Today we’d like to introduce you to Toni Jones.
Toni, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I remember growing up in Ardmore Okla. as a Native American Indian of the Chickasaw Nation Tribe at a very young age wearing my mom’s wigs and loving the idea of playing dress up. That by the age of six my mother had entered me to be in a beauty pageant within our small town. Loosing several teeth and all didn’t change how I felt about myself because I always had the opportunity to JUST BE ME. I went on to win several titles going on to compete at a national level in Oklahoma City. I was so excited because I got to do what I loved the most dress up, and perform. Beauty has always been a passion of mine I would perform for my older brother “CHARLEY” all the time and he was my number one fan. It was not until 2017 and moving to Houston Texas that I decided to birth Charli Angels Beauty I was struggling with depression and wondering outside of my current job that paid the bills what could I do to take my mind off of the pain I was feeling and it wasn’t until one night I had a dream of my brother “CHARLEY” telling me your strong and beautiful and to just let your BEAUTY guide you, and yes you guessed it the name was inspired by my late brother Charley who passed away very young. He is my Angel and still my number one fan. Charli Angels Beauty is currently an online based store. I wanted to start this business because BEAUTY doesn’t mean the same to everyone and no matter if you are a cancer patient who is losing your hair putting on that wig can give you strength back that the cancer tried to take away and yes beauty is not always what’s on the outside but how you feel about yourself is power, if you look good then you feel good and that within itself gives power. No, I am not saying that you have to wear extensions or wigs to be beautiful what I am saying is no matter who you are Beauty is whatever makes you feel good and gives you that power to live your best life!
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
As my mom always said, nothing in life is easy but if you work hard and never give up you will accomplish your goal at the end. This road has definitely not been an easy one, I didn’t grow up with a lot of money but I always had a dream to be a wise woman and strive to leave a legacy and an inheritance for my children. I am a mother of three beautiful girls all from a previous marriage. Working, starting a business and taking care of them is a challenge all within its self. I remember the day I sat them all down and said I wanted to start an online beauty business the look on their faces was priceless they were all excited for me but in the back of their mine they were probably thinking how is she going to do all of that and still have time to be at all of our basketball games and dance recitals. I had no choice but to show them how, by working on my business late nights while they were a sleep, making business calls while sitting in the bleachers watching them play ball as a mother and business women we do what we have to do and no matter what! I was not going to slack on them or my business dreams.
Trust me when I tell you that there is a whole lot of things that I still don’t understand and still learning every day. All the paperwork, and licenses you have to obtain to start a business can give anyone anxiety. What can make that process easy is having other strong women in your circle who have been in your shoes who you can network, collaborate and brainstorm ideas with.
One of my biggest struggles is really getting my business out there in front of more people who trust you and believe in your product. You would think it would be easy with all the social media platforms out there but it becomes a challenge when your business is one of thousands out there that you see while scrolling down your own time line but I am a firm believer that just because someone is selling the same products as you don’t mean you can’t be just as successful. I remember seeing a post that I shared to my business page that was a picture of a grocery store aisle full of different brands of bread and the quote said: “Next time you feel discouraged about your business idea because there’s so many people around doing the same thing go to a grocery store and look down the bread aisle. Same idea 15+ different companies selling the same thing! We all can eat. Don’t doubt your ability to be successful there is room enough out there for us all! One of my favorite scriptures that keeps me going despite the challenges and obstacles I may face is – Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
Charli Angels Beauty ” It’s Your Hair, Your CROWN” is currently an online based store that offers top quality 100% Virgin human hair extensions, closures, clip-ins, fusion tips and wigs in Brazilian, Malaysian, & Vietnamese. Lengths ranging from 12″ to 30″ inches in popular styles straight, loose, deep, & body wave. We also offer our signature S~LAID Edge Control in both clear and black ice, 3D Mink Lashes, T-shirts & more! You can order online or by phone.
Our goal here at Charli Angels Beauty is to provide top quality BEAUTY products to our customers as we continue to grow. We will be opening our first store front soon within the surrounding Houston South Loop Area!
One of my GOALS that I plan to be able to implement soon is being able to offer wigs to anyone suffering from cancer who has lost their hair no matter age or gender. Also partnering with Easter Seals an organization I just learned of through my current job ERG in an effort to give back to help support their mission. I am all about giving back and this one has touch me in a way because my brother “CHARLEY” suffered from the same disabilities that some of these young kids and adults suffer from.
What were you like growing up?
Growing up as I touched on a little earlier, I was just a lil country girl from Ardmore Okla who later moved to Bellwood Il were I graduated from HS and later went on to attend college at Triton College and the University of Phoenix. As a child I enjoyed riding horses, playing dress up and performing for my family. I was very competitive in school I played basketball and ran track. As I got older I realized I had a passion to give back to the community especially to our youth. I started a non-profit organization called GEM (Genuine Elegant Me) Mentor Program for young girls between the ages of 8 – 19 while residing in Illinois.
GEM mentor Program has now been established within Houston TX in connection with C.R.O.W.N.S (Creating Roles of Winners In Society) C.R.O.W.N.S. is a 501(c)(3), non-profit organization that is dedicated to changing the lives of individuals and families in the Houston community through our mission to educate, enrich and empower families. Our vision is to create generational success with everyone we serve. to learn more about GEM Mentor Program and C.R.O.W.N.S visit https://www.gemmentor.org/ & https://www.crownshtx.org/
Pricing:
- Brazillian Hair Extension Starting at $70
- Vietnamese Hair Extension Starting at $75
- Malaysian Hair Extension Starting at $80
- Closures Starting at $100
- Fusion Tips / Clip-Ins Starting at $74
- Edge Control from $9.99 to $14.99
- 3D Mink Lashes $19.99
- T-shirts starting at $19.99
Contact Info:
- Website: www.charliangelsbeauty.com
- Phone: 8329686360
- Email: info@charliangelsbeauty.com
- Instagram: @charli_angels_beauty
- Facebook: @charliangelsbeautybundles
- Twitter: @charli_angelsbb
Image Credit:
J Raphael @jraphaelphotos
The Media Hall @themediahall
Tawana Cox @etcstudios
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