Meet Monique Harris | Owner & Creative Designer

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

Hi Monique, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
Starting my own business was never in my foresight. It’s really something that chose me. Actually I never even considered myself the artsy or hobby type especially not making body adornments. My business came about when I was experiencing a rough patch in my life which sent me on a spiritual journey of discovery.

During that time I had pick up so many hobbies and things to keep me busy. One day my daughter asked me about a beaded gemstone bracelet I bought from someone. She said ma, you think you make that? I want one too. I looked at it and said I think so. I went out the next day to the hobby store to buy the stuff to make my baby a bracelet.

I ended up making both of my daughters Jurnee and Amara a gemstone bracelet and they loved them. I posted them on fb and it received so much love from everyone. One of my good friends made a comment and said you know you could sell these? I brushed it off. Then she asked me could I make waist beads. Prior to that I had never heard of waist beads. I dove in head first reading everything I could about them. That was over 2 years ago and I haven’t looked back.

I wouldn’t say I had the traditional thought process when it came to starting my business. I was working a part time job as a tables games dealer and crafting waistbeads and bracelets as a side gig. All while being a wife and mother. It got pretty overwhelming. I felt like my job was draining my life and making waist beads was so much more fulfilling. I really developed a passion for crafting waistbeads and I loved the way they made other women.

In the summer of 2019 with the support of my husband I chose my passion and have been working in it every since. Is it perfect? No at all but everyday is a learning experience. Im proud to say I built something up and even more proud that my children can see what’s possible if you believe in yourself. I’m still feeling my way through but the support I receive is everything I need to keep going. This why I named my business Journey Waist Beads & Bracelets

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 would say I’m a creative because crafting waistbeads is truly art. One that can be tedious but also so rewarding. There are so many adornments you can create. It’s doesn’t stop at waistbeads.

You can do bracelets, foot sandals, thigh beads, and necklaces just to name a few. There are also many different beads to chose from not only style of bead but size as well. The most common beads used to craft waistbeads are Czech seed beads, which are small glass beads that comes in wide range of sizes and colors.

There are also many different ways to make a strand of waistbeads. Traditional is tie on, which is made with strong string and is designed to be durable enough to wear 24/7 without being taken off. Tie ons are my choice because they keep with traditional way they are worn in the culture. The other options are clasped which can be removed and they can be done with a variety of string fishing line or even stretchy cord.

Who knew so much went into making these beautiful adornments? I had not one clue starting out. Everything was a learning experience. Heck I’m still learning. Lots of trial and error, late night meetings with YouTube university. Me stalking Instagram and Pinterest for inspiration. Ordering all the wrong string, cheap beads( not anymore), too small beads, too large beads and a plethora of other rookie mistakes to get me to where I am now.

It was not a easy road to mastering my craft but determination to be and make the best handcrafted waistbeads kept me going. As well as be being open to guidance from other beaders in the community. I’ve learned If it’s your passion, at some point you’re gonna have to take counsel from those who are in the position you want to be in.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I’m from a little city with a big rep called Gary, IN. I’m not really a night on the town type of person. My hometown has more food spots so we’d probably hit up this black owned bbq spot called Motha Trukn Kabob. They have the best chicken kabobs, jerk chicken, and jerk chicken rice I’ve ever tasted. After that we’d hit up our brand new Hard Rock Casino for drinks and entertainment.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
First and foremost I give all praises to the most high and to my ancestors for leading, guiding, and protecting me. I’d also like to to shoutout my husband John. Without your love, support and words of encouragement non of this would be possible. Thank you for being a ear when I need one, a mini business consultant when I’m trying to figure something out and for being super dad on days when I am knee deep in beads, order fulfillments, vendor events and just day to day life running a at home business.

There are so many women who have rallied around me and showed me so much love and support. I definitely have a tribe of some magical badass women around me. My sister Meoshi the one who has always covered me since birth always being like a second mom, from foster care to adult hood. I love you sis! Our life wasn’t perfect but you made sure I was alway taken care of even though you were just a kid yourself.

This chick is the one that really deserves a personal shout-out. Huma Farook she’s the CEO of Nur Naturals a all natural skin care and holistic health business and part of the main reason Journey Waist Beads even exist. She’s the person that put the little bug in my ear asking me if could make waist beads. She’s also the person that received the very first custom waist bead that I’ve ever made. Thank you Huma for always cheering me on and showing me love. You’re definitely a boss ass chick that I look up to and am proud to call sis.

There is also Erica Walton, she’s is the embodiment of a boss chick. I look up to her and her work ethic. I was introduced to her work about 2 years ago by Huma. It was her book Let That Shit Go that I first purchased. Little does she know it was just what I needed at that time in my life. Work, marriage, kids, and just life was kicking my ass but that book let me know it was okay to breathe and in essence let go of the shit that was longer serving a purpose in my life. We later connected and I did a couple of her events that she hosted. So to you Erica I say thank you for your transparency and for just being a dope chick all around.

Overall the support I’ve received is real from women all around the world. Some I’ve never met before! I appreciate and love each and everyone of you!

Website: www.journeywaistbeads.com

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

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Journeywaistbeads/