you are NOT a loser! You are amazing for going after it PERIODT, You are a rock star ⭐️ thanks for sharing, you are giving me the courage to Just Do It!

The beauty of your story is that you are not afraid to bend. Some of us business owners be out here acting like if we ever have to go back into employment, we've failed. But you have been able to do both at different times, pick up the relevant lessons and move on. Your story is truly inspiring.

I am so happy that your video came across my timeline as your story. Reminds me a lot of mines. I opened my own jewelry boutique before the pandemic started, once into the pandemic my business blew up and I reach over six figures. I was so proud of everything that I achieved, but for some reason I was extremely burnt out and then my father ended up passing away, and I closed my shop for the last two years during those two years I tried so hard to find the passion to reopen, but it still has not come yet. I have returned back to a regular job, where I just feel like I’m also getting burnt out from that. I know what I want to do which is go back to my business one day, but I have no idea when the passion and the energy will come back for me to want to do that I know that God will order my steps and I cannot wait to watch the rest of your journey.

I’m crying right now because I sometimes don’t know what to do next and want to give up and I always get sign. Thank you.

God does have a plan. I left teaching to pursue my small business dream. ITS BEEN HARD! This is my first year running my business and many, MANY times I have thought about going back to teaching. Your video just happen to pop on my feed. Am taking it as a sign from the Lord to stay on my path and not go back to the classroom. He has a plan and it will all work out to his glory. Blessings to you on your journey.

You got this. I totally understand. I closed my wellness storefront this past April. I was moving out survival mood. So I understand every word. God bless you in your journey.

Work life balance is so important for your mental health. You are blessed. Just fine tune what you already know. Put up a nice awning outside, visit other shops for ideas, get some opinions from your loving viewers. The creativity is endless but you have the foundation already set up. Thanks for sharing 🙏🙏

It’s a saturated business Erica. But a good place to sharpen your chops in Business. You’ll take a lot of that with you on your next move. May the Lord Jesus be with you.

I can definitely relate ❤ I did have a store front and closed it due to burn out + the building I was renting was a mess. I closed but in my heart or hearts I knew I needed to be open! Currently looking for new space to bloom I wish I NEVER CLOSED I SHOULD HAVE KEPT GOING!!!! God is good y’all because Now I’m re re opening Soon!!! Looking for a New space! Proud of you SIS blessings to you!

Thank you for your transparency. I too am an educator who has lost my desire, 2 years ago, to teach in a system that seems do be doing more damage than good for many kids. You have confirmed my recent decision to give my business my all, but find support from various sources so I won’t burn out. Thank you so much!!! May God bless you with continued success!!! Btw, I subscribed!!😊

You can bridge the two, teach the kids entrepreneurship, and get into contracting with the school systems. If you're interested let me know.

Sis, you needed a break but more so, you need a YOU break. Self-care needs to be incorporated in your life. Make a schedule for YOU even if it is for 1 hour to start. It's important as we burn out too much and our internal organs/stress levels are overworked from it. Glad i stumbled on your video. Also, the neon dress, fuschia outfit and one of them outfits hanging up in red was all in my business. lol Disrespectful af. lol

Lord middle school..you brave!! I sub sometimes, I went to middle school 2xs and said Nope not doing it. I stick to elementary and high school. I agree its VERY scary the way the kids are these days even the elementary kids, my God! Some classes be so draining due to the kids behavior. These parents...all I can do is smh.

Be proud of yourself and know that God has put you here for a reason. You have inspired more than you know and have brighter days ahead of you 👏🙏

Thank you for sharing this story! I appreciate the transparency. I can learn from this.

Omgoodness! Erica this was soooooo, soooooo, so real, real, reallllll good!! "Girl you are a real live trooper hunny!!" Of allllllllllllllll it has been, and you KEPT (with GOD'S POWER), you KEPT bouncing back! And you KEPT self-evaluating, and you KEPT it REAL with yourself 1st... Regardless of what people thought or said... You decided to make your stand with NOT being good or ok, but you needed something!! Something different or something more, and you set off to find out what it was... And you found it! WOW!! This was just soooooo good and so real!! Girrrrlll... Then the whole school piece.... OmG!! And I know hunny 'cuz I work for the school system too. I see& I hear what you saw & what you heard! But kuddos to you for getting clarity on "what you wasn’t missing & what you were missing! And So GOD BE PRAISED!! This was so real & so good!🙌🏾🙌🏾🙌🏾❤️❤️ Btw, I'm a first time viewer, you just kinda floated up into my feeds sugar.... and I think that GOD purposed it to be so, since I am looking at some business things that are physical products. I have been studying to really understand the "how" of business a good long minute, but today, you just gave me some real "good, practical... how to get in, be in, focus-up and stay businesss-minded! Professional & worthy of your clientele, stick-to-itNess!! BUT to also be very, very intentional about your own human-self/life outside of your business tips!!!"❤ Yulp! I got alll of that out of your video... And babyyy I'm grateful!!! "I saved this video to my library for future reference!!😉 Thank you so, so, sooooo much for sharing all this goodness with thise of us who understood that the value was in the experiences & lessons you shared!!Thank you again sweetheart!🤗❤️🤗 GOD IS GOOD!!!!!🙌🏾🙌🏾

Thanks for sharing. I’ve subscribed. As someone who has always wanted to have a boutique it’s hard finding content around it. The knowledge on the cost and daily operations is info I’m not finding. Knowing how high commercial rents are I wonder how profitable can a store really be. Would be great to hear from an experienced owner like yourself.

