Meet Shamonica Alexander | Owner, MK Golden Designs

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

Hi Shamonica, do you have a favorite quote or affirmation?
My favorite quote is by my favorite artist Jill Scott, “Living my life like its Golden”. It is one of the things that helped catapult the idea and desire to start my own business. To me it means taking control of what I want my life to look like and taking the actions necessary to make it happen. I like it because we hear it all the time that you only have one life to live and live life to the fullest but I think sometimes due to age, doubt, or circumstances we think we have time or on the flip side its too late. Despite our hardships and obstacles we still have a choice on how we will handle it. To me, the meaning of the quote is to wake up everyday and ask ourselves, “What am I going to do today to live my Golden Life?” and even if that action for the day is a smaller one compared to other days we are still that much closer to those things that we desire. So regardless of how anyone may feel we should live our life we should always put forth those things that will make us happy and fulfilled.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I initially didn’t even think about entrepreneurship. I went to college and graduated with a B.S. in Computer Information Systems.  It was hard getting an entry level job to big layoffs in my field during the time I graduated. I took a job with a major security company with intentions of working my way to their IT department but I was never able to get as technical as I would have liked. Instead, I decided to delve deeper into my passion of hairstyling. While still working I enrolled in cosmetology school and after 10 years of working for someone else in December of 2010 I took my y first entrepreneurial leap and quit my job to do hair full time. Shortly after, my husband and I decided to start a family, so now becoming a mother and entrepreneur was definitely a challenge. Especially with complications before and after my pregnancy my business was at a standstill. I took on a part time at home job as I did lose some clientele while I was away. I was grateful for my loyal clientele that stood in the wings and came back once I returned about 6 months later. 2016 is when I decided to start MK Golden Designs. I started out making personalized shirts for all occasions. I then ventured into making many other personalized items such as keychains, tote bags, cups, socks, gift items, and so much more. Once the pandemic hit that caused another set back for me as I was no longer able to do hair and the part time at home job I was furloughed. In spite of losing my main sources of income I decided to launch my own tshirt line. Being an entrepreneur is never easy and to be honest there are days I want to give up and just go back to working for someone else. But I think back to why I started at all and think of the words to my favorite song. I have to ask myself if I would truly live my Golden Life by not doing what I am doing now or even doing something that I know would not be fulfilling on a daily basis to me. I am still learning and growing but I am proud of myself for taking a chance on me and taking those steps to live my life according to what makes me happy!

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
If I had a friend visiting from out of town we would definitely have to brunch at Blue Mesa for unlimited mimosas and I love their salmon and adobe pies. For afternoon fun we would hit up Klyde Warren Park to enjoy some outside fun, check out the Perot and DMA, and cant leave with out hitting up a food truck or two. If its football season tail gate at Jerrys World and cheer on my Dallas Cowboys (they get on my nerves but I stick beside em)! I don’t party often but I love a good time. A few choices for evening fun would be drinks at the Virgin Hotel, axe throwing at Whiskey Hatchet, or even a party bike ride through Deep Ellum as we bar hop!

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?
There are so many to thank for the love and support I get continually. My family and friends are always there to lend a hand where ever needed. I can never thank my clients and customers enough for always supporting, purchasing, sharing, and encouraging me every step of the way! They can choose to do business with anyone and I am forever grateful they choose me!

Website: www.mkgoldendesigns.com

Instagram: @mkgoldendesigns

Facebook: www.facebook.com/mkgoldendeisgns