Today we’d like to introduce you to Shaniqua Thomas.
Shaniqua, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
First of all, I would like to start off by thanking you for giving me the opportunity to share some of my story on your platform. Super thrilled! Let’s dive right in!
My name is Shaniqua Thomas. I am the Owner and CEO of Styluz LLC, (more popular known as Styluz Boutique) based in Killeen, Texas. Also, wearing many other hats including, mother of one handsome son, tax professional, mentor, motivational speaker, influencer, content creator, podcaster and artist manager. I was born in North Carolina, but grew up in Killeen, Texas. I started playing basketball at a young age which quickly became my true passion. During my journey of playing AAU basketball while in high school, life hit me very unexpectedly. My baby brother, age six at the time, had passed away. At this moment, I didn’t see life, goals or dreams existing anymore for myself after a such traumatizing tragedy. God made a way for me to push through life with basketball being my coping mechanism. It was during these trying times when I embraced the little steps I’ve taken progressing into miles. I realized I could not ignore losing my brother, or what’s next to come in life. In due time, I actually had to learn to trust the process. I continued playing basketball through college, graduating from Huston-Tillotson University with a bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice and a minor in Computer Forensics. I played semi-professional for a while with the vision of playing at a higher professional level. Despite, also having a passion for fashion, my vision of owning a clothing boutique didn’t truly come into the equation until 2013. My fashionista aroma was already instilled in me. I had incorporated fashion and beauty of some sort into my everyday life. Many of my friends looked up to me when it came to styling, curating pieces together, color coordination, one of ones, and more. Humbly speaking, I was continuously complimented on my sense of style. My love and passion started to grow more while playing semi-professional and eventually, the love to become an entrepreneur and make a difference in many people’s lives, on a personal and professional level outweighed my original dream to pursue major levels of professional basketball. The more I manifested and spoke of having my own boutique, the more my actions started to align with that goal. Aside from the main motivation and inspiration of creating Styluz, my desire was to create a fashion home/safe space where it wasn’t just based on apparel. Fashion is more than what you wear, just as, what you wear is more than fashion. You, yourself, are art, simply a beautiful creation. Styluz is a movement: Our mission is to encourage self-authenticity and confidence in whatever room you are in through fashion.
In honor and memory of my baby brother, BJ, the amazing Styluz was birthed to life in 2013, as an online women’s boutique. Since then has evolved into a unisex boutique, offering other items, including heels, accessories, handbags and additional services and opportunities. Fast forward to where we are today, Styluz is still available online, but will very soon be opening its doors with a re-grand opening to its new location in the city of Killeen. Styluz has presented various other opportunities including hosting women empowerment and community. It’s never just about the clothes. Top priority is the person in the clothes. We have been extremely fortunate and blessed to continually grow our presence, receive lots of recognition, awards, achievements, and support. I’ve built a phenomenal brand that cares deeply and values inclusion, uplift others along their journey, and will continue to breathe life fulfillment and purpose into other lives from around the world.
Connect with me! https://linktr.ee/prettyladyhooper?fbclid=PAAaYIJITond5geLVzi3JHEDE_MFpr4GIzoKc6QN_Eh1vStCO_yKQpKzdbVyk
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
Hahaha, lol. Absolutely not! I don’t believe anything is fully and truly a “smooth road”. We all endure some similar and different obstacles based on who we are, our mindsets, circumstances and experiences. As for me, it was a struggle, in the beginning, to actually get started. I use to believe that I needed to have every single thing in place and together, in order to actually “begin” something. Now, remember, this was in the early stages of me having the idea and wanting to actually pursue the career. I had envisioned of being a boutique owner, but due to a lack of resources, finances, knowledge, mentorship and experience, I was afraid and didn’t know where to begin. As time went on, my passion for truly pursuing my career in the fashion industry continued to grow. Life taught me you could either go and get what you want, or wait for someone to give it or an opportunity to you. In the beginning, my concern was not about actually running a business. More so of laying the foundation and establishing structure. I self-learned everything that I needed to get my feet wet. Once I established having a business, then came the building stage: inventory, management, operations, accounting, etc. I still worked for corporate, while I was establishing my business. I told myself that I already had everything within me that I needed. I just needed to apply myself more. I was not going to allow myself to wait any longer until I had this “perfect vision” to actually start and run my business. I decided to take what I had available to invest, and begin purchasing inventory with only $300. Some more challenges I experienced along the way are not being able to have all the inventory on hand at once that I had wanted to offer my customers, establishing a brick and mortar storefront and implementing strategic plans. Challenges come and go, but they are forever here. I have experienced many challenges along my journey, as I continue to do so. I wear many hats in my business, and as many know, that alone, is very daunting. We aren’t experts in all areas of our business, but many of us try to assume many roles in our business and run our business completely alone. In the beginning stages, that may be okay, but as your business starts to thrive and scale, it becomes more challenging to wear those same hats, especially as your business grows and you gain more knowledge and experience being an entrepreneur. Having access to additional capital funding has been challenging at times. The list of challenges goes on, but I have enjoyed along the way mastering challenges that arise. Risks and challenges are usually worth the fulfilling rewards. Therefore, our focus has to be more on the solution for the challenges, than the challenges themselves. As I always like to say, “Trust the process and truly embrace your journey”!”
