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

Shadija , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Owning a business isn’t always glamorous and so most business owners we’ve connected with have shared that on tough days they sometimes wonder what it would have been like to have just had a regular job instead of all the responsibility of running a business. Have you ever felt that way?

Happier. I’m most definitely more happier now, as a business owner, than I was in corporate America. My challenge in this happiness is being proud of where I am. As a business owner I’m always trying to figure out how to make my business better while maintaining quality and customer satisfaction, which is great. However, it sometimes robs me of the joy of now. I forget that I am able to live my dream because people love what I create. As I say this I’m making a conscious decision to be prouder of myself and the accomplishments I’ve made as a business owner.

I would be lying if I said I didn’t think about having a regular job. I think about it often, usually when I am facing an obstacle. Currently I am trying to scale my business. This requires staff, consistent sales, more on-hand inventory, and adequate space. While in the shower, because as a business owner you are constantly thinking of your business, I had the though that I should have applied for business funding while I was employed in corporate America.

I wholeheartedly believe that when you are doing what the universe intended for you to do, ways will be made and reminders to keep pushing will come. Any time I second guess myself or my business I get an email, phone call, or order to remind me that I am where I am supposed to be.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I really don’t remember what I’ve told the readers before, so let’s hope I’m not being redundant lol. I’m a proud AfroLatina. My father’s side of my family originates from the Dominican Republic, while my mother’s side is African American originating from the southern states. Self care is something I wholeheartedly believe in. Weekly flowers, music, creating, being naked, and sitting in the sun are a few of my loves. I have two beautiful daughters, and a slew of girls I mentor through my non-profit. My business allows me to give back by contributing a portion of its profits to the causes of the organization.

With Love Dija provides me the opportunity to do one of the things I love the most, which is share love. Everything is not only made with love but packaged with love. Vibe checks are mandatory before interacting with products to ensure our best is always received. We create fun shirts, moisturizing and revitalizing body products, fragrant home products and more.

Has your business ever had a near-death moment? Would you mind sharing the story?

This year was my toughest as a business owner as my familial obligations were mighty. With it being my eldest daughter’s last year of high school she needed me more than I thought as she navigated the milestone while preparing for her future. My summer was consumed with preparing her for college and then getting her went to college. I then suffered a miscarriage. The demands and the tug on my heart from such a loss made it hard to create. Lack of time and pain smothered me, which caused me to lose some loyal customers. My business took hits but I know that even in those losses, I gained insight.

Do you have any insights you can share related to maintaining high team morale?

The best advise I can give is to be the manager you would like to have. Managing people means managing different personalities. It means providing direction in various ways to achieve the same goal. Managing people means having empathy. Managing people means being teachable, and having respect.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.WithLoveDija.com
• Instagram: www.Instagram.com/WithLoveDija
• Facebook: www.Facebook.com/WithLoveDija
• Other: I am adding products to the site this week, with completion expected by Sunday, so it would be ideal for this to be published after that time. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me, at 202.725.1904.

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