Entrepreneurial Elevation: Inspiring Stories with Boss Chic Body and She'Rae Boutique

In this episode of the Woman's Hustle, we're diving right into the captivating journeys of two phenomenal female entrepreneurs as they share their thrills and spills and who are redefining what it means to be a BOSS CHIC.

Joining us is Meltara, the mastermind behind Boss Chic_ Body — a body sculpting sanctuary that began in her home and now stands proudly as a storefront. And alongside her, we have the fashion-forward Rachael, the creator of She’Rae Boutique and its sibling brand, He'Ray —both  crafted from her passion for personal style.

These inspiring women will share the thrilling highs of seeing their visions come to life and the importance of mentorship, manifestation, and surrounding themselves with a supportive community.

So, make sure your AirPods are charged, your Bluetooth is connected and you are SUBSCRIBED to the channel,  because you won't want to miss a beat of this enlightening discussion on 'The Woman's Hustle: Thrills and Spills of Entrepreneurship. 

Follow These amazing queens on social media! 

Boss Chic_Body - FB: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61550097376084
IG: https://www.instagram.com/bosschic_body/
She'Rae Boutique: FB: https://www.facebook.com/SheRaeBoutique
Online Store: https://www.thesheraeboutique.com/

03:22 - Starting a Business and Getting Support
06:11 - Starting a Boutique and Overcoming Challenges
09:39 - Benefits of Brick-and-Mortar Stores
15:27 - Thrills of Entrepreneurship
23:05 - Tips for Success
27:56 - Closing Remarks and Contact Information

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Transcript

Coach Kay Wds (00:00.078)
Welcome back to The Woman's Hustle, Thrills and Spills of Entrepreneurship. It is your girl, Coach Kay Wds. And I appreciate y 'all so much for tuning in. You see, I am in person here with the woman's hustle and I'm super excited. I have two amazing guests with me here today. I'm going to allow them the honors of introducing themselves and I will go with this young lady right here first. Hello, hello. All right. Hi, I'm Mel Tara. Yeah, and we have.

Rachel, aka She'Rae. Hey, period. We're gonna get right into it. Y 'all know this is the Thrills and Spills of Entrepreneurship. So you know, they are both women entrepreneurs. So let me give a quick shout out to them. They are doing they thing. Super excited to chat with them a little bit more. So we're gonna go ahead and dive right in. All right. Meltara, baby, so tell us what is your business, boo?

So I'm the owner of Boss Chic Body. I have a body sculpting business where I do body sculpting as well as some other different services. It is all aimed towards self care and then also collaborating and doing it, opening with a boutique. So I'm gonna go ahead and introduce her. Absolutely, we gonna roll right into She -Rae, baby. Well, yes, I have a boutique called She -Rae Boutique.

And I also have a soft men's line called He'Rae Boutique. Yeah, and it basically started from me just wanting to have my own style, have my own flair. I'm the youngest of nine children and I always used to wear like my siblings hand -me -down. And I'm like, oh my gosh, I want my own style. When I got older and I got to branch out and do my own thing, it took off. Like basically took off, fashion took off for me. And it just made me feel like,

When you look good, you feel good. And that's a fact. That is a fact. I absolutely love it. Mel Tara, tell us a little bit about your backstory. So my backstory, how I got into Boss Chick body or just creating and wanting to be an entrepreneur. Just at first, my whole drive was to gain the knowledge of getting the LLC first, getting things started, all the legalities.

Coach Kay Wds (02:14.958)
When I started my business, it was just the mindset to want to have some additional income, just try to have something or some sort of hustle. Me getting into the body sculpting, I definitely wanted to do something where I felt like, you know, it wasn't something that a lot of everybody else was doing, you know, just something different.

I also found out that I was really good at it. All the vibes I was creating, people was just like, you know, you're on to something. And then, you know, it just branched off from starting my business in my home. Within six months, I was able to get, you know, a storefront location to expand and.

That's kind of the gist of how it started. I love that. Listen, that is just so like amazing. Like you hear the vision, you know what I'm saying? And I think as entrepreneurs, a lot of times we tend to just want to jump into stuff. Right. So you hear her how she said, like she thought about it. You know, she got her LLC and she, you know, she worried about the, she focused on the legalities first, you know, and a lot of times we just jump into things. You know what I'm saying? When did you actually make it official?

