We recently connected with Shania Love and have shared our conversation below.

Shania , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. If you could go back in time do you wish you had started your business sooner or later

In my personal opinion I do wish that I would have started my business sooner. I feel as though it had the potential to help more people early on. I do believe that it was created in its own timing to give me a unique purpose and reason to keep going.I started my business when I was 19. It was after I found out that my mother was diagnosed with cancer and she was loosing her hair. This business started out with one product initially which was the hair growth oil. I was a freshman in college going to school for forensic science at Albany State University where I later got my Bachelors in Science. Starting sooner for me would have looked like start back when I first got to high school. I think that with the resources at my school it could have allowed me have a stronger foundation. The structure of my business could have been better articulated. Looking back I think I was blessed with the opportunity when I was equipped enough to be able to receive it. I feel that even if I did start sooner that I probably wouldn’t have been as impactful as it is today. My brand Love Kouture has gone on to help so many people in my community and beyond. This brand has become more than I could have imagined. My purpose for starting this company is what has pushed me to keep going after all these years along with the testimonials of some of my clients.

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?

Love Kouture is a uniquely designed business within a category of its own. At Love Kouture our motto is ” Love Kouture is a brand that Loves to Kater to you” Love kouture specializes in multiple categories from hair care, to body love, to lip care and accessories. Our products are used to help people feel as though the kouture we provide is to help bring out their Love within. We even have naturally formulated products that will help with hair and beard growth along with a sense of sparkle with our body shimmers. Whether you suffer from hair loss or stunted hair growth will do our best to get you the results you desire. We as a company nourish you from head to toe to ensure that we kater for you and bring out the love within so that it shines on the outside as well. From beard growth oil, hair growth oil, durags, wig glue, lashes, lipgloss, sunglasses, shades, body shimmers, and more to help best kater to your needs. The purpose of this business is to help you feel your best uniquely made self and to bring out the love within so that others can see the beauty within. We are currently known for our durags and body shimmers we keep your hair tight while making your skin look right. As a company, I am most proud of our growth and how we are helping others to see the beauty that they have to offer with our products. What sets me apart from others would be my brand as a whole. We have uniquely crafted formulated products for customers, and we have great customer service anytime there is a problem or when my customers have questions I am quick to help them because they are who I do this for. Without them, my brand would not be where it is today. Also, I strive to build my business to be successful to show others that you can have a business that’s within its unique category instead of being constructed and defined as one thing, one line of service, especially when you have more to offer because there always more to see and become.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

It was not a smooth road at all. Being an entrepreneur is not as easy as most may think. There are a lot of behind-the-scenes issues that affect not only your customers but your brand as a whole. I was struggling at first with getting shipments in because of the pandemic and that discouraged me because it was like now I can’t give my customers what they need. I felt like I wasn’t giving my customers the best at that time. Companies thrive off supply and demand and I had no supply for my demand. They with the mail service post office line has been longer than usual due to the pandemic so I knew that I needed a reasonable time frame to present to my customer when they should expect their packages. With that, I had to find another outlet than having packages go out late because of the United States Postal Service. I needed to find the best fit for my customers. Sometimes as an entrepreneur, you have to get uncomfortable to put yourself in a comfortable place in the long run. I have to go a little further now to ship packages but my customers are happy because they sometimes now get their packages before the expected day. Now I’m used to it so it’s now a good fit for me and my customers. You have to be mindful of the issues that can potentially arise within your business. You need to always prepare for the unexpected so you can always provide the best customer service to your customers. I also had to balance school, work, and a business all at once which at the time was something very new to me. I had to get into the swing of things, time management is key in everything we do. I was also having to battle not only my mom’s health but my health as well with finding out that I am now a nineteen-year-old diabetic. This business gives me the time that I need not only as a student but as a new business owner to constantly find new ways to build my business while making sure I’m taking care of myself. Despite all the obstacles and challenges, it’s still the best decision I have ever made.

Have you ever had to pivot?

My mom has been most helpful in helping me overcome challenges or build and develop the essential skills, qualities, or knowledge I needed to be successful. My mother Shawana Bussey has always had an impact on my business. My mom was the reason I started my business even though she passed on 12/24/22 she continues to push me. Knowing what my mom wanted for me and how she saw my success will always be near and dear to my heart. My mom’s memory runs throughout my business. I will continue to make her proud by remaining true to myself and helping others in the process. The plans that I have for my business are not only for the advancement of myself but for those who come after me as well. Losing a parent is never easy but she’s in me. She helped to build me and get me to where I am today and I will be forever grateful. Without my mom, I wouldn’t be the young successful woman that I am today.

In loving memory of Shawana L. Bussey ’22
To my other half I will always love you XOXO love Punkinista

Contact Info:

• Website: http://www.loveatkouture.org/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lovekouture_/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lovekouture19
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/Skittlessweet27
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCFYRW2dwRRkcQKlEvkm-wsA