A SPECIAL ADVERTISING SECTION CHAMPIONING OUR LOCAL WOMEN IN BUSINESS. PHOTOGRAPY BY JESSICA WHITLEY.

Daemarii’s Unique Boutique
Owner
2384 Ingleside Ave., Macon
478-746-0935
VSHARP46@gmail.com

WHAT IS THE MISSION OF YOUR BUSINESS AND HOW HAS THAT SHIFTED WITH THE PANDEMIC?
Our mission is to motivate, encourage and inspire women to be the best they can be every day! Given the mandate and store closure, I transitioned business from brick-and-mortar to social media and hosted Facebook Live fashion shows every Friday.

YOU MIGHT BE SURPRISED TO KNOW:My having fun from my live themed fashion shows recently landed me on “The Kelly Clarkson Show” (October 2020) and articles written by CNN, Good News Network, sharecare.com (a Dr. Mehmet Oz company) and the Telegraph newspaper. I’m U.S. Chamber of Commerce grant winner, a member of the Coalition to Back Black Business and have had a recent Zoom conference with Kevin O’ Leary aka Mr. Wonderful of CNBC’s “SharkTank.”

HOW DO YOU DEFINE SUCCESS?
Success is not defined by the amount of money you make or the money you have in the bank, but more so about how you make others feel. It’s also about how far you have come from where you started.

I ADMIRE WOMEN WHO:Are comfortable in their own skin, and women who are not afraid to express their fashion style – no matter the environment.

Your advice for women wanting to start their own business in Macon?
Seek assistance and advice from SBA program, which is available to those looking to open or start a small business. Follow your passion and dreams.Go for it!

What are you most excited about right now in our community?
The way everyone has pitched in to help make our community stronger as we move through this unprecedented time.

What is the most gratifying part of your job?
Helping women become more confident within themselves, and unveiling the inner and outer beauty of all women.

What has been the most challenging part of being a female business owner?
Getting the funding I need to assist my business, and finding mentors for female entrepreneurs.

What was the best business advice you ever received?
You can’t always do what others do if you want to do what others don’t.

I hope more women will: Follow their dreams – no matter how long it takes or hard it may seem.

How can women better support each other?
Women can offer encouraging advice to one another. Share business advice and best practices with like business owners to help keep them motivated.

How can men better support women business owners?
By listening to the needs of the women business owners and allowing for opportunities to assist in whatever area needed.

Looking back, I wish I had known:About SBA’s program available to the community prior to opening my business.