We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Shaneka Dixon. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Shaneka below.
Shaneka, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today How did you come up with the idea for your business?
I literally was sitting in my living room thinking to myself mannnnn I have to come up with something, something that’s going to help me to never have to clock in again lol! Knowing I had been working since I was 15 years old! Went on YouTube to listen to music while I get ready for work and while scrolling I seen how to make a epoxy keychains… I’m like waitttt a min this a sign lol! So I watched the video and many others! Meanwhile supposed to be getting ready for work… I then scrolled across a video of How to make custom shirts I’m likeeee you know whattt this the biggest sign ever lol…called that job like helloooo umm yea i won’t be able to return lol it’s money on the floor lolll!! immediately ordered equipment and then boom the pandemic hit… I continued to teach my self how to use my equipment, went down to the state clerks office, started a registered business named BOUIJEE PALACE! and began selling my items on all platforms! I then sat to myself and thought, why not teach others how to get to this sameeee bag I’m getting to! Teaching those who wants to get into their creative bag and mindset as well! So I did!
Shaneka, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
My name Is Shaneka… but everybody calls me NEECKA! I am the BIG proud owner of BOUIJEE PALACE! Bouijee palace was established in 2020.. and have been going strong since! I am one of the dopest crafters out here, not only do I create and customize almost anything imaginable! I also teach people to do the same! I absolutely love what I do! I came up with the name BOUIJEE PALACE for my business thinking it best described the storefront of my dreams! Bouijee, classy, and a place that can have any thing as big as a palace! Bouijee Palace offers soooo many different items like, custom clothing, shoes, memorabilia items, custom business cards, custom bathroom sets, tumblers, mugs, personalized pillows, kids learning tables and soooo much more! And during the time of me making my own coins, I teach others so they can do the same!! Told my husband I AINT NEVAAAA clocking in again and lol I meant just that lol! I’m most proud because I literally built this from the ground from zero!! Me being an influencer makes me smile most because I never followed trends to get my followers well I like to call everyone my supporters! But I literally earned each and every last one of them! Teaching and just me being me! I have a good positive vibe who makes people feel normal! Many connect with me because I’m always smiling and encouraging others to keep their head up no matter the situation! Always keep going! Sooo many people have learned from me, and soo many people have became loyal customers! Bouijee Palace carries EVERYTHING THING CUSTOM… and my crafting community that I’m the founder of BOUIJEE FAMILY, listen it’s some of the most supportive, encouraging group of people! I have created a community of people who has neverrrr met each other! But had came together as a crafting family and pushes eachother to be great! Teaches each other the same way I have taught them!! It’s just amazing! You look for me and Bouijee Palace when youre looking for something custom or personalized that’s going to last forever! Looking to stand out and have the best of anything Look for BOUIJEE PALACE!
How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?
I’ll never forget how this journey even started! At the time my three children, my boyfriend and myself were living in Detroit Mi…. We all born and raised from the D! We literally got soooo tired of all the crazy mess that was going on in the city and wanted sooo much more for my children and ourselves… I reached out to a friend I knew since childhood because she had recently move to Tennessee and I want to know what it was like and babbyyyy she said it was great, it was good weather, they didn’t get snow I’m like ayyyyeeee it sounds like a plan! We picked up and moved not even 2 weeks later! We literally moved to Tennessee with $700 two bags and a prayer! We started off staying with a friend after three months later, stacking and working, we was outttt! We had got our first house!! It’s funny because the house was only a two bedroom but babyyy we didn’t care it was ours!!! A year later what was my boyfriend became MY HUSBAND! We upgraded to a three bedroom house and started a business, kids getting good grades, it was up! We now have a four bedroom three bathroom home, I said all this to say you never underestimate what God has for you! You keep striving, you keep your head up, and as long as you move right everything will be alright!
How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?
Me being myself and staying true to self is one of the main reasons people relate to me! Dedication and effort goes a long way. Realizing you’ll only get out what you put in will have you steady pushing
Contact Info:
- Facebook: Bouijee Palace
- Youtube: NeeckatheTeacher
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@neeckatheteacher?_t=8YhFg6ez7wk&_r=1
Image Credits
Deontae Dixon