Meet Charnia Travis | Accessories Lover!

We had the good fortune of connecting with Charnia Travis, Owner of The Bijou Boxx and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Charnia, every day, we about how much execution matters, but we think ideas matter as well. How did you come up with the idea for your business?
Honestly, it was was on a whim! I LOVE accessories, my bedroom dresser will definitely tell you that I have a favorite pair of earrings. They are a wood pair that say “Naturally Dope.” So many people would compliment me on them, and I would buy them a pair of their own.

My friends and I were having girls’ night, and someone mentioned my earrings again. I said, “You know, I get so many compliments on these earrings and have bought so many pair, I should just sell them myself.” That’s it. The idea was born, and that night I went home, and couldn’t sleep. I grabbed my iPad and started mapping out the idea for the business. That must have been why I couldn’t sleep because after I had a few things down, I was able to sleep. I got right to work the next day and 5 months later, The Bijou Boxx launched.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I am an I.T. Project Analyst by day. I have been working in the world of I.T for 22 years. I have done it all, Helpdesk, Desktop Support, Networking, Security, and Project Management.

It was not easy to get here because in the I.T. space, especially when I was starting out, there weren’t many people who looked like me. I always felt like I had to work harder to prove myself. I am used to being either the only Woman on my professional teams, or the only Black Woman on my professional teams. I actually left a company I LOVED because I was doing the work for a position I wanted, but they wouldn’t hire me for it. They always hired from outside of the company, so I left and was hired with another company doing the job I wanted, and have been moving along ever since.

Two of the most important lesson I’ve learned along the way are: You are responsible for your own career and “NO.” is a complete sentence.

I want the world to know that entrepreneurship starts with an idea. I had an idea and I went with it. I share my love of accessories with others and I LOVE it. My brand is a representation of me. Green is my favorite color, so my primary brand color is Green. I love accessories, so I sell them. I love technology, so my boutique is all online. I’m learning every day and I am excited about where The Bijou Boxx will go.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I have only lived in Raleigh for 5 years, so here we go.

Monday: Eat: Shuckers Wake Forest

Tuesday: Eat: 42nd Street Oyster Bar in Downtown Raleigh. Drink: 10th & Terrace rooftop.

Wednesday: The 2nd Wednesday of the month is City Soul Cafe’s Poetry night. It’s located in the Transfer Co. Food Hall in Downtown Raleigh, so we can eat and hang out. Otherwise, we’re heading to Brasa Brazillian Steakhouse in Brier Creek for $5 Martini night.

Thursday: Eat: The Cowfish in NorthHills. Play: There is an “Apollo Style” live music event at Mangos Nightclub.

Friday: Eat/Play/Drink: Kings Bowl-North Hills. There is also Level7 rooftop bar that may have live music which is just across the street.

Saturday: Spend the day being a Tourist in Durham at the Tobacco Road Campus, Eat at the Tobacco Road Sports Cafe, then probably hit up the rooftop of the Durham Hotel for cocktails.

Sunday: Brunch at Tupelo Honey in Raleigh or It’s a Southern Thing in Durham, then definitely Boxcar Bar+Arcade. They have all the old schools games we played like Ms. Pac-man and they have $2 Mimosas all day.

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 was so surprised to receive the email from The Shoutout series. I want to Shoutout one of my besties and fellow business owner, Yanni Brown of Making Love Better TwoGether! She is the one who sent my name in and she never said a word. I appreciate her so much for being my friend, and someone I can turn to on this entrepreneurship journey! She’s been in business over 20 years and I want that longevity.

Website: https://www.thebijouboxx.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebijouboxx/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/487075459009758

Image Credits
Photographer: Jonathan McDougald Product Photographer: Jonathan McDougald IG: https://www.instagram.com/jamcdougald/