Today we’d like to introduce you to Tyneshia Smith.
Hi Tyneshia, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I come from a long line of fashionistas who love to accessorize and jazz up their outfits, so picking out jewelry and other women’s accessories has always been exciting for me. I started Shantilly Glam Boutique as a hobby in 2017 while shopping for jewelry for myself. At that moment, I told myself “I am going to start selling cute and unique jewelry that people can’t find everywhere”.
That’s exactly what I did. Shantilly Glam Boutique started with a $100 investment, and I am proud to say that today, the business is in three retail stores. The first opportunity presented itself in 2019, when Shantilly became a pioneer brand at The Lounge by Mom Redefined, currently located in Crabtree Valley Mall. In 2020, I was furloughed from my full-time job so I decided to expand and grow my business and become a full-time entrepreneur.
I joined the team at Black Friday Market, located in Downtown Raleigh. Shantilly also joined 252 HQ in Wilson, NC in 2021. This is a growing business, and I don’t plan on slowing down.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
The road has definitely been challenging. Initially, finding the time to focus on my business was not easy. There were times, in the beginning, I truly wanted to give up. But I created a schedule, focused on time management and that alleviated that issue.
Next– keeping up with current trends while focusing on a full-time job was also hard. I remember taking a lot of breaks in the first couple of years that I wish I didn’t.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Shantilly Glam Boutique?
Shantilly Glam Boutique is a one-stop shop for all things glam and bougie! We offer unique jewelry and other women’s accessories to compliment any outfit. Our jewelry is carefully selected to make sure we are offering items that are on-trend and of great quality.
I am extremely proud of how far the brand has come in our 4 years of business. I started this business in my living room, no website, no marketing, absolutely nothing. I literally had 20 pieces or less for at least a year. In 2020, I was able to expand to the point that our main fulfillment station is no longer home-based, but runs from a 10×18 storage facility and storefront locations.
I am a jewelry lover, and my customers, aka “The Glam Squad” know they will get unique, stunning basic, and statement pieces from Shantilly Glam Boutique. What sets me apart from others is my hands-on approach. I am very active with my customers, and host several events per year to not only show my appreciation but to also be present when they are picking out new pieces.
I get to know my customers, learn what they like, and I am able to contact them directly when I get new items that match their personal style.
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
I am a country girl. You can’t look at me and tell, but I grew up in a very small town called Bullock, NC. The population when I was born… 1,569.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.shantillyglam.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/shantillyglamboutique
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shantillyglamboutique
Image Credits
Tiana Glover
