Meet Brittany Bodden | Waistbead creator & Mother

We had the good fortune of connecting with Brittany Bodden and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Brittany, why did you decide to pursue a creative path?
I have been artistic since I was a child, doing ballet for 18 years, being a self-taught artist from the age of 8, designing and decorating clothes for fun, creating handmade invitations for classmates, all of these casual pastimes brought me peace. As I grew older, the need for peace grew stronger. I will be honest, Lilas Alexandria is not a career just yet, it is a strong passion of mine that I am slowly but surely turning into a career. When I was a child in school answering the questionnaire of “what did I want to be when I grew up” I could never answer with confidence the way my fellow classmates did. No government job appealed to me and I knew for a fact I would only thrive in an artistic environment.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
I created Lilas Alexandria to give myself a platform to bring people’s desires to life. Each one of my waistbeads is customized to my client. I love making pieces that makes the wearer feel beautiful and bright. Due to the fact that I am not African, I do not specialize in African Waistbeads, however, I do specialize in chakra placement, gemstone properties, manifestations, cleansings, and above all, inner beauty. I adore helping women find that part of them that they’ve lost touch with. Whether it’s feeling beautiful again, getting back in touch with their feminine side, or just doing something for themselves, all aspects make my day.

I got where I am today by a tremendous amount of trial and error. I didn’t take a course on how to start a business, I just dove in headfirst. Figuring out my signature look took about three years to master and I’m still tweaking it present day. None of this has been easy, but every sleepless night is worth it.
Some challenges I faced were understanding my target audience, believing in the value of my work, and above all understanding that I cannot satisfy everyone. I still struggle with taking time for myself and paying myself for my time as well, however, I am slowly getting the hang of it all.

I’ve learned that I have accomplished something I could only dreamed of as a child. I’ve learned that I do not have to be picture perfect all the time, I am a small business and I am the only one running it, on top of being a mother of two. I have learned to let go of past visions and embraces new ones. I have learned the best way to articulate my waistbeads and my process that works for me, and I am incredibly proud of my progress.

I would want the world to know that I am blessed to have as many people interested in my craft as I do and will, as well as, extremely grateful for all the women who have allowed me to adorn their waist with my waistbeads. I am humbled and in awe of everything that has taken place, and what has yet to come. Lilas Alexandria was created for the sole purpose of empowerment. It started off as a past time, making waistbeads and anklets for myself to feel more feminine and beautiful, and then eventually it branched out and became a platform to do so for all women. I am so thankful that I can include so many women on my journey of self-love.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
The High Museum for sure, any time I have free time I love going there and immersing myself in the paintings and the different type of mediums, luckily my best friend has the same taste as I do. We would also stop by the Van Gogh Museum as well. Definitely hit up Slutty Vegan for the amazing food options, Off The Hook, and any other good vegan/pescatarian options. I’m more of a home body so we would mostly be home with the kids, watching movies, making food, creating memories with the kids, peaceful things.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would have to give credit to my small support system. My mother, for in her own way providing me support and potential ideas. My father for dismissing any idea of quitting. My siblings for continuously supporting my vision and acknowledging my talent. My daughter’s father for pushing my vision to expand beyond the small corner I was very comfortable in, my son’s father for continuing to share my craft and find business adventures to pursue. And last but not least, my very good friend who will always be there for any pop-up shop, the perfect person to run ideas by, and the perfect person to keep me on track. Lilas Alexandria wouldn’t be even a fourth of the success it is without my support system.

Website: www.lilasalexandria.com

Instagram: @creative.talents97