Today we’d like to introduce you to Candice Alexander.
Hi Candice, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your background
My name is Candice Alexander and I’m the owner and creator of Ear-Resistible Buttons (a.k.a The Button Boss). I am a native Houstonian and the youngest of three girls, raised by Louisianan parents. I come from an educated, hard-working family. Getting an education and striving to be something in life was inevitable. I was always taught to go to school and get a good job. My parents are Grambling State University grads, and my sisters and I are Prairie View A&M University grads. (PV, YOU KNOW!). We are a proud HBCU family!
My path towards entrepreneurship was not a very clear path. Most of my life, I grew up wanting to be a teacher because of my love for children and hands-on projects. My mother is a retired kindergarten teacher, so I grew up wanting to do what she did because she made it look so fun and easy. Little did I know I would soon find out I was wrong! LOL, I followed that path and obtained a bachelor’s and master’s degree in education from PVAMU in 2010/2013. I taught elementary and middle school in various districts in the Houston area from 2011-2017. Fast forward and boom! I’m a whole adult with a whole career, and I was EXTREMELY unhappy! I didn’t want to teach anymore, but I honestly had no idea what to do with my life. I knew that I wanted to still work in the service industry, so my interest peaked in healthcare. I took a leap of faith and I left education and I attended Texas Woman’s University and obtained a master’s degree in Healthcare Administration in 2019.
Currently, I work full-time in Houston’s Medical Center as an administrator at Baylor College of Medicine/TCH. I truly enjoy what I do now, but anyone that knows me knows that I am a very crafty person, and that’s where my passion lies. Anything that I can do myself, I find a way to do it. This includes home projects, hair, nails, you name it! YouTube is my best friend! LOL
A couple of years ago, a spark came to my mind, and I kept telling myself that I wanted a hands-on business and I wanted to make something that would make me feel fulfilled. I felt as if there was a part of me that was untapped, and I hadn’t explored my true potential. Fun fact: 3 things I never leave the house without wearing are eyebrows, eyeliner, and EARRINGS! I’m such a girly girl and I love all things fashionable. I ran the idea of making earrings by my friends and family, and I received such positive feedback that I just decided to jump all in. I created my own logo, website, packaging, everything! I just told myself to go for it, and the rest is history. I launched Ear-Resistible Buttons at the end of 2019, and it’s been uphill from there. The premise of my business is that everything is made from buttons. My line of jewelry started with just studs and I have expanded to drop and dangle earrings, as well as necklaces and bracelets. I also make clip-on as well. I love bold and bright colors, so you will see that throughout my line.
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?
Getting to where I am now, I’ve definitely had some bumps in the road. I’m so blessed that I have such a strong support system around me. I did go through a phase where I felt like I went through a slight identity crisis. It may sound weird, but I associated my identity with my career. So when my career in education ended, I was left wondering, well, who am I now? The older I get, I’m learning that I can be a multitude of things. I still identify as a teacher because I will always have a passion for education and learning, but now I’m also a healthcare administrator and a business owner. I am someone who loves to keep growing and elevating myself. I’ve also dealt with self-doubt and fear. Whenever creating something new, there’s always that fear that people may not like it. When my customers love my products, it really makes my day. I love helping people and creating something that makes others happy.
As you know, we’re big fans of Ear-Resistible Buttons. For our readers who might not be as familiar, what can you tell them about the brand?
Ear-Resistible Buttons is handmade jewelry business. I create a variety of earring styles crafted from fabric-covered buttons. My line of products includes different sizes of studs and an assortment of drop-and-dangle earrings. This includes tassels, hand-painted wooden pieces, and metal pieces. I offer pierced-post and clip-on earrings. My line also includes statement necklaces, pendant necklaces, and bracelets. My products are “Creatively Crafted” and offer a pop of fashion and accessorizing to any outfit.
Is there a quality that you most attribute to your success?
I believe that perseverance is the most important quality to my success. Being a business owner, you quickly learn that everything does not always go your way. I continue to keep pushing and keep creating until I’ve reached success. I push myself to keep going even when I may not feel like it. I put in hours not only creating my products but researching marketing and branding, taking product photos, researching seller platforms and SEO marketing tactics. A lot goes into my business behind the scenes and as a one-woman show, I believe perseverance is what keeps me going. 🙂
Pricing:
- Small Studs $8+
- Large Studs $12+
- Drop & Dangle $15+
- Jewelry Sets $30+
Contact Info:
- Email: sales@earresistiblebuttons.com
- Website: https://earresistiblebuttons.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/earresistiblebuttons/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/earresistiblebuttons
Image Credits
Britni Brobey Candice Alexander
