Today we’d like to introduce you to Kristen Rogers.
Hi Kristen, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
In 2017, I was homeless. I slept on a friend’s couch in a tiny room with my son. I had always loved shoes and always had the dream to design my own. I had $120 to my name that I planned on trying to save but I came across a shoe supplier who I could purchase bomb shoes from and resell. I prayed about it and knew that I needed to take that huge leap of faith. So I did. I purchased shoes, $120 worth. I posted them on my Facebook page on May 7th, 2017 and within a few hours, I had sold out. I profited $480. I knew then that I was on to something greater than what I could imagine. So I continued to flip what I made and invest.
In 2018, I had the largest fashion show in the Bay Area. It was crazy! That night my website sold out. Within that year, I lost my father and became pregnant. It was a very rough time. To be honest, I gave up everything. It was too much to handle, trying to process how to grieve the loss of my dad who was my motivation when it came to entrepreneurship and within a month becoming pregnant and trying to understand how to juggle the emotions attached to that. It was all devastating. During my downtime, I just focused on myself, who Kristen is. I slowly started to add in some business ideas. During my pregnancy, I started a little girl’s clothing line. I just wanted people to know that I was always going to reinvent myself. Like, I AIN’T GOIN NOWHERE!!! Lol, the feedback from that was great. I continued to take time off for myself and my children. 2020 came and I was like… I’m ready! Like Lil Kim said, “I been gone for a minute now I’m back with the jump off!” LOL, that’s how I felt. I started with something I called The Stiletto Plug. I had hella cute stilettos. From there, I added clothes. Summer 2020 was lit! I made so much money it was crazy. Girls would drive from Reno which is about 6 hours away from me to come shop.
I set up my garage at home like a boutique. You would have thought it was a trap house lol girls were in and out sometimes until 1am lol imagine me pulling up my garage at 11pm, cars pulling up, girls hopping out, garage doors closes and girls are coming out an hour or two later with bags. Lol, I was making so much money I started hiding it from myself. I didn’t quite understand how to legally run a business, so it was the cash for me!! Lol, at the end of December 2020, I decided to change my business name and go legal. I started an LLC and did everything necessary to get my business lit in the real way. New name, Dollhouse Kulture. I want my brand to embrace everything dollhouse related. In my dollhouse as a little girl, we dressed mad cute, we were female hustlers with a lot of streets smart, hair done nails done everything did and we was just bomb! Period! This to me was the Kulture of the Dollhouse. Kulture with a K because of my name, Kristen. The entire vibe of my aesthetic changed. I cater to EVERYONE! From stilettos to sneakers, streetwear to date night, Dollhouse Kulture got you. I would say where I am now, I am very proud of. I went from investing $120 to this month investing $15k in product. God is so good! And I know it’s only up from here.
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?
It has not been a smooth road. Mind you, I started doing this when I was sleeping on a friend’s couch. I had nowhere to store my product but in my car. There were times when I knew for a fact that I was putting in blood, sweat and tears. I used to layout on the floor and just cry and pray. Like God, I wanna get out of this situation. I want my own home. I’m trying to do my best. I’m investing this product and I’m in the lab up late plotting on my next move. But there was a time when people were not buying from me. I would go a week and sometimes two weeks without a sale. It was devastating. Whew! Just the thought of it. The feelings that I felt during those times were like I wasn’t good enough. On top of seeing other girls who were doing the same thing that I was doing but because they showed more skin, they got more attention which caused their business to boom. I was livid. Like for real. How are all of these people “making it” before me?! That was my question until I understood that my lane is different. My story is unique. God had a different plan for me. I focused my attention on that and Gods had me and my business on lock ever since
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I have a women’s and children’s boutique. I specialize in high-quality clothing and accessories. I cater to sizes XS-5XL for adults and girls sizes 2T-12YO. Business-wise I’m known for having great customer service, shoes that you probably can’t find anywhere else and producing high-quality clothing. Personally, I’m known for being a great mom, super funny, somewhat of a feminist lol and being super creative. I’m most proud of how strong I am. I’ve had to acknowledge how far I’ve come and how I’ve held on to my dream regardless of my circumstances. I be like GIRL YOU DID THAT!!!! Period. I’m proud of my sons, D and Kori. They’ve shaped me B and they are the reasons why I go so hard. I want to build this brand and leave it for them and their children to thrive off of. What sets me apart from others? To be honest with you, I’m unsure of that because I’ve kept my focus off of others from the day God told me to get up off the floor from crying and stay in my lane. I don’t know what others are doing. I’m just drinking my water and minding my black-owned business, lol but if anything I could say that my transparency sets me apart from others. I love to encourage people like hey here’s my story. If I can do it, you can do it.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
I love me some April Mason, Ms. All Things Feminine. She’s taught me how to tap into who I am as a woman. To take pride in that woman in me who is gentle, kind, understanding, a good listener but also a beast when it comes to business and family.
Sarah Jakes Roberts, I love her! Daily I’m encouraged by her to embrace my past and receive God’s forgiveness as I evolve into this phenomenal woman who God created me to be and so full of purpose! I love purpose.
This might be really random but I love Kevin Samuels lol he’s not very popular with the ladies. His approach can be nasty but I think that if we go into listening to his podcast without the intent to be offended, then we will learn a lot as it relates to relationships and how we can be better women, 1st for ourselves and 2nd for our men.
I’m always on a black wine who travel blog. Cause I’m tryna go up up and a way all 2022. 2021 is the fun grind. 2022 will be the fun grind from abroad for real.
Pricing:
- My product range from $5-$165
Contact Info:
- Email: dollhousekulture@gmail.com
- Website: www.dollhousekulture.com
- Instagram: @dollhousekulture @__naundi
- Facebook: Dollhouse Kulture
