Today we’d like to introduce you to Shanna Franklin.
Hi Shanna, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Funny thing about growing up we have a list of the career path we want to take before we hit high school. I can tell you that selling adult toys and clothes wasn’t on the list for me (lol). Mine was graduating high school and becoming a lawyer or a dance teacher. At 17 my life changed. I became a mother to my baby girl Ci’Anna. No regrets because she is my world, my strength, and the person who I had to do it all for. After high school of course I did what was expected of kids and as a young mother. Go to college, get a degree and raise my baby girl.
Years later one of my friends Kendra started her own online boutique called Reckless Snob. I shortly partner up with her and we were known as Tha Snobb Dollz. “cute huh” I know (lol). Afterward, I decided I wanted something with my own name and brand. It was just a matter of starting up. Everyone knows Shanna AKA Swann as a friendly bubbly person. Who can and will talk anyone’s ear off and would sell water out of the ocean if I could. I called one of my friends Kendra and was like “Soooo, girl I’m about to start selling adult sex toys and lingerie because it’s not really any adult sex toys in Memphis other than Crystals”.
She was like “Girl yes, that would be a good business for your lil’ freaky butt because you don’t mind sitting and talking to people and I think that would be a great business, to be honest”. I then called my other friend Ebonie and said the exact same thing to her. Her exact words: “Heck yes friend you would make a killing because you are super sweet, you love to talk to people and you have that sexy seductive look, not in a bad way it’s just you have that sexual personality. So boom. I started researching Sex Toy Safety Standards & Regulations then wholesale vendors down to how I wanted my logo to look & color not even having a name of a business, no business plan written out just knew this is what I’m going to do and it’s going to be a banging business. I was over-excited about it. I soon started to brainstorm names. I wanted my business name to not only be a business name but part of me. Something that wouldn’t just be a name but connected to me personally. The first name that came to mind was Swan which is a name I have been using since I’ve been 19 years old, given to me by one of Memphis’s female rappers Lil Chat. Ok, now I have not only my business name but my own brand. I ran the name by an associate of mind and he goes “Why don’t you use Swan and Swans Collections like the Johnson and Johnson?” That would be dope I thought. “Ok girlie, let’s get to ordering,” I said.
I order my first set of inventory in July of 2020, applied for my business license, looked up the pros and cons, and shortly after that I started marketing on Facebook and Instagram and started putting it out there. Now let me introduce you to Swan and Swans Collections. Of course, I used the double name for a month or two and soon went to Swans Collections.
People may look at it as oh it’s just sex toys or it’s just lingerie. Well no I beg the difference. Just going out to a restaurant and role-playing with your mate, setting up a nice suite with your amazing goodies, and the woman putting on a sexy piece of lingerie that alone could just make a man whole day after a long day of work & vice versus with a woman. Having a man to just be in tune with your body and just spice it up a little and show your mate that you are all in and for them. This is a way to bring romance or intimacy into your life or enhance the romance that’s already there.” I have little nicknames for my toys like Rabbit Pearl, Chubby G, and Glass Elegance. (Lol)
“I never in my life thought about selling toys,” “This line of business sort of fell in my lap. But I’m not just selling sex toys. I’m selling romance.”
I had my first party last year and made more per hour now than I did at my old job, although I work fewer hours. I wouldn’t change it if I had to”.
The best part of my business I must say is to hear first-time users and couples talk about how the products they have purchased from me enhanced their sex life. People would say that talking about sex so openly is weird or you should keep it private. I agree to a certain degree. No, we don’t want to hear A-Z but if I can help a couple get back in tune with one another then hey my mission is accomplished.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I must say that it has been a great start-up. Like any business, it has its ups and downs. Having a business anywhere can be super challenging so we as owners have to think of different ways and things to make our business stand out.
In April 2022 Swans Collections was welcome to Crown Tower owned by Brittany Cole and Jason Forte inside Wolfchase Mall. I must say that this has explored my business more so than ever. I have had the opportunity to meet amazing people, versus doing online orders I can actually talk to my customers face to face and give them a chance to chat, give feedback to returning customers, and gives me a chance to interact with my customers. It’s exciting to meet the people who are buying your products rather than just seeing the name and mailing of their products. Having a location has put my business on the market in more ways than I can imagine. I can not thank these two enough.
I would have to say my biggest challenge is the boutique side. It’s so many amazing boutiques in Memphis so it makes it very challenging to make sure that you have what’s in season, pricing is reasonable, and overall that the viewers like your selections.
I continue to strive for greatness and to keep up with the new trends.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
Okay, so the work life of Shanna. I worked a job since I could remember. So two years ago Feb. 2021 I decided to stop working for others and focus more on my own business and brand. I wanted to give my business and brand my whole 100%.
I’m a full-time mom, GlamMa (yes I did say grandma lol), daughter, sister, aunt, cousin, friend, and niece. Family is everything to me. I don’t know what I would do if I wasn’t surrounded by such an amazing, supportive, loving, caring, outgoing family.
My daily routine is basically getting up at 7 am, getting my son off to school, schooling my grandson for 2 1/2 hours a day, cleaning/cooking for my family then to the laptop searching for new inventory and ideas for errands/deliveries.
My day is pretty much in a nutshell.
Daily I’m networking or marketing. I’m honestly the happiest that I have ever been in like forever having my simple little life, growing my business, and having my loving family and friends around. “LIFE IS GRAND”.
Who else deserves credit for your story?
My mother Easter, my daughter Ci’Anna and my loving man are my biggest cheerleaders and supporters. I mean literally whatever I have to do they are right there. From tagging merchandise to doing inventory they are my right hand. So I guess you can say I got four right hands including mine. “How freaking lucky am I?” I honestly don’t know how I could keep a level head without these three. My mom has always taught us that we could do anything we put our hearts and mind to. “Quote/unquote” Just do it like Nike. “Go for what you want baby no matter what anyone has to say. You have to do what is best for Shanna, what works for you and no one else.” It’s been that from the start. I was the child who never cared what anyone thought or said. I did what I wanted to do and my mom was right there.
As long as it wasn’t harming me or others, okay Shanna let’s go. From me wanting to play basketball to softball to majorette to cheerleading. SHE WAS THERE alone with a baby girl.
My loving man, who is super supportive behind it all. He is definitely going to make sure the photo shoot gets done, everything is in place so I don’t have to stress about it. He is the one who is going to keep me calm, and grounded and keep me from overthinking everything to make sure everything runs smoothly. I would say that my business success is owed to multiple people. A few family members and close friends play a part in my success as well. The support is unmatched. I can say they are truly my backbone.
My friends (Kendra and Ebonie) are truly my listening ear. They are amazing. I literally ran ideals by them daily and they never stir me wrong. They are always thinking of new ways that can make my business stand out more or add a little spice.
Errance Davis is the visionary that is always there but never seen. When I say the love and support he gives when it comes to my business is unbelievable. He is the one behind the logo and the amazing rebuilding of my website to shoots and videos. He is definitely the real goat. I must say having him on my team has given my business a more professional look in his words ‘I went on and Sauced you up’. I love everything about his work because he doesn’t hold back.
To my family and friends, I love each and every last one of you for the special role you all play in helping me make my business a success. Without you, all this wouldn’t be possible. My deceased brother Juwan continues to watch over me and push me. Continue to be that little/big brother whisper in my ear “Don’t stop pushing. You got this big sis.” Believe it or not, I feel your presence each and every day.
Pricing:
- Silicone Rose &29.99-$38.99
- Black Swing Restraint $34.99
- Harness with restraints $34.99
- Flurry Cuffs $15.99 Leather handcuff $19.99
- G Point Messenger $15.99
Contact Info:
- Website: Www.swanscollections.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/swans_collections?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/swans’collections/
- Other: www.tiktok.com/@swans_collections
Image Credits
Easter Freeman, The Waist Assassins, and Reckless Snob
