Meet LASHONDA GRAY | ENTREPRENEUR

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

Hi LASHONDA, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
My thought process of starting my own business, was planned way before I even knew. Right after high school I went to college, finished my Bachelor’s degree and was like wait, that’s not enough. I went right back and finished my Master’s in Business Management. so boom, now I’m a Boss B. (lol you can take the b out). I didn’t start working till after college and I was doing self booking jobs. The kind you sign up for. I was a secret shopper, demo and sales lady and from there forward, I knew I wanted to start my own business, work on my own time and be my own boss.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
OKAY. So SGEMS stands for Shonda Gems. Just that simple. A couple years ago, I was looking for a statement piece to match my outfit for my birthday. Being a plus size woman, the search doesn’t come easy. After fail attempts of browsing for flashy attire I gave up and turned to my own closet. I have a pretty good selection but it wasn’t anything in there that stand out and screamed, “its my bday bxxxh” I found some all white shinny booties that I had probably wore one time, in my closet, and was like, “Ooowe, I can do something with these.”. I was always big into diamonds, pearls, and rhinestones; anything that was flashily. I think I get that from Michael Jackson. who is my favorite artist; still till this day. I definitely saw a future for those boots, then boom I went to a craft store, got some gems instead of rhinestones which are smaller than gems, got the glue headed back home and but the no plan into actions. I had no idea what pattern or style I was going to do so I just freestyled and oh boy how fancy did the first boot began to look. Finished the pair, and I knew, that nobody could tell me nothing. From those boots, I began gem’ing out or should I say putting SGEMS on everything. From shoes to clothes to candles and wax melts, eyelashes and the list goes on.. The journal was not easy at all. Everyday is a different day. Some days are good and some are not, Luckily I think I’m pretty good at problem solving, so I’m up for any challenge. Moving forward, its always good to plan things out up front or atleast have an ideal of the finish product so there will be no do overs, which I have had to do a lot to correct some mistakes. SGEMS IS STILL NEW. I treat my brand as my first born, still learning and growing. Its more then just a Brand, its a lifestyle, so get GEMED.

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?
MY FAVORITE PLACE TO EAT AT WAS FISH AND WINGS, LOCATED IN FOREST PARK GA. THEY HAD THE BEST HOT WINGS AND RICE (MEXICAN STYLE). ANOTHER FAVORITE SPOT IS VIP NEW ORLEANS SEAFOOD, LOCATED ON TARA BLVD, JONESBORO GA. YOU WANT SOME HOT FRESH COOKED SEAFOOD, THIS IS THE PLACE, AND OH YEAH THEY EBT FRIENDLY.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would like to give a huge thank you to my mom PATRICIA “GRAMS” GRAY. She believed in me and encourage me to follow my dreams and I am doing just that. REST IN HEAVEN GRAMS. YOU WILL ALWAYS BE IN MY HEART!

Website: WWW.ESTGEMBELLA.COM

Instagram: @SGEMSATESTGEMBELLA

Facebook: @EST. GEMBELL’A