Meet Dana Owens | Boutique Owner/Visionary/Motivator

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

Hi Dana, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
My thought process behind starting my business was to be able to do what I love and help women. Helping women build their confidence and enhance their outer appearance without breaking the bank.

What should our readers know about your business?
I started my career as a licensed hairstylist in Chicago. Spent many years helping women enhance their beauty. During that time I met some amazing women along the way. After about 13 years behind the chair I decided it was time to transition into something else . I’ve always love beauty , hair and fashion. I started a private label lipstick line called Jolie Faces. Back then it was almost unheard of for a regular person to have their own brand. I was so so nervous when I launched my cosmetics. The excitement and support that I received was simply amazing. 2 years after that I expanded and opened an online boutique that sold women’s clothing and accessories. Being in business is not easy at all. It can be very rewarding but it is not easy. One thing about me is I am not afraid to start over or reinvent myself if needed. I overcome challenges but keeping a positive mindset and by focusing on the end goal. When I have my moments of feeling overwhelmed and ready to give up I think about all of the people I have helped . My business has a new addition which was created by accident and was prompted by the pandemic. I found myself feeling like I was falling into a depression during the shelter in place. At the beginning I did not think it would bother me because I like to be alone. my energy was low, I was loosing interest in a lot of things. One day I woke up and said need to be around some people with positive energy. I planned a vision board brunch, booked a venue, released the tickets and the rest is history. I thought I was doing this brunch for me because I needed it. I thought it was my bright idea that I randomly came up with. Only to discover I was hand picked. God dropped this seed in my head. You see there were people who prayed for what I provided. I was the answer to a need that someone else prayed for. I literally discovered my purpose by accident. Now I plan and host empowerment brunches and conferences for women. I connect women to who and/or what they need in life to get to their next level. What I learned along the way is that sometimes you go through things so you can grow and help guide others who might not have the strength to do it alone. I want the world to know my brand is about women supporting women, breaking the mean girl narrative, and reaching back to pull the woman behind me up .

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?
Most women live very busy lives and have many things to juggle. I was start by hiring a private driver so we wont have to worry about driving, parking etc. There have been a lot of changes in Chicago and a lot of new black owned businesses have opened. I like to be lowkey. Hyde Park has a new black owed steak house. We will go there for dinner, drinks and vibe. Next day head to downtown Chicago area for a nice relaxing spa day, afterwards checkout the black owned winery in the Bronzeville neighborhood. If she’s visiting during summertime we will definitely go to a popup bar or rooftop bar.

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 want to Shoutout the women who believe in my vision. I want to Shoutout the women who trust me enough to help guide them. I want to Shoutout the women call me their Coach/Mentor . I want to Shoutout all the hardworking women who get up everyday and do what they have to do to provide for themselves and their families. I want to Shoutout my beloved Grandmother Betty Stone. She was the strongest person I knew. She always encouraged me to go for what I want.

Website: www.ilovejoliecollection.com

Instagram: Instagram.com/ilovejoliecollection

Facebook: www.facebook.com/ilovejoliecollection

Other: www.facebook.com/groups/babmconference/