Startup Fortune, July 6, 2020: Danessa Elreya has worn many crowns, and one of them happens to be Miss Georgia Latina, a national pageant that gave her the opportunity to speak out about domestic violence and allowed her to launch her successful business. Using her personal brand and company, Magical Intentions, Danessa has cultivated a strong, passionate voice for the Hispanic community. We talk to her about how she manages to align running a successful business with speaking up for her community.
What businesses have you run before, and how did they help you get to where you are now? What business do you currently run?
At the moment I create personalized crystal gemstone pendants. I also do tarot readings, provide natal charts, give spiritual guidance, and create other unique gifts and art pieces for clients. Before starting my own venture, I worked as a manager and as a fitness counselor. These positions made me realize that we all have different goals, and it allowed me to develop compassion and understanding for the positions people are in and the paths they take to reach these goals. I watched people struggle with their confidence, self-esteem, weight, and insecurities. I wanted to help them while creating art.
How do you differentiate yourself from your competition?
I started this business on the back of encouragement and positive feedback from other people. There’s always been a personal touch to it. There’s always been a purpose. Our goal is to create beautiful pieces that bring personal healing and positive energy into people’s lives. It’s a mix of magic, art, spirituality, creativity, and happiness. As long as I hold those values at the forefront of what I do, we’re always going to stand out and be unique.
What are the biggest challenges when starting a business as an entrepreneur?
The initial learning process is quite challenging, especially if you’re working a full-time job on top of running your business. Learning how to run a company, create products, market these products, provide good customer service, and just do your taxes all come through trial and error.
What’s your secret to scaling a business?
It starts with creating a product that I 100% believe in. Once I’ve got this, it’s easier to sell these products and get to know my market. I build good customer relationships and keep in contact with past and present clients.
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