Today we’d like to introduce you to Shanté Lawson.
Shanté, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
What I’ve found to be intriguing are the stories I often read about of like-minded individuals like myself who had a vision for a start-up company who are now flourishing entrepreneurs. Many of the stories described entrepreneurs who began with something abstract, limited resources and yet their business evolved into a thriving startup company.
I often hear about the success of online businesses with rapid growth rates because of its ability to organically grow clientele. We have developers of iconic social media platforms and apps to thank for not giving up on their dreams. I thought to myself there is an opportunity in the digital world especially if you have an immense community with a certain interest. I’ve always had an entrepreneur spirit. Although, I had high hopes and aspirations to climb up the corporate ladder into a lead management role at this point in my life; my career had not quite worked out yet for me.
I believe we can accomplish meaningful milestones and gain a sense of fulfillment if we do something we enjoy in life. Example: I consider myself as a health enthusiast. I’ve always enjoyed working in the healthcare field. However, in many of my front line roles, my ideas were tossed out or overshadowed by the directives of someone else. I knew it was time to step out on this new endeavor after a co-worker was given praise for my ideas. Advertising and Marketing allows me to be creative. I am free to have a creative mind to visualize fresh ideas with an aesthetic appeal that pops or write a creative caption that grabs the attention of consumers. I enjoy planning events, designing flyers, and promoting a product(s).
During this process of establishing a business, I realized how challenging and competitive it is for so many others with a dream. I knew I wanted to add value to businesses by helping to save those advertising dollars which is essentially how I came up with Enriched Suites. I can think of a number of times when I was in need of a service and I could not remember who posted what online or where I saw the post. I wound up doing a random search and sometimes I had to make a couple of calls to find a contractor before I was comfortable with making a decision. I decided to include promotional products for businesses to print their business name, website and contact information on household goods or office supplies. Promotional products can potentially offer immeasurable ad impressions.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
I’ve encountered many obstacles along the way. I must admit the struggle is what inspired me to get going with the planning stages. The opportunity to utilize my gifts freely to showcase my talent had not come as I expected and I was ready to give up and settle for mediocrity. Of course, the amount of money needed to jump-start my business was a huge challenge.
I sacrificed and altered my lifestyle. This is where it gets interesting; I avoided the mall to keep from spending money on clothes and shoes. I declined invitations to hang out on the weekends. I had to postpone some of my business plans if cost was associated with making any kind of progress.
I admit I almost became distracted by the naysayers. One day I decided to purposely look at commercial properties in the community. I looked at every store front and office space with a logo and business name above the entrance. I thought to myself someone with a vision is behind each business. How impossible is this to achieve when there are others who have done it and are in business?
I changed my perspecpective and made the audacious decision to allow my circumstances to usher in a new beginning and preface the start of Enriched Suites.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Enriched Suites – what should we know?
Enriched Suites offers an array of marketing solutions for your marketing campaign.
I’ve planned speaking engagements and events for small businesses. I’ve designed marketing material and flyers for events for my clients. I’ve managed social media pages for clients, as well. But there is another business segment which is the distribution of promotional merchandise for businesses. The store is online and my goal is to establish the relationship with local business and obtain authorization from clients to print logos, company name or website address onto a product.
The products are office essentials such as supplies, journals, padfolios, lunch kits, that are commonly used to conduct business. Embroidered tote, duffel and computer bags are some items offered online. Enriched Suites offers customized floor mats, trade show and pop up shop products such as retractable signs and customized table cloths.
A Promotional product in my opinion as a small business owner is affordable advertising for start-up companies or large corporations. As a customer, I enjoy the giveaways from a trade show or freebies after a visit to a spa or make-up studio. I’’m likely going to remember the gift and service. A business owner should think about the potential exposure and ad impressions from a customized travel bag, sticky note pads or a pen.
I like to think we offer solutions and not necessarily sell promotional products because being an entrepreneur we manage all aspects of our business. It can be challenging and exhausting at times. Allow your marketing efforts to penetrate the local community and multiple markets with promotional products.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
My faith in God. Prayer is necessary and part of the daily operation. I was inspired through the reading of Scripture as I named my business Enriched Suites.
SCORE is also very resourceful. I’ve received several emails and held a couple of conference calls with the volunteers of SCORE. I must admit I now want to serve in such capacity and use my experience to help aspiring entrepreneurs see their dreams become a reality.
The advice I receive from experts at the Business Ministry where I attend church deserves recognition. I attend the ministry once a month or as often as I can to literally absorb the knowledge and information shared at the meetings.
I learned quite a bit from my mother, Beverley. Class was in session while working in her jewelry store, Finer Details. I also helped to assemble the displays and dressed the manikin for the grand opening of a Greek store.
My family is my support system. I have a twin brother name Shawn and fashion queen for a sister. Her name is Deana.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.enrichedsuites.com
- Phone: 832-264-8364
- Email: customerservice@enrichedsuites.com
- Instagram: @enriched_suites
Image Credit:
Sean Jackman
Getting in touch: VoyageHouston is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