We’ve been impressed with Styluz Boutique (Styluz LLC), but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Styluz is a black-owned, luxury unisex boutique based out of Texas. Originally, our main focus was exclusively women’s apparel. But we have expanded, and now we are an all-in-one boutique offering both women’s and men’s apparel, shoes, accessories, business resources and more.
Currently, you can only shop online, until the amazing return and re grand opening of our new storefront location in Killeen, Texas. We offer local in-store/curbside pick-up, select local delivery, and shipping. We have convenient, flexible payment methods such as Afterpay, PayPal and buy now later options such as Afterpay, Sezzle, Split iT
As a brand, we strive to provide the best possible plethora of pieces for customers to find what works best for them based on budget, colors, designs, styles and personality. Our pieces are carefully sourced because quality, comfort and sustainability is high priority and extremely important to us, as we hope it is to you! Whether you want to dress up in unique, high-end pieces or, dress down in more affordable, casual, stylish pieces, either way, we assure to have you taken care of! You name the occasion – work day? dinner? birthday? date? brunch?, it doesn’t matter your age/profession. We’ve got the right pieces to correlate with your lifestyle.
Styluz specializes in curating unique and diverse pieces of all sizes and offering our customers an amazing shopping experience with additional services including personal styling & advice, custom designs, on-the-go/mobile shopping, creative direction. Remember, fashion is not solely based on what we wear, and what we wear is not solely based on fashion.
Our vision is to inspire and motivate you to feel or regain your confidence, try new things, and be true to yourself by expressing the best version you can be.
What sets Styluz apart from other boutiques is the assortment of merchandise, and the personalized, shopping experience we provide to our customers including being attentive to detail and the admirably-tailored outfits. Every customer’s needs and desires are different. We bring you uniqueness, flavor and personality to the boutique that cannot be duplicated anywhere else. I do not enjoy shopping with a brand where it feels the only main objective is actually making a sale. I wanted to build a brand where the product wasn’t more powerful than the experience itself. The overall experience should include a good product, but it doesn’t stop there. Nowadays, you shop with brands, and there is no personalization, or meaningful or excellent experience. It tends to be mediocre. I wanted my customers and their satisfaction to matter and be just as valuable as the product(s) they purchase. What else sets us apart from other boutiques is our mission to be more than a brand, but a lifestyle movement. We care about and value each and every single one of our customers. The fashion is just a piece of the pie. We go through life, at different times, feeling like we have a huge weight on our shoulders, being stuck, wanting to give in, and other challenges we experience along our personal and professional journeys. Styluz also serves as an outlet for people to be reminded through a loving and supporting apparel and accessories boutique that whatever it is that you desire and want you can really achieve by showing up as your best self on the outside just as much as the inside.
We are beyond blessed and grateful to still be existent and constantly evolving. I am most proud of how far Styluz has come because all of the work that has been put in this far. I was determined to learn, apply and execute on all aspects of my brand, despite the lack of assistance, finances, support or mentorship. It has definitely been a roller coaster, but I have truly enjoyed and endured every part of my journey. Styluz has grown to be loved, supported and well-recognized in the community. I know my baby brother is looking down from heaven super proud, smiling and rooting for me. Check us out! Over here at Styluz, we welcome you with open arms. Thank you for allowing us to share our purpose, that ultimately, has been the most fulfilling! The sky is not the limit. You are, so as we do, keep reaching and thriving.
Styluz was recently voted the “Best Clothing Store” in Central Texas for 2022 by Killeen Daily Herald. We will be featured in the winners’ magazine that publishes on December 18th. Sign up for our free VIP text alerts by texting Styluz to 29071 to stay connected with us. You don’t want to miss the Re-grand opening announcement, exclusive updates and discounts. Stay tuned, and don’t forget to connect with us. Glow with Styluz!
Are there any books, apps, podcasts or blogs that help you do your best?
Whew, lol. Yes, I have like over 40 apps on my device, beneficial ones, of course. Let me just say, one of my favorite apps, aside from social media apps, is google. That’s one of your best friends. You don’t EVER wait on anybody to get started, build or apply yourself. It’s convenient and accessible for you to do your best in life by obtaining knowledge, resources and information. Branding is very critical to your business. Canva is another great app to use. It helps with visuals, documents, presentations, etc. It’s very user-friendly and useful in both your personal and business lives. Recently, I got into podcasts and I am so saddened I didn’t start early. Of course, you have to make sure you select podcasts that align with your values, beliefs and who you are. Tuning in to the right podcasts will have you gaining so much knowledge, and showing you different perspectives of life. I became so inspired and knew I had a lot to offer. I launched my very own podcast: Let Shaniqua Tell It Podcast. We would be here forever if we went more into detail about the other resources. I just wanted to share a few things that I get involved in, by choice that has been and continues to be helpful in my everyday life. I am always seeking to add to my arsenal. That’s where the best version of you develops.
Pricing:
- Our pricing varies; Our items are generally priced as low as $5 – $100
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.shopstyluz.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shopstyluz | https://www.instagram.com/prettylady_hooper
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/styluzboutique
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrqn_m2UOkyIgb1Dw4o-z9w
Image Credits
Jay L Photography
IYF Peezy
