have plans to expand my business and hire people to help run it smoothly and to create jobs as well. Being self-employed has been the best decision of my life and I’m just getting started at 22 years old as of December 2022!

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 name’s Prachi Patel and my business is called Prachi Henna Art, LLC established November 2021. My business motto is if we’re not all friends, what’s the point? Keeping in mind that everyone isn’t your friend. I started crafting from a young age learning things through YouTube. I work with many mediums as well as do graphic design and digital illustration as well as social media marketing and marketing materials all in addition to my henna art. I have been doing henna since 2014 but professionally since 2020.

I offer a temporary tattoos in the Macon Georgia area (I do travel with a fee). I do so at The Pretty Fixx Beauty Spa and Bodycare at 2844 Napier Avenue, Macon, Georgia 31204 where I work with a team of WOC owned small businesses including: Tina Charm the owner of the pretty fixx
Foxxie Box Yoni Care
Shayonce Beauty Hair and Lux Wig Services
Tru Braids by Lizzie Marie Natural hair braider specialty kids styles
And Styled by Kanera for all your Locs needs

As for the products I sell:
Handmade Jewelry:
Clip on Nose Cuffs
Septum Cuffs
Cuffs with chain
Belt Chains
Wire wrapped crystal rings
Wire wrapped pendents
Wire wrapped credit card clips
Jewelry Wraps (wear as bracelet, necklace, anklet, or choker)
Wire wrapped earrings
Arm Cuffs
Crystal Bangles
Other:
Bucket Hats
Tote bags
Black light tapestries
Posters
Stickers
Incense Holders
Hand painted flower pots
Holographic Vinyl Art mason Jars
Marketing:
Social Media management
Posters/fliers for events
Coupons
Packaging
Edge to edge printing (borderless)

I offer an ambassador program so don’t hesitate, let’s be friends:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfgUndi4GpbiLermS7OvDlyg2KQ7NsHr67X1AUut9pBGOETZg/viewform

Can you open up about how you funded your business?

Honestly, I had a lot of my materials I needed already in terms of the crafting. When it came to making product, I made sure that my margins were good enough that once I sold a few items that I would be able to supply for the rest of the restocking. The biggest takeaway is making sure that you have big enough margins that you’ll be able to deal with inventory. I don’t necessarily have a traditional type of business model since I’m an artist. I will say plan to go shopping when you know there are sales in the materials that you need. Definitely getting an LLC and being able to open wholesale accounts will help as well.

What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?

I truly believe that working as many craft vendor events available to you will make all the difference in terms of making a name for yourself in the local area. I did markets in Atlanta, Perry, Macon, Warner Robins, and more. In addition to doing markets, you should make sure your Google Maps page is looking good and collaboration is also key with people who already have an influence in your area.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.linktr.ee/prachihennaart
• Instagram: @prachihennaart
• Other: If you want to book with the team @the_prettyfixx use the link www.linktr.ee/theprettyfixx