I happened to come across your video. I had a women’s boutique in our local mall. I started off with jewelry and evolved into all accessories and clothing. I can relate to the freedom of having the flexibility to attend my child’s school activities but the pressure of having to be there contractually 7 days a week. I didn’t know to include my hours in my contract. After getting really ill from my body shutting down and learning all the things I hadn’t been told that others were granted (like three months free rent upon opening) I started to speak up. I was also in the middle of Covid but I didn’t really have an online presence. I closed down in May 2022. I love the business but I will need to wait until I can get a grant to carry me for the first year or save up to be able to hire help from day one. We will not even get into the demographic disparities of where I was located. I will be moving to a military community soon and I’m confident I’ll do great but I need to build my mental capacity to deal with what comes along with being an entrepreneur. I’m a 1099 IC right now and I have a degree in paralegal studies so I’m weighing my options. It’s difficult to be an employee once you’ve been an entrepreneur. I wish you all the best and will mention you in my prayers. I edited because I just realized you are in Chicago where I was born and raised. I am in Iowa.

Never give up God is working on you every day. Keep the faith ❤🎉

I was in one of your classes at the middle school. I just wanna say that you were a sight to see every day. Glad to see you keeping yourself up to par and doing well.

Following 🎉 you’ve finished what you started with teaching and there’s no questions left so you can move forward 🎉😊

Glad I stumbled across this. My goal is to move from online to in store

Thank you for sharing your story ❤. I need this

You had sooo much on your plate, completely up to you. You pushed through massively more than near any of the highest achievers. Rooting for you 😎💎🌸☀️

This was a dope happy ending story! I know everybody who watched the whole video is very proud of you and motivated in whatever it is their doing! We appreciate you for sharing your story and you just got a new subscriber! Keep going!!

this my first time on the channel so i do not know the whole story. However, this is just a stepping stone to higher achievements in your life. You will be and are ok. You did more than a lot of ppl. Some ppl just talk about things and never do it, but you did. I AM PROUD OF YOU ! Owning and running your own business is NOT EASY, but you did IT!

Thank you soooooo much for this transparent divine message!!!! Needed this!!!! Good bless you on ur NEW ALIGNED CHAPTER 🎉👗🙌🏾🥂

This is my first time ever seeing your videos and when I say God will send you what you need. I have contemplated on closing this year. I'm online only but omg, thank you for sharing. Let me go finish crying. Much success to you. New subbie!

So proud of you Queen just keep living your life and do you that's what people want to see you don't have to do no fancy and editing just do you be you love Auntie Cheryl❤

Take what you learn because you did….and keep moving forward!!!! You got this!!!

Thank you for sharing the hi's and lows of doing business and following your passion. I want to hear more about your Google Ads and influencer partnerships.

Beautiful story,❤ very inspirational. Thanks for sharing.

This was very good video sis. Thanks for your transparency and I wish you have double the success on your next attempt! Don’t give in.

Thank you for the encouragement ❤

Thank you so much for being transparent. I've definitely just subscribed and look forward to more visuals and the shop opening, will support. Keep glowing in your entrepreneurial journey 🤍🤗

Thank you so much for this video and sharing your experiences. I have been at the beginnings of starting my business for 5yrs and this was great inspiration, thank you, thank you!!! p.s. OMG I'm TERRIFIED of middle school kids too! I started subbing and they TRAUMATIZED me!!!

Rise and Fall in every situation

I’m soooo glad I came across your video.. I really needed this..! Thank you..🙏🏾 ❤

YOU STARTED SOMETHING WHICH IS WHAT 98% DONT KNOW HOW OR HAVE THE BALLS TO DO..

That "L" stands for LESSONS. Keep pushing forward with your dreams, don't allow it to fall by the waist-side.

Good to see you still holding on strong

Great story! Be encouraged and I look forward to watching you grow. ❤

Congratulations on your re-opening and stay encouraged

Thank you for the video, I am in process reopen my shop again this September my self

So happy you're back! I have a handcrafted jewelry brand, and this was encouraging. Thank you so much 🖤 Can't wait for the weekly videos

Subscribed to watch you thrive!

I loved this story. I took a step back from my boutique two years ago and it has always been a passion of mine to have a boutique and I did but I felt like I failed at. How every I still haven't lost that drive in me to reopen my boutique. So seeing this video just gave me that drive to really sit in think about reopening my boutique because I feel like I have so much to offer but I really be in my own head sometimes about everything. I enjoyed this video and I can't wait to see more from you new subby here :)

Hi I’m so happy for you 🎉wishing you well you got this sis!!❤ press forward in your dreams!!🎊🎈

THANK YOU for sharing this.... I've been wanting to open a boutique for THE LONGEST... My niche is consignment/resell, but I also want to include some new boutique pieces. My only issue, and I am sure this has held many back, is the capital to get started....any suggestions? Thanks in advance! 😊💛🙏

So glad you’re reopening!

Great video. Thanks for sharing your story.

Congrats and thanks for the motovation

I closed my store most recently for the same issues

❤I like these videos, I wanna start my own boutique and this is every educational. What I want to know is how did you start?

r.i.p to hotrod, but im wondering had he done prior work on the church next door.

i wish you well,

Thanks for sharing, what city are you in?

I actually had the superentdent of school district asking after graduating college asking me that they need black male teachers. I was like Naw I'm good.

You will make it again

FAILED is not a good word............this was merely a lesson, a fail is when you learn nothing.

Yes please me up Dated sis God is Blessing You Hang on there

what do you mean by a new pos system

Great work hope to collaborate with you on KZfaq ❤❤❤Namibia 🇳🇦

Where is the stored located

Oh my what location was this so I know NOT to go 🤦🏽‍♀️

Life teaches you lesson. Keep doing what you want and try as many things as possible. That is what life is about. Best of luck 🫶🏾