Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Tonique Brown. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Tonique, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Any thoughts about whether to ask friends and family to support your business. What’s okay in your view?

I love asking my friends and family to support my business, although in reality, I often don’t even need to ask. They come to me first whenever they need something they know I can create. What I truly appreciate about my supportive friends and family is that they never expect discounts. Of course, I’m more than willing to offer a discount if the product doesn’t meet their expectations or arrives damaged. However, I believe it’s impolite to ask for a discount simply because of our personal relationship when they wouldn’t do the same elsewhere and pay full price.

I approach my business with the same professionalism as a big business. It’s crucial to treat it seriously and professionally, as doing so sets the standard for how others will perceive and treat it. By valuing my business in this way, I can expect others to do the same.

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?

Allow me to introduce myself to those who are not yet familiar with my journey. My path into the world of entrepreneurship was driven by a burning desire for independence. From the outset, I have always harbored a strong sense of self-reliance and the dream of working for myself. Instead of laboring for someone else’s financial gain, I wanted to channel my passion and hard work into building a better future for myself.

In pursuit of this vision, I established my own business specializing in crafting custom apparel, drinkware, and unique memorabilia. Each product is meticulously made to order, and I take immense pride in ensuring that every creation is distinct and of the highest quality. As a perfectionist, I never settle for anything less than my best, and customer satisfaction is always my ultimate goal.

Beyond my dedication to crafting exceptional products, I am fueled by a genuine desire to give back to the community. To achieve this, I am actively considering the launch of a mentorship program targeted at young entrepreneurs in middle and high school who aspire to create their own fashion lines. Drawing from my previous experience as a trainer, I find immense joy in guiding and inspiring others. Through this mentorship initiative, I aim to instill in our youth the belief that legitimate success doesn’t require resorting to illegal activities for quick money.

I am immensely proud of my journey so far, and my commitment to excellence and community impact sets me apart in this industry. For potential clients, followers, and fans, I want you to know that my brand is driven by passion, integrity, and a genuine desire to make a positive difference in the world.

What’s been the best source of new clients for you?

The best source of new clients for me has undoubtedly been my friends and family. They serve as walking billboards for my brand, showcasing everything I create for them by wearing or using it proudly. Their enthusiasm extends to taking pictures and posting them on social media, or even bringing my products to work, where people inquire about them. Their unwavering support and willingness to spread the word have been instrumental in expanding my client base.

How did you build your audience on social media?

I grew my social media audience through a combination of research and presentation. Firstly, I invested time in researching popular hashtags and trending topics related to the products I post. Additionally, I learned the optimal posting times for each platform to maximize reach. Consistency was crucial, so I made sure to post regularly, allowing my content to reach different algorithms.

The support of my friends and family played a significant role as well. They tagged me in posts featuring products they received from me, which in turn attracted new followers to my account. Captions also played a key role in engaging my audience. I focused on crafting descriptive and catchy captions, while also tagging the products to provide direct access to interested customers.

For those embarking on building a social media presence, my advice would be to conduct thorough research to understand and target your desired audience effectively. Additionally, creating a professional and consistent presence is essential to establish credibility and trust.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.nonchalantbyneek.com
• Instagram: nonchalant_by_neek
• Other: TikTok: neek_rene504