Today we’d like to introduce you to Safiya Francis.
Hi Safiya, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
When I started this business almost 11 years ago as a single mother of five kids, two of each were twins that were born with chronic severe asthma, fluid in the ears causing speech impairment in the first development years, they were coping with a lot of lung and breathing issues and daily would do my best as a mother the school was calling me often to pick them back up from school they were too sick, I was literally getting written up daily at memorial hospital where I worked after 10 years of service as a nurse there because I had to leave early, come in late to deal with my sick boys medical issues, I feared losing my job and vented this to my best friend at the time, saying I have to do something for myself so I am able to take care of my children, work my own hours with no fear of being fired due to my kids illness, I was also going through so much more a recent divorce from my children’s father that was dragging me in and out of court battling for my kids, having little not much left in my savings dealing with life blows but one thing I always had was a good prayer life and strong faith and I knew I needed more better, so one day with the decision and leap of faith I decided to just try. I sat on my best friend Keino living room chair with him and vented that I can no longer work for someone with all the stress in my life I needed to create my own he said what do you like to do, I said I always loved unique shoes, so we googled how to start a shoe store, in all honesty that’s how safiyashoetique idea got started and with my growing up with my mother that was fashion lover herself I had the best teacher and example, of course having no other business person in my life to lead me, Keino and I followed Google, we learned every drop on our own and daily we worked hard at building, google did lead us in wrong places lol but we were redirected from the wrong parts on how to get started and with only $1000 in my savings I found a little spot hidden in Davie Blvd for the first location and the owners worked with me and I was able to open my own business, and with blood sweat and hard work and faith safiyashoetique was born.
I did not want to be a boutique like every other so I named it safiyashoetique this was 11 years ago since then, I married my best friend Keino and we have expanded into clothing, accessories, handbags, hats and more and we have used our business to do community work by feeding the homeless yearly, we have done 15 fashion shows introducing our business to the world while supporting showcasing local artists, talents, models in the fashion industry, we now teach business seminars on how to start your own business as well as we have slowly but surely become a household name in South Florida for fashion. My husband and I literally started from scratch to now 11 plus in business a wide array of clients whom are now like family, we now have a sister company called @fiyalashesandcosmetics providing wigs, makeup, unique lashes as well as our own talk show on YouTube showcasing local businesses and Artists as well as I have written two books a third on the way and proudly we recently launched our publishing company @safiyashoetique_publishing were we publish books and provide Ghostwriting services for upcoming authors, we still have a lot let to accomplish as business owners but with God, our story will continue its journey while inspiring others.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Definitely NOT, ALOT OF BUMPY POTHOLES. From getting inventory without business capital to learning how to market and promote the business without money for a big advertising platform reach. When we started safiyashoetique 11 years ago, there was no Instagram and Facebook and Twitter was just getting started so my partner and I literally dressed up in shoes and clothing from safiyashoetique went to every event locally to pass out store fliers and were walking ambassadors to just get clients in the store… biggest obstacles was financially trying to get everything the store needed and providing for and raising five kids while building a lucrative business. I must say the struggle was real.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
safiyashoetique business is a one stop fashion house for eclectic fashion for men and women with a unique love for rare tastes in fashion, when shoppers shop safiyashoetique boutique they immediately get paired with an experienced stylist to guide them in selecting the perfect look for their event, occasion or their fashion needs. AS one of the main stylists in our shoetique, I specialize in curating and bringing out that inner fashion person stuck within, with each client I transform their looks but my main goal is to make sure they not only look good but feel great, I am known for my styling magic taking people out of their norm looks and transforming even their confidence and upgrading their wardrobes, my clients become addictive to safiyashoetique fashions and I love the transformations from inside out. What sets me apart from other boutiques is We literally do this for the love of fashion, we are really passionate about making people feel good and look good, we love what we do and it shows in our business. With safiyashoetique brand, I am super proud of our philanthropy work in the community we live in, super proud of all our nonprofit work, our family business does charity back to school drives, we have been gifting the homeless over eight years, we have had many pop up shops allowing other small businesses to sell products at our business, we have a women empowerment club the last seven years @safiyashoetiquewwc in which through a vision from God I lead by example through my ministry, marriage and fashion providing encouragement, upliftment, prayers daily for this group of women. I want the readers to know that safiyashoetique company is a family-owned company that God is the CEO of meaning we treat you with the love of God when you shop with us or book us to style you, any one of our services, you will be treated like family royalty.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
In networking in general, if your an entrepreneur new or existing networking is important, mix and mingle with like-minded people in your industry, for me I pass out ten fliers per day no matter where I go, from the nail shop to the gas station. I network by still participating in other business mixers, pop-up shop I attend events around me to network introduce my business everywhere. Find somebody in your industry that has gained success and is where you want to be in your business and align yourself with them, learn from them, be willing to learn and take constructive criticism. Networking has worked well for me in safiyashoetique business.
Contact Info:
- Email: SAFIYASHOETIQUE@GMAIL.COM
- Website: https://www.safiyashoetique.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/safiya_shoetique
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/safiya.shoetique
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/safiyashoetique
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCije8MeGpMdMR4X5Lmewmcw/videos
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/safiyashoetique
Image Credits
Credits to Venum photography seetdeh.com
