Each month some 500,000 adults start new businesses.
But it’s hard for any new start-up to survive.
Celia Williamson didn’t allow the statistical risks to deter her. Williamson turned her entrepreneurial spirit and aspirations into a thriving home decor and jewelry business.
‘Sticki Icki‘ offers eclectic, one-of-a kind pieces that will give your home or office a signature flair.
“We are a peacock people,” Williamson told theGrio.com. “We are flashy, with rings on every finger. We wear door knocker earrings. I’m trying to showcase that as well as sophistication. I’m trying to show that in the imagery.”
Customers can find unique colors, patterns and hand crafted pieces in the Harlem, New York-based business. Williamson hand picks every piece. She purchases exclusive pieces from places such as Africa, Greece, and London on purpose.
She wants her clientele to know she advocates for a truly ‘global’ community.
“We should understand that supporting us helps all of us,” Williamson says. “It makes a bank want to give a loan to the next Black business. We are culture we have to harness that power that we are giving away. The stuff that I buy stimulates a global economy. Most of the vendors I buy from are women.”
What year were you founded?
2016
What inspired you to launch your business?
I had a bit of an entrepreneurial spirit for awhile and the real push behind this business is finding a thing that you are good at and enjoy doing and making it a business. One thing I am extremely good at is shopping and curating.
I love things to be interesting. I love to find that one special thing like the coconut bag you find on vacation and you take it home and you carry it with the funky outfit and people are like, ‘oh my goodness where did you find this weird coconut bag?’ I love those special things. That was the real motivation finding those special things and curating a special selection of those things where everything in the space is a special thing. It is adding a little something special to your desktop, or to your coffee table, or to your bookshelf, and a personal accessory you can’t find at Zara.
It is something really special — a conversation starter.
What makes your brand/product unique?
What makes my business special is me. The selection is what I think is cute. It is the spin on it that I am going to give you. It is the way I am going to show it to you and how you can use it in your home. It’s the sauce of the person making and it is also my sauce and showing you ‘Here is how it is cute — here is why you should value this thing and use it in your life.’
Why should everyone #BuyBlack this holiday season?
We should place value in things that are by us and for us the same way we place value in things by other races. If we all just paid it forward for ourselves more and invested in ourselves more and cared about what we thought of each other we would all be greater as a people. It is one way to empower those courageous enough to start a small business so they can then empower people behind them. It is a movement that people should stand behind.
How do you pay it forward within your community?
I volunteer in the New York Urban League (New York). Supporting me supports other dreamers and creators who are trying to make a living off of being creative which is a very difficult thing to do. The nature of the business itself is contributed to a global community.
What is your business mantra?
Don’t be afraid to ask for help, and to listen fully and ask questions because information is the key to everything. I am always up for asking questions, listening and not being afraid to ask for help.
Join Sticki Icki’s email list and get an exclusive Black Friday deal. Look for the pop up mail list.
Chalise Macklin is a freelance writer and producer for theGrio.