1.Vintage Coach wallet 2. assortment of lipsticks + glosses 3. Mike and Ike Candy 4. Gap Sunglasses 5. Poppin Notebook 6. iPhone 7. Knife {for saftey} & Keys 8. Missoni for Target notebook 9. Lotion & Hand sanitizer
What’s your biggest accomplishment? Personally, my biggest accomplishment has been graduating college in 2007, as I am among the first in my family to do so. Launching Clutched & Covered has also been a big personal accomplishment because I did so, during one of the most difficult times in my life. Clutched & Covered is only 5 months old, so being featured on one of my favorite blogs, Addicted 2 Etsy, was major for me!!
What are three books you would recommend to our readers? If I can be honest, between Clutched & Covered, my style blog, Consider Me Lovely, grad school, and helping to raise my 13 year old nephew and 11 year-old niece, reading isn’t something I haven’t managed to find a lot of time for, but it is one of 2013 goals! Nonetheless, I recommend The Bible (the one book I make time to read daily in some manner), If You Have To Cry, Go Outside by Kelly Cutrone (she keeps it blunt and real), and Southern Belles by Audreyanna Garrett (the author is a middle school friend who’s book I just purchased and aim to start reading this week).
What’s the biggest lesson you have learned since launching? BE PATIENT. There’s a saying that says, “Rome wasn’t built overnight” or something like that. Starting Clutched & Covered has taught me to be patient when waiting on customers as well as when I am tackling duties like packaging and budget. Without patience, I probably would’ve given up, or at least wanted to.
What’s your advice to someone interested in starting their own business? Make sure the business you are starting comes from your heart and is a passion, because this makes the moments when you need the patience mentioned above easier. I’m a true believer that God makes room for your gifts/passions; if you follow your heart, He will provide. Second, be patient; nothing is successful overnight.
Rocquelle’s vintage clutch in a Polka Dot Clutched & Covered case
Where do you receive inspiration? Everywhere. Vintage clothing. Blogs. Friends and family. Runway Trends. Nature. Ladies at church.
If you could have one famous entrepreneur as your mentor who would it be? My initial reaction to this question is Oprah; she is Queen O after all. However, when I really think about it. I would love to be mentored by June Ambrose. She seems (I say seem because we never really what celebrities go through in life) to have developed a successful career where she has created her own rules, masterfully integrates family life and business, comes off as somewhat down to earth, and she’s downright fabulous!
Do you feel your life is balanced between work life + personal life? NO WAY!!! While parts of my personal and work life are integrated, my style blog is personal after all, I can only long to know what balance is. Both of my business entities, Clutched & Covered and Consider Me Lovely, are pretty much one woman shows (my nephew takes my outfit photos a lot of the time), so it is very time consuming to do everything on my own. Thankfully, my niece and nephew are old enough that they don’t have to be supervised all of the time, but I certainly often feel overwhelmed with trying to take care of them, while trying to pursue my 27 year old dreams. Nonetheless, I remind myself that I can’t let work/school/family overwhelm me, and strive to consistently make time for hanging with friends or sitting around doing nothing at times.
Soundbytes:
What is your most indispensable gadget: iPhone (sadly, it’s always attached to me in some way).
What’s your favorite app? YouVersion Bible (it lets me get God’s Word on the go), but I really love Instagram too!
What’s your favorite account to follow on Twitter: @PushyDreamer
What’s your favorite item in your closet: OOOO, that’s the hardest question yet, lol. My vintage sequins/beaded pieces and my shoes. No way could i pick just one thing!
It’s giveaway time for our lovely readers! Rocquelle is providing one of our readers a clutch cover. She has also provided our lovely readers with a promo code, “ICBClutched,” which is good through next Friday to save 15% off.
How amazing is Rocquelle of Clutched & Covered? You can shop her store on Etsy, read her blog, Consider Me Lovely, and also chat with her on twitter.
This post includes affiliate links to Amazon which I receive a small compensation for.
