Today we’d like to introduce you to Danyetta Joy.
Hi Danyetta, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I started Vanity A six years ago with a dollar and a dream. And I mean that literally. Lol. I was at my lowest. I had no job. No car. & I was using my weekly unemployment checks of $275 to buy inventory, which was some bomber jackets. I had those bad boys in every color & was happy about it too. I had no website so I told people to email me for purchase lol My first year of business was really high and then it seemed like after that reality kicked in. Every year in business after that became a rollercoaster.
Up then down. Up then down. I used to take so many breaks because I would be so discouraged. I couldn’t understand why my dream, my baby, wasn’t as successful as I knew it should be. In 2021, I honestly had decided to put Vanity A on the back burner and focus and my Husband and I hair business Fly Girls Extensions. I even made a public statement. But the thing about your passion. Your purpose. When it’s real it won’t let you quit. The beast (hustle) inside of you stays hungry. So I prayed on it and I started getting answered through the ones closest to me. My husband always told me to keep going, don’t give up. Can’t leave out my mom & dad. Daughter. Brothers. They pushed me constantly. Reassured me I got it. Friends.
Whew, they were always messaging me. Asking when I’m bringing Vanity A back lol & I have a cousin who is more like my sister who always reminded me that this is my purpose. So you see, I couldn’t quit. They wouldn’t let me. They literally all were pushing me. That’s why the people you surround yourself with are important. So boom, I was like ok let me try this one more time. I decided if I’m going to truly do this it has to really reflect me. No more selling clothes just because I know they will sell. Or carrying certain items cause they’re a reasonable price. I’m extra. I love nice quality things.
No matter the price. So I rebranded as a Luxury Boutique. I started outsourcing duties in my business cause truthfully you can’t do everything alone. Hired my cousin Visions By MB as my photographer. Hired a graphic designer Tina Shanee. Found an MUA Jazzy B. My friend Lesha B of The Beehive Hair Studio is my hairstylist. My mom drops all of the orders off & makes sure each one is scanned. My team is actually still growing. And then I had to let my customers know yesterday’s price is not today’s price. & trust me that was scary. But I prayed my loyal customers would remain.
So I relaunched it in October with a new look. New prices. And my mind has been blown since. I went viral on FB. TikTok, and IG. So not only did my loyal customers remain but I also gained sooooo much more. Beyond what I expected. So in the words of Nipsey, “I went through every emotion possible but I didn’t give up….” & I truly have those closest to me to thank for being in this spot and I can’t wait until the day I pay them back.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Absolutely not lol When I started I knew nothing & I still don’t know everything. But not having guidance made those struggles worse which is why I always help when I can when an aspiring boutique owner contacts me. Business taxes were my biggest downfall lol simply because they weren’t filed properly the first time.
I quickly learned not to let everybody file your taxes. Also, using influencers. Most were an absolute fail. I wasted a lot of money and lost plenty of inventory. I did use one micro-influencer and she really helped my business. But I’ve learned I am an influencer when it comes to my business. I sell my product better than anyone else ever could. Another struggle was being consistent. When I got discouraged I’d stop. See the thing about business is one week you’re up.
Next, you’re down. I didn’t like that lol especially when those downs were back to back at one point. But now I’ve accepted that’s all a part of the game so I keep rolling. Finding vendors was a struggle too. You talking about money lost. Sheesh. I have cried many days over vendor issues and I’m sure I have more days to cry lol it’s all a part of the business. But I have found some great ones compared to what I originally started with.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I’m a luxury boutique owner. I specialize in fashion. I’m most known for my style. What sets me apart from most is I don’t sell clothes, I sell looks. Which is another reason I think my business has created the buzz it has in the last few months. I’m most proud of myself. For never giving up.
Do you have any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
So when I was 4 my father, who is currently in jail, took me to the store and said I could get anything I wanted. I picked out Big Bird and Ernie. I felt like a Princess because those dolls were high. I was so happy. The funny thing is I kept them until I was in high school.
Contact Info:
- Email: vaingang@vanitya.com
- Website: www.vanitya.com
- Instagram: Instagram.com/_vaingang
- Facebook: Danyetta Joy
Image Credits
Visions By MB (Maya Brown)
