We recently connected with Sharonda Williams and have shared our conversation below.
Sharonda, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear how you think where to draw the line in terms of asking friends and family to support your business – what’s okay and what’s over the line?
This topic has been a revisited topic of discussion in my life since the tender age of 12. Yes! 12. I have the hustler gene from my late father and, unfortunately, the same heart for helping others and not having that same energy reciprocated. Now, before I continue, please read my tone as honest and not bitter.
I would like to quote one of my favorite proverbs, 17:17; eh ahem, “A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.”
Solomon is saying that a brother is born to help us in tough times. A brother sticks with you when adversity strikes because that is what family does. Brothers prove they are brothers in moments of adversity. Brothers are brothers in the fullest sense of that word when adversity strikes.
I don’t feel like some friends and family. They’ve not supported me as a professional from haircuts, weaving, silk presses and braids. I’ve given and helped many start businesses and passed on clientele, help whenever I saw the need. When I asked for my fee or assume these people booked me to pay me, they gave me no money. Most of the time I’m referred to as “mean” if I give my quote! lol, Church family too!! assume that you will work your job and give your time for FREE. Ya girl has set up Zoom Meetings, In-person meetings, drawn-up proposals, etc. When the person gets to the pricing lol, it’s as if I’m not supposed to charge. A brother/sister is supposed to be there when you need them, right?I use my personal Facebook and Instagram to follow, repost and create stories for friends (well so I thought were friends) who paid full price and never asked for a discount when purchasing their products, when they start businesses, record a record, or write a book, etc. because that’s what I like to see and support my peeps doing it! Winning! Ask me how many or if any of these so-calls have posted any of my work. The answer is simple, None, Zip, Zero. Thank God! Blessed to have “friends” now and past acquaintances that have seen me and respect me as a professional in whatever I do. Self-care is literally “Caring for yourself” protecting your heart above all costs and eliminating toxic relationships. I am truly grateful and learned to set boundaries and stick with them. I love and appreciate my friends and the family members that are supporting me. For the ones that don’t, Sharonda still loves you as well.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
What prompted me to start my business (CTCBold) was that a lot of the things that I do as a homemaker get the attention of people that I know. So I turn my passion and hobbies into a profit. I love capturing memories of my own and others. I believe that to think of good things; we need to capture good things! So my goal is to do just that, giving you memories to treasure and uplifting you on your bad days! Not only do I provide cater to personal photographer experience, but I can also enhance your beauty with makeup, style you with items from your closet, hook your hair up, create content, and schedule consultations. Occasionally I sell or rent items from my closet, some as new and some gently worn. I was born with a business mindset. I see beauty in everything and I multiply. If there is a problem that needs solving, I provide the solution with the work of my own hands or find a company that will serve the person with the same enthusiasm. One thing I’m most proud of is that they have not fired me from a job or gig and I’m meeting people that value me and my work. CTC Bold is the leading legacy of CTC (Chiyna Traveling Chair) I’m taking a bolder approach by expanding past doing hair and providing help for vendors, event planners, and small business owners who can use the help to serve their clients online or locally.
Can you talk to us about how you funded your business?
So, like many entrepreneurs, I didn’t save up for my business adventures. My collateral is in my hands. Whenever I felt led to work, I would look for a job locally and invest in my business by buying equipment and transportation. As a wife of a musician/producer, mother, and teacher of two young autistic boys, my life has to be scheduled, organized, and open for random, depending on the priorities at home. Once the monies are constantly flowing into my accounts, I will quit whichever contract or client that interferes with my home and the main line of income. I use my business to fund my home. My family is my major investment.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
A lesson that I had to unlearn was my interpretation of the famous mantra “that’s your family,” and the family takes care of family.” When I was venturing out into acting, trying my hand at a talk show, and starting my traveling hairstylist business during high school. I needed my parent’s and siblings’ support. I didn’t know how to communicate that with love. Instead of asking and sharing with my family what I needed, I just use the disappointment to fuel my passion for what I deemed as a success for those years. In return, I hung around and attracted people that shared the same pain of disappointment. Thinking that your family owes you just because your blood is wrong mentally and it is unhealthy & may lead to narcissistic behavior. So I’ve learned and still praying that daily the Holy Spirit will give me the words to say if they need to be said and the instructions on what to do if it needs to be done. I pray more so that I’m more understanding of boundaries with family & friends and my expectations in those relationships.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ctcbold/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CTCBOLD
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/user_details?userid=dciJsBrYhqaav01474662A
Image Credits
My myself Sharonda Williams of CTCBold.