Check Out Tonya Cross’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Tonya Cross

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
My handcrafted fashion accessory brand Accented Glory came to be from a personal need! I was having a hard time finding “natural hair friendly’ hair accessory designs when I started wearing my hair natural (not chemically altered) in 2001. One of my friends suggested that I make my own, so I did! My need turn out to be the need of other natural hair women who asked me to make hair accessory designs for them. My hobby of creating things by hand eventually become a business.

I enjoy creating things by hand! It gives me joy and peace. I believe that positive energy is passed on to each fashion accessory design I create.

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It definitely has not been a smooth road! One of my first obstacles was creating a great customer experience. I had to develop systems and processes that made it easy for my customers to select and purchase my hair accessory designs. I started out by vending in person at local events. I quickly learned that the packing up, unloading, and setting up process at in-person events wasn’t for me. These events were not a good return on my investment of money and time. I decided to try my hand at selling online.

My first online shop was on Etsy. It’s a platform specifically for handmade businesses. It was so much easier than vending at in-person events for me. I quickly started getting sells and Etsy already had systems and processes in place that provided a great customer experience. Creating designs for inventory and shipping off orders was a much better way to spend my time!

Then I added social media to my marketing strategy. There was a learning curve for it as well. It’s also important to stay on top of new features and strategies on social media platforms to be successful. Over the years, I’ve been a part of a few business cohorts, accelerators, and courses that has helped me tremendously.

Since then, my brand has grown to where I now sell hair accessories, jewelry, and handbag designs. I also now sell on Amazon, Etsy, my website boutique and at Milton Rhodes Center of the Arts gift shop in Winston Salem, NC.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m an accessory designer for my handcrafted fashion accessory brand Accented Glory. My specialty is cowrie shell and African print designs. The cowrie shell has African roots and portrays a message of hope, honor and inspiration. I’m most proud of my designs being featured in well known publications like Essence, Refinery29 and Good Housekeeping as Etsy or Amazon finds. My designs have both an Afrocentric and Boho Chic vibe and accents both fashion styles. African, mermaid, and spiritual cultures resonates with my designs because the cowrie shell represent different things for each community.

What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
I reside in Salisbury, NC! The home of Cheerwine and Food Lion. What I like most about Salisbury is that it has a small hometown feel. Things more at a slower pace however, it’s close to Charlotte, Greensboro, and Winston Salem if you’re looking for bigger events and activities. I wish Salisbury had a larger art culture that expands beyond visual art and theatre. I was recently appointed to the local Arts Council and hope to make a difference by broadening opportunities to other art forms and providing educational programs for artist.

Pricing:

• My hair accessory designs price range is $30 and up!
• My jewelry designs price range is $30 and up!
• My handbag designs price range is $40 and up!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.accentedglory.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/accentedglory
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/accentedglory
• Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/accentedglory
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@accentedglory
• Other: https://www.pinterest.com/accentedglory