Today we’d like to introduce you to Monique Vasquez.
Hi Monique, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
Hello, my name is Monique Vasquez. I am the owner of My MOJO Boutique, an online boutique located in Pearland, Texas. I am 25 years old and can say that those years have been quite a journey for me. I have lived in Pearland for most of my life, but for some time I was a student at Texas State University. Pursuing a business degree to hopefully one day have my own business was the motive while at Texas State, but financially was not an option. I moved back home to find a local job as a waitress and to transfer to UHCL to still try to obtain a business degree. Unfortunately, it was still not in the books for me, since COVID-19 had caused some more issues.
I started working another job (while still waitressing) at a boutique located in my hometown and absolutely fell in love with it! I have always loved fashion and sharing outfit inspiration with others, so this was my way into learning more about how a boutique operates. Pitching ideas to my bosses, unboxing and packing online orders, modeling the new items and customer interactions made me feel like a mini girl boss! But I finally wanted that feeling for myself, so I launched my small boutique in May 2021, just 8 months ago, and have had the greatest feedback. My life has changed so much in such a short amount of time. I have met so many new friends that also own businesses, who give me advice and a community feel. Also, meeting customers who share their stories or happiness with me when they purchase something from my small business keeps me thriving. I am very grateful and appreciative of my journey and know that there is always growth coming for My MOJO Boutique.
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?
“You have to hit rock bottom to know what being at the top feels like.” I have always said this and in different ways to myself and to those who I see are feeling like they have nothing left to give. I was once one of those people and still face challenges today, but now know that there are always brighter and easier days ahead. I remember starting my small boutique and the support from some of my friends at the time and family diminished in some ways, maybe because I was focusing my entire being into being a better person for myself, as I still am to this day. Saying no to old habits and time wasted on things that did not make me feel like the best version of myself was hard to do and still is.
A great opportunity arose after I shifted from that mindset and made me feel like I made it in the world. Our hometown was having a fashion show to celebrate Hispanic heritage and I was asked to participate. Happy tears streamed from my face for days, but so did the overwhelming ones. So much work and time was put into that show and thankfully it was a success despite a rainstorm hovering over us, models canceling last minute, strict time frames and of course, my doubt getting in the way. Changing my mind about how to be grateful in times like this pushed me through the doubt and made me realize that I was thankful to be asked to participate in such an awesome event and to meet new people who are now friends and connections.
Also, feeling like I had to catch up to others in my circle of family and friends’ lives was breaking me in the past. Since then, I have worked hard to overcome the comparison and learned to value community over competition. Everyone has something different to give, so why not be a part of that?
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am known for being creative and artistic. Since I was a child, I have always loved painting and drawing. Art classes were always my first choice as an elective in school. Now being an adult, I still enjoy creating by pulling out canvases and painting whatever comes to mind or spending a few hours putting a unique makeup look together. I incorporated it into my boutique and have sold some hand-painted pieces, along with designed tees and hand poured candles all made by myself. It is my way of letting something different out into the world, but in my own expression.
I create content alone for my page and show people who need help putting an outfit together or ideas on how to do so, but with a different technique each time. Live sales, detailed longer try-on videos, and funny or genuine short clips help me with expression and others seem to love it. Once people tell me they appreciate my unique content, I smile the hardest every time. People forget you are a person too and not just the face of your business, so I like to remind them that you can still be you and have fun while being you.
I am proud of how much I have grown for myself while owning this business. Lots of time to think about how I used to handle stress, obstacles or negativity from others and how I’ve worked around that. It has changed and I still face some of these challenges, but it has made me a better person with a different viewpoint and focus for the future.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
Focus on your growth and accomplishments, not on what you have not achieved yet. If you want it in your life, work for it. Pursue it with everything if it feels right, not because someone told you to do it. Also, check-in with yourself and your surroundings and kick out any negativity that is in your space. You are powerful, but can be graceful at the same time.
Contact Info:
- Email: mymojoboutiqueinfo@gmail.com
- Website: mymojoboutique.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mymojoboutique/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mymojoboutique/
Image Credits
Gregory Joseph
