We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Shakila B. a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Shakila thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?

My mission with The Sparkle Company Chicago is to radiate brilliance from the inside out. While my brand continuously evolves, this core value remains steadfast. I take immense joy in crafting jaw-dropping pieces, each meticulously adorned with individually placed crystals.

When I began this journey, I focused on creating custom crystallized pieces for my clients. Over time, I realized that my passion extended beyond just creating art; I wanted to tell a story—my story—through each piece. My aim is to spread joy and evoke cherished memories for everyone who experiences my work.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

My name is Shakila B., and I am a self-taught artist and true creative at heart. From a young age, I have always loved transforming ordinary items into something glamorous. Raised by my incredible mother in a single-parent home, she did her best to provide me with a wonderful life despite the challenges she faced.

Growing up with limited resources, I was drawn to all things fabulous and glamorous, often envisioning what we couldn’t afford. This led me to discover that I could create my own luxurious items using whatever materials were available. I began by designing outfits and accessories for my Barbies, redecorating my bedroom, and even making my own curtains. My vivid imagination allowed me to visualize the final outcome before even starting the process.

For a long time, I assumed everyone had this gift, but I soon realized it was uniquely mine. When I first began, my creations often didn’t turn out as I envisioned, so I practiced intermittently throughout my childhood. Once I moved out on my own, I started experimenting with customizing furniture found in various places to decorate my apartment. Over time, my skills improved, and my work became more refined.

Once I became a single mother myself, I realized that I wanted to do more than just work a job and retire. I wanted to live my life on fire—waking up energized by the new opportunities each day presented to create something beautiful and live a life that my children could be proud of. Though I wasn’t sure this was possible, the idea continually pressed on my spirit, so I decided to pursue it.

In addition to taking a chance on my career path, I also took a chance on love. I met my husband while living in Houston, Texas, and my kids and I moved to Chicago, where we seamlessly blended our families.

The Sparkle Company Chicago was formed around February 2020, as the pandemic gave me the time I needed to rediscover my dormant talents. I began selling my pieces on Etsy and was pleasantly surprised by how well they sold. When my Etsy store eventually closed, I was devastated, but I used that time to birth my own product. I launched my line of limited edition sparkly pens called Penpops, which are trademarked and patented by the USPTO. These pens are produced in limited quantities bi-annually and sell out each time they are released.

Even though I was excited and grateful to have my own products out there, I still felt that there was more to explore. So, I began working on rehabbing and crystallizing a 1985 vintage Barbie Dream House. This project took me on an unexpected journey, helping me to reawaken a deep-seated joy I had long forgotten. The process of creating furniture, making over dolls, and adding beautiful crystals one by one connected me to my inner child. Something clicked inside of me during that project, and I decided to embark on a journey to bring that same joy to others.

What I am most proud of is my ability to persevere and stay true to my path without giving up. Even though I don’t have it all figured out and often feel downright frightened, I push through and do it anyway. This journey has revealed that the person I’ve always wanted to be has always been inside of me—she just needed to go through the process of becoming a diamond.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

A lesson I had to unlearn as an entrepreneur was the need to constantly hustle and chase every opportunity. Coming from a background where I was always grinding to pull myself out of poverty, I felt compelled to try to sell everything I could. However, I soon realized this was the worst business strategy ever—it only led to burnout, bankruptcy, and frustration.

I learned that there’s no need to chase what is inherently yours. The dreams we have are given to us by the Most High God, and it is through Him that we can act on and accomplish our goals. I needed to realign my ambitions with His plan for me. Once I embraced this, I started to create from the heart, telling myself that the money would follow.

I also learned that poverty is a state of mind. Spiritually and mentally, I have never been poor. As the saying goes, ‘As a man thinks in his heart, so is he.’ We become what we think about most often. I began to ask myself, ‘What outcome am I creating with my current thoughts?’ I decided to fix my thoughts on things that are good, true, and geared towards growth and excellence. Since adopting this mindset, my life has continually improved.

To anyone starting out, I recommend taking some time to visualize the outcome of your highest endeavors. Then, create a plan. Move in spite of fear, trust the process, and always check in with yourself to see if it feels right. I believe that’s how you know you’re doing things on your own terms. I always said I want a life that not only looks good but feels damn good from the inside out.

Have you ever had to pivot?

A pivotal moment in my business journey came when my Etsy store was unexpectedly closed. Initially, I felt utterly defeated and unsure of how to move forward. The closure forced me to confront my fears and realize that I needed to take control of promoting my business, which meant putting myself out there more—something that absolutely terrified me.

Rather than succumbing to despair, I used this situation as a catalyst for growth. It pushed me to create a product from scratch, fueled by just enough determination to silence my doubts. I designed, manufactured, and packaged the product myself, and even promoted it without a single paid ad.

Through this experience, I discovered my resilience in the face of adversity. I learned that I could pivot and create something more sustainable. What initially seemed devastating turned out to be a blessing in disguise, offering me valuable insights into my capabilities and who I truly am.

This journey taught me that setbacks are not the end but rather a chance to reinvent and rise stronger. To anyone facing similar challenges, remember that every obstacle is an opportunity in disguise. Embrace the pivot, trust in your abilities, and let your passion guide you to greater heights.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.thesparklecompanychicago.com
• Instagram: @thesparklecompanychicago
• Facebook: @thesparklecompanychicago
• Youtube: @thesparklecompanychicago

Image Credits

Photography by Freddie Collier