So I made it official for my LLC. I want to say it was like August of 20. So it's a little over a year now. So it's been August of, was that 2022 then? It's possible, yeah. We're in 24 now. Yeah. So I've had my business just a little over a year now. I started with Score Peoria of having a mentor. Yes. Yes. Because I -

I was one of those people who actually I met you a couple years before and I came over here. Can you tell me what SCORE is? Sorry. Oh, yeah. I'm sorry. So SCORE is a program that's offered through the Small Business Administration. They basically will assign you a free mentor to kind of talk to you about.

Coach Kay Wds (04:10.222)
business goals and things like that. My mentor actually helped me with like financials a little bit, kind of helped me with like the client to money ratio, you know what I'm saying? Like now they don't do it for you, but they help you. Absolutely. And I do think they have them.

All over they do peoria cuz I mine actually is out of Chicago. I don't know they do have them So just make sure that either myself or Mel Tarr give you that information So but yeah, I think that that is amazing that you took advantage of those resources, you know what I'm saying? Yeah, and I remember when I came and seen you when I came

I kind of had a whole bunch of different things I wanted to do. You And I was - Hey, that's - Couldn't figure it out. That's the entrepreneur mindset. I was telling her that. Yeah. You do one thing, then you want to do another. Yeah. It is. So just start out with that and that's Finding your vision, finding your purpose. I do remember the conversation, because you came in here one day and I was like, your face looked so familiar. And then you was like, I came here. And I was like, you did. I got all excited and stuff because I just see your growth.

You know what I'm saying? And I think that that is amazing because a lot of times, and especially the pandemic, we had a lot of people that started businesses during the pandemic at the beginning. Me too. You know what saying? But then I also have seen where a lot of them are no longer in existence, you know, for whatever else. What's your experience with that as a pandemic business starter? Yes, I started in 2020 and I didn't have any like, anyone to like help me get started or anything like that. I did my own research, like the YouTube and...

any kind of like social media platforms. And I started because I used to get a lot of compliments from people saying like, ooh, I love what you have on. Where did you get that from? And after so many confirmations, I felt like I can have my own boutique and I could just tell them like, well, this came from me. So I started off by figuring out like the name, like what name did I want to do? Because I felt like that has to be catchy. Like it has to be something that's not too long, but also something that's catchy. Right.

Coach Kay Wds (06:11.342)
So it was like my name and my husband's name combined together, which his name is Sherez and I'm Rachel. So Sheree was born and we want to have a daughter and one day her name is going to be Sheree. So she will be, you know, she'll be able to take that on. That's what y 'all call vision. You know what I'm saying? I just manifested it. But I'm not going to lie. So I wasn't, so it was in 2020 and after I, it was before COVID actually the outbreak started, but it was like, like in the beginning of it.

Then after I lunch and had my storefront, then COVID happened. So in the beginning, it was like, I was getting a lot of customers. It was booming, it was thriving, but then COVID happened and it like, slowed down. It shut everything down. It really did. And I ended up having to not close my business, but close my storefront and then just do all online. And that still did good. Like that still did good online. So I was like, I'm never gonna stop, never gonna give up. I'm just gonna keep going. And I still have it now.

I love that and I love that you guys because you guys are together here in Peoria. Yeah, like you your facilities are combined together Let me tell y 'all something. This is what I be talking about with collaboration It is possible you have people out here that's talking about things like that aren't possible. They are a walking example You know what I'm saying? I'm a walking example. I own this with two business owners You know, we are about to celebrate our three -year anniversary as we record in this

March 29th is our three year opening bursary, you know, with regards to our brick and mortar. Thank you. Thank you. So listen, stop letting people tell y 'all that y 'all can't work with people. You have to find your tribe. Okay. And I wanted to say how we met. Yes, please. So her, I'ma speak it into existence, her husband was one of the vendors at my fashion show. I have fashion show pop -up shops like once or twice a year. Nice.

So I was freebie to meet her there, cause she helps him at the booth and she seen like my show and she was interested in - was just so impressed. And I came and told her that because it was so well put together. It was so, you could tell everything was thought out. And I just was like, as soon as I'm done with her, I gotta go holler at Right, right, right. Her energy was amazing. We can keep going, sorry. Yeah, yeah. Okay. Her energy was amazing. Like I was -

Coach Kay Wds (08:25.742)
I was apprehensive prior to meeting you of like working with somebody. The stigma with working with people is real. Like people think that they have to be by themselves, but you're not really learning, you know, and growing by yourself if you don't have somebody. I mean, I'm sure it's a way that you could do it by yourself. I definitely tried it, but also be open to having other perspectives. Man, that open -mindedness is what's key. Like...

as a coach that works on specifically with mindset because we are in an outdated thinking. A lot of us think outdated and we don't think that we can, you we want to do nothing wrong with starting on your own, you know, especially as a startup, you know, you don't have the capital to, you know, make the investments to like immediately out the gate. So there's nothing wrong with initiating that.

But as long as you have the open mind to say, eventually I'm going to give me a team. I'm going to find that growth tribe. You know what I'm saying? And that's what y 'all did. Like them alignments came into play. You know what I'm saying? And I think that that's amazing. Like, tell us a little bit about like what's in the store, right? Like tell me a little bit about Boss Body Shop. I see both of them, man. I love it y 'all. It's going to be in the podcast details. So just make sure y 'all know that. So we have it combined where we're doing her fashion line. Her...

hurting your sons right he right yep we're doing she right and he right with the fashion and the boutique you also do we tell me what you do oh yeah I definitely do personal setup just okay yeah I was gonna get to that but go ahead and then as far as like with with the boss chick body and then a real quick on that name I had contemplated it for a while I could not

You know, I did my own, my business name under something else. And then when I branded out for, you know, what do I want it to be? Couldn't figure it out. The main word that kept coming to me was just boss and body. And I was like, you know, I feel like out of all of the things that I've went through personally, I've always had to, you know, put my big girl panties on, boss up out the situation and have to keep it moving. So that was the mindset. It's catchy.

Coach Kay Wds (10:36.306)
It's a real bougie, real nice feel out there. It's a really nice vibe. It's beautiful out there. I haven't been out there, but I have seen their promotions, and I think that it's amazing. You have to really have everything together, right? And I tell people all day, anybody can start a business, but you have to know how to run a business. You have to know.

those little tidbits here and there, you know, and especially having a brick and mortar. It's totally different than just saying you got a business. Having a brick and mortar is totally different because not only are you worried about the business, you also got to worry about all of the things that come along with the brick and mortar side of the business. If you want to do the online side of it as well, you know, because I'm, I definitely like to, you know, have a variety of these, but.

I'm almost four years in the game now. So I'm at that point, but a lot of us are not. A lot of us are just starting off and we don't really know where our feel is. Do you feel like the in -person, the brick and mortar is more beneficial as far as like for your products and stuff? I definitely do. Yeah, I think so. I think, you know, the beginning of phases of things, you always kind of get a feel for it.

So what I offer out there as far as on the boss chick body with the body contouring is waist trainers. I got the fitted kind, also have the wraparound kind. Also fitness apparel, different things to get y 'all's body right. Snatched up on the Yeah, get snatched up. People have body goals. Everybody got a little, you know.

different things on their body that they wanna get together or just, you know, your self care and your self image. So, yeah, I definitely, you know, love the feel of having the option to be able to come in and get your services. And then also, I definitely wanna expand to online sometimes. And for me, I feel like, I mean, online is nice. I mean, cause you can just shop right from your bed and you don't have to.

Coach Kay Wds (12:42.734)
go out and do anything. I think that's great. However, for me, I like to touch the clothes to feel the quality. You sound like my business partner. Yes. I like to be like, okay, does this hair stretch? Because it'll give the description online, but you really don't know until you put it on. And everybody got so many different body types. So it's best to go in the store and be able to feel it and try it on.

And that way you will have less returns as well. Absolutely. And you sound just like my business partner because she's like, I need to feel like I don't mess with this inequality. She's very adamant about that. So like I can relate to that so much. You know, I think I agree. You know, I think we have gotten away from that because of COVID. You know, a lot of people will default to online. I'm not going to lie. I'm an online shopper, but I'm going be so real. I'm a rainbow shopper.

You know what I'm saying? Like, I know rainbow fit me, my size, my hips, my booty, you know, all of that. So I'm used to that, but I do still like the in -person, you know, touch as well. You know what I'm saying? And I think that it also goes around to like the customer service as well. Oh yeah. Having a boutique, you know, it's a little bit different than just walking into a regular store. You know, the definition is different. The boutique to me gives intimacy. You know what I'm saying?

And also like telling me back on that because my brain always want to do a lot. But yeah, let's apply the logic. Yeah. I appreciate it. I appreciate it. And sometimes people just like, I just don't know what looks good on me. I mean, like, you know, different, like I said, with different body types and depending on where you're going or what activity you got going on and you just pick something online and you just buy and stuff. You're like, I don't know. I hope this look good. It might look good. But when you go in a store,

I'll be able to tell you like, you know what? I think this looks good on you and why don't you try this and these two colors together and this with this, like just give them different perspectives. So it's definitely more personal. And then not to mention the boutique is my boutique is going to give you clothing that you're not going to see in your regular stores. So it's going to be stuff that sticks out in the standout. And that's what I'm like, where you got that from? That's what I think about with a boutique. I can't find that in another, you know what I'm saying? Like it's more exclusive.

Coach Kay Wds (14:57.002)
shopping, you know what I'm saying? Like I feel like honestly going into a boutique is more of an experience. You know what I'm saying? And just like seeing the visual of you guys' storefront and brick and mortar, that's exactly what I get from that. Like an experience, you're walking into an experience. And I think that that's dope. And trying on a waist trainer, you want to do that in person. You don't want to just purchase it and then it's too small. You got a trap or too big. Yeah, absolutely. I think that's what Miltard, tell us your biggest thrill.

so far on your entrepreneur journey and not just with Boss Trident but just from since starting off, like what has been your biggest thrill? The biggest thrill, let's see. I feel like I have a lot but I wanna say probably the biggest thing to me that sticks out that still just wows me is.

I would say for me, not knowing, excuse me, not knowing exactly what everything is supposed to be or supposed to come from. But for me, I think the biggest thrill is like when I, the very first time I seen my sign or my logo going up. And to me that was just shocking because it's like, it's something that -

Yeah, I was like, you know, in all praise the God because, you know, some things I still to this day, I can't say how they happened. It wasn't on my behalf. So that was the thrill. That's still the highlight. Sometimes when I go down the street, I can look over and I can see that sign. That's motivation. That's motivation. So I still get the thrill of that. I love that. What about you, Rachel?

Now I'm trying to think, because I'm like, I remember when I got that sign and it was raising it up in the air and it was pink and sparkly. And I was like, that's so She -Rae. And I kept driving past too, but I'll try to think of a different one. So probably the biggest thrill for me was, is when I have my fashion shows. Like, though, cause this is like planning a wedding. It's like your bride's zilla. Everything gets going crazy. And it's like, Oh my God, how am I going to pull all of this together? I done got.

Coach Kay Wds (17:15.31)
performances, I done got good talent, I done got vendors, I done got like people buying my fashion. And then at the end when it's all DJs and then we have like an after party, wrap up party afterwards and the whole production in itself. I just sit back and I'd be like, oh my God, I can't believe I did this. It's so much work, but it's like so overwhelming like when it's done and everybody is so happy and proud of you and it was a success.

I think that every time I have a fashion show, it's like a thrill. Yeah, it's a thrill. Which I have one coming up May 4th. Hey, period. Y 'all heard that if you're in the Pure Area and if you're not in the Pure Area, come on down and check it out. Them informations will be in the DT. You know what it do. So going to the Spills, what do you feel is your biggest spiel? I'll start. Oh, God. So one, it's personal, so I'm not going to say, but one I will share.

is the location. So I think that like, well, not necessarily just a location, just not, just giving up. Like not being present, like not being present in my first location. And because I get real discouraged, like when you don't have a lot of customers. Like when you don't have a lot of customers and it's slow, it's like, what am I doing here? Like.

my time is valuable, I could be doing something. With that entrepreneur mindset, you always feel like you could be making money. When you not making money, it's like a downer. Yes. Because some bills gonna keep rolling. And they are. And they're not gonna never stop. So it's like, I got to do something to fill up this space. So my spill was making sure, I mean, was not picking the right location. Was not picking the right location where there's traffic running and moving and you know.

If I would have did that better, then I feel like it would have been more of a success. So that was one of my Spills. Okay, okay. I'll get that. What about you, Meltara? For me, because I'm such a person, I would say I don't do good with patience. I want everything to happen right now, right away, boom, boom, boom. But I'm learning, and that's what I think is the good journey of it, because...

Coach Kay Wds (19:30.126)
Like when we opened, we opened November 4th. So let's just say even by the beginning of the year, January, we had only been open two months. And in my brain, this is just me, because this is how I think, because I'm an impatient person, is I could stop and look at all the thoughts, all the work, all the going in every day, like everything.

blood, sweat, tears, you know, that you put into something. So when you put something, me being impatient, I want that automatic return. I want that return. So just as she said, the money or, you know, you're looking for things when you, you have an expectation and God has exceeded all of mine. I can't even lie. He really has. But I would say that, that to me sometimes gets me because you want, you want something right then and there. But what I'm learning along this journey is,

Also when I stopped and did like my one year recap, I kind of shocked myself. Cause I think it was you or somebody like people were telling me, sometimes you don't give yourself enough grace. So sometimes I gotta be like, damn, I really did just open a business in a year. I'm like, you know, and I think just it's a mindset thing. I love that this is called mindset because it's the gray areas, the in between all of that. So.

For me, it was just, you know, I'm impatient. Sometimes I want things to happen, boom, boom, boom. And sometimes it doesn't, but it gives us a little bit more appreciation. And that is, that's a spill for a lot of us, especially as entrepreneurs. We want that shit right now. Right now. We want it right now. All because everything. We perfect. We want it to be perfect. You know, one thing that I have learned definitely, and that's what makes it easier for me as an entrepreneur, is to expect obstacles.

expect things that might come in and try to throw a wrench in things, you know, because my mindset will be prepared instead of being shocked, you know, when it does happen. I already have that mindset like, oh, okay, well, I knew something was gonna go on. So I got the tools in place to go ahead and take care of that and keep going, you know. But I love, like I said, me meeting you a few years back, this was nothing that you were talking about back then. So like, I love that you had a vision.

Coach Kay Wds (21:45.582)
and you brought that vision to life. Because even though you had that other vision going on back then too, you know, you aligned yourself, sis. And I think that that is dope. And as well with you, you know what I'm saying? Because you had a vision and you put it together and you still in the process of getting things together, still manifesting. That's what it's about. You know, we have to speak.

the things into existence like they're already happening. Yeah, and I wanted to add trust to process. Absolutely. So I feel like that's another spiel, if you will. Because if you pray, I'm a firm believer of God and faith. And if you prayed on it and you believe that it's going to happen, then you got to stand on it. You got to leave it you got to keep pushing. You got to let God work and let it manifest. And sometimes we doubt ourselves. I did that so many times, like, oh my God, but maybe, but this is what, this is my expectation. I'm not there yet.

but just trust the process because it comes. Like those things comes. You know, when you need to. And the right time. You gotta put certain people in your life. That's okay. Cause we talked about that too. I was like, Oh my God, just feels all right. That is a fact. Yeah. So trust the process. I love it. So give the ladies that are going to tune in to this podcast, video, podcast, audio, cause it's streaming everywhere y 'all, but give them some advice or some tips on how to help them.

stay focused, stay motivated, you know, just kind of give them a little bit of insight on even somebody that might be thinking about, you know, starting a journey. Like what are some tips and, you know, tips and insight that you have for them? I want to say, listen to that little voice that's in your head. It's like, I want to do this. I want to do that and block out all the negativity around you and just listen to that voice that's telling you that you can do it.

and write it down. Like, it's really good to have a plan. Like, when I was about to start my business, I had a notebook and I was like, you know what, I'm about to write. Not only did I need to have like the name, cause that's the first start in your LLC, obviously that's the first start, but then you have to have a plan and you have to have something that's gonna help people. Like whatever your product is, whatever your business is that you're starting, you have to have a problem and then a way to solve it. Come on.

Coach Kay Wds (24:02.574)
And I feel like that's the best thing to look for when starting a business. And just, again, block out all the naysayers, because they're going to be there. And I'm not saying that you're going to get a lot of that. But prepare to, because misery loves company. Hey, I'm trying to tell you. And people are going to be like, girl, I don't know about that. I don't think you should do that. I seen her do it. It didn't work. And you know they're going to give you their perspective. But just follow your gut feeling, that voice in your head. Pray and pray.

and then pray a little bit more, and some more. And trust the process. Those are all really, really good. Here he is. I would say, I'd add to all of that, I definitely, my grandma used to tell me this, if you don't write it down, it didn't happen. I don't know what that means, but I do believe, you know, even in my focus and concentration and with stuff.

When I write something down, I definitely don't procrastinate on it. I make it happen. So putting your thoughts to paper, manifestation. I also feel like having somebody to sometimes just talk to whether or not. Accountability partners. Oh, an accountability partner is very so important to have that. Yeah. Absolutely. But having someone, like for me, I feel like I.

I like to talk through a lot of my thoughts because I talk to myself, I answer myself. It's okay for that. I get myself good at my own. Entrepreneurs do it. Yeah, but being able to talk to somebody that has a sound mind and also I think a lot of business stuff and things that you want to get into is about the environment, the type of people that you surround yourself around. For me, I want to be in the type of rooms and...

the type of opportunities that I feel like I haven't had. So stepping out, learning different things, networking, just equipping your mind for different things than your everyday. And to that say. Yeah, my husband is always telling me you are as successful as the top five people around you. Y 'all don't be understanding when I be telling you all that, okay?

Coach Kay Wds (26:12.718)
You have to be around like -minded. We wanted our friends and family to be our biggest support, but I'm gonna tell y 'all, and I say it probably every time I get on a podcast or whatever else, you have to find like -minded. As an entrepreneur, I want to be around other entrepreneurs because that is going to keep my mind focused. If I'm not around entrepreneurs, how am I gonna keep going? How am I gonna keep How are they gonna water you? What's feeding you? That part, that part.

So y 'all heard that. Y 'all heard me say it all the time, but y 'all heard it from them as well. So please let them know where your location is. We are located here in Peoria, Illinois. So please let them know. We are. We are out at 8218 North University. Period. Period. And Meltar, please give them social media details. Social media, Instagram and Facebook is at boss chick underscore.

That's B O S S C H I C underscore body Also, you can look up My name Meltara hard child's and kind of find you know some of those pages as well Mine is I believe it's she rae boutique for Facebook. Let me double check you guys really quick

We both double check. And the right information will be in the podcast notes too, so just in case. Thank you so much. SheRae Boutique underscore the Deal Queen. And I go by the Deal Queen because I'm a boutique, which usually is kind of like high price deals, okay? Very affordable boutique. And then my website is thesheraeboutique .com. S -H -E -R -A -E boutique .com. Thesheraeboutique .com. I love it. I love it. Ladies.

It has been a pleasure. It's been a pleasure. Thanks for having us. Thank you so much. To y 'all here today. Y 'all are welcome back anytime. Y 'all know where y 'all can find me at, Coach K transforms on all social media platforms. But make sure you have subscribing to the Upgraded Mindset's YouTube channel because that's where you find enough that if you watching us on video, but you can also catch this on Spotify, Apple. We streaming everywhere, baby. So just make sure that you subscribe. And if you are interested in being a guest on the woman's hustle.

Coach Kay Wds (28:26.638)
The details will also be in the podcast description notes. So you know what? It's been a pleasure. Ladies, thank you so much for joining us. Thank you for having us. Absolutely, absolutely, baby. The Thrills and Spills. The shit is real, y 'all. It is real real. Holla it back, y 'all. All right.