We were lucky to catch up with Tania Kungu recently and have shared our conversation below.

Tania, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Along with taking care of clients, taking care of our team is one of the most important things we can do as leaders. Looking back on your journey, did you have a boss that was really great? Maybe you can tell us about that boss and what made them a wonderful person to work for?

Stacy O’Conner from Spencer’s Gift.

I started working for Stacy at the age of 15 at Regency Square Mall when it was popular to be at that mall. This was my first time ever working and she took a chance on me especially taking a risk around the holidays. Believe it or not I was very shy and never talked to people, I always tried to work in the back so I wouldn’t have to speak to anyone but that definitely did not last long. She had to push me a little bit to show my personality and for me to feel comfortable around other people.

I worked for Stacy on and off for 16 years and in between those years I developed and learned to be the person I am today. She promoted me to be a night supervisor at the age of 18, of course I was excited and grateful that she even wanted to consider me as part of a management team, but this was definitely a challenge for me with all the responsibilities that was thrown at me regarding handling money, watching employees, inventory, handling jewelry, closing the shop, etc.

Stacy Led me to be a leader which was challenging for me… you know that saying “Don’t be a follower, be a leader” I was definitely a follower growing up lol. After being with her for 16 years I always had an idea of having my own little shop but never knew where to begin. She is the person I will call when I need help on understanding something in the business world, she has been a great role model, mentor and friend.

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 background and context?

Hello, my name is Tania (Tanya) but also go by Nia. I always wanted to do something like a hobby but every time I wanted to try something creative, I couldn’t connect to it, or I wasn’t being consistent. I stopped for a little bit and then one day I was walking in the TownCenter and saw a cute little boutique and told my husband that I would love to have my own little shop, a small boutique that represents me and what’s around me.

I’m into yoga, meditation, crystals, Bohemian style but I’m also surrounded by people in my life that are a different culture from me. My husband is from Africa and his family is beautiful, learning their aspect of life by doing and creating beautiful items representing their home. I get products from Africa when my mother-in-law goes home to visit, the art is so beautiful and the designs that the artists make on the clothes and products. I also have a sister-in-law (My brother’s wife) who is Indian, and I absolutely love their style with their clothes and jewelry. Everything just looks and feel so comfortable and vibrant,

My Boutique is called ALBOE ” A Little Bit Of Everything” because I seriously have a mixture of everything in my store, I love to have different options for the different customers as much as I can but also still represent me and what the store means to me. I have been blessed to have friends and family that have been supporting me since I started which was April of 2021.

One of my friends was so interested in my boutique that she and her mother asked me to have some of my items in their Yoga studio and I couldn’t have been more grateful for that opportunity. I had my items there for about 6 months. One day I was driving around Riverside and I saw this store that I have been trying to go to for a while to shop, while I was there right next door was a for lease sign…..that’s when my mind started having so many ideas. I called the number met the leasing manager and took this big leap of faith and leased out the building for a year. This building matches everything that I want my boutique to be!! I am trying to have my shop be about me and my family but stylish, I want you to dress differently but comfortably, I want you to see what beautiful objects, fabrics and the material other countries have; you can decorate your home or yourself. “Do You Dare To Dress Different” is my motto.

I am Located at 1500 Kings St. Jacksonville, Fl 32205

How did you build your audience on social media?

This is a challenge itself. You have to try and get people to notice you and your brand, trying to get that trust from them to come back again or share your page. When I created my website, I also had the help of the site to market my page on Facebook and Instagram, then I started doing it myself on all my social media that I was on. It’s nice to have family and friends to support you also and to share your page or give good reviews to help my audience grow. Then there was TikTok… I am still new on this app and trying to figure out how to maneuver my videos and pictures, but I must be doing something right because ever since I created an account my following has been expanding or the traffic on my website has been rating up which is a great thing.

I model a lot of my items so potential customer can know what to expect before buying or I’ll make a little mini video for people to come out to the shop and see it firsthand. I sometimes do free give aways to build my audience as well and that have worked well… I mean who wouldn’t like to have free things?! :)

Can you open up about how you funded your business?

I honestly started out of my own pocket when it came to funds, I put a little bit here and there when I first started just doing the online business. I have tried multiple websites on getting grants and as I still do that I have finally gave in and did get a small loan to get the building I have now. I still do pop-up events when I can and when I do those events whatever I earned from that day I save. It’s still a long process that I am going through but I love the journey and learning through what to expect plus this does help with your credit score, so there is really nothing wrong with getting a loan here and there, but you also don’t want to be dependent on it either; it’s nice to know and say that you have done this all by yourself at times.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.Alboe.online
• Instagram: Alboe76
• Facebook: ALBOE “A Little Bit Of Everything”
• Other: TikTok: Alboe21