We had the good fortune of connecting with Brittany Cox and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Brittany, how does your business help the community?
When I think about my Why and the reason to continue fighting for this business, it’s because of this question. Dazzling Divas is so much more than a boutique where you can shop at. Dazzling Divas represents a community of women who come together to encourage each other, uplift one another and fight for each other. When you walk into the store or open our app, you’re more than just a customer, your family. People shop with people and that’s been what I continue to build this business on. I want every woman who shops with us to feel beautiful and know how special they are. I want each woman on our social media platforms to know they’re not fighting battles alone; we’re all fighting silent battles. We’re real people and we want to continue building a community of women to rally around one another. Not only do we want Dazzling Divas to be a community for others, but we also love giving back to our local community and supporting those who support us. Through donations, local events, sponsorships, and teaming up with our local charities…that what being a business owner is about. Without your community, without your supporters…you will never make it.
Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
Dazzling Divas started out as an art project I sketched out when I was in elementary school. My store was located where Claire’s was in Heartland Mall in Early, Texas. This dream never went away, my passion just grew to make it happen. Finally, after creating a business plan, I put my dream into play in 2011. Like many things, as I grew older and matured so did my business. We’ve gone through the best time of times and the lowest of times. There’s been times I truly didn’t know how I would make it to the next month, months I didn’t know how I would pay my electric bill or my employees. The one thing that kept me going and got me through the tough times was the love for my business. When I opened in 2011 there was not online, there was no website, there was no app. There was a brick and mortar that made me grounded and truly set the bar for customer service experience. Throughout the years the one thing that has made me survive is I’ve learned to pivot. I’ve fallen face first, I’ve made so many mistakes, but I’ve also taken risks. I’ve learned as a business owner you can’t stay stagnant; you have to keep moving. You have to pivot and change with the times while still staying true to yourself. When COVID shut us down. I didn’t know if we would make it or how, I just knew I wasn’t going to walk away without a fight. We got creative, we shifted our attention online and created a different kind of community. An online community where women could join us to feel like they weren’t alone in these crazy times. We grew our online leaps and bounds while also managing to stay true to who we are and provide exceptional customer service. If there’s one thing, I want people to know about Dazzling Divas, we’re fighters. Our story hasn’t been easy, but my gosh it’s been worth it. Everything we do, we do for our customers because they’re the reason we are where we are.
Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
This journey wasn’t one I did alone, and without a long list of people we wouldn’t still be standing 12 years later. When I first started this business, I had a lot of people that said I would never make it, said my business would never make it. However, the number of supporters I had outweighed the ones against it. My husband, Casey is by far my number one supporter. To be married to a business owner is no small task. There are months our finances take a hit because I’m unable to pay myself due to tough times. There are weeks at a time that he picks up the slack with our kids and at home, due to late work nights and events. The amount of grace this man has for me when stress takes over, he’s truly the calm to my storm. When I’ve wanted to throw in the towel and walk away, he reminds me of why I should stay. My mom is also one of my biggest cheerleaders who’s never questioned, and never stopped cheering for me. There’s been times of darkness, and she’s pulled me out and helped me see the light again. She’s spent hours upon hours helping set up for shows, events, helping me get organized and everything in between. She’s continued to pour into me and inspire me to keep chasing my dreams. Lastly, my group of friends…my people…my girls…. the ones who never left. The friends who never made me feel like dirt for not being able to attend all the social events and activities and just being the friend, they knew I needed it. The friends who fought for this business because they love and believe in me. The friends who promoted this business and showed up for EVERY SINGLE THING. The friends who fought when i had no fight left in me. Meghan, Taylor, Ashley, Shelby, Madi, April, Miranda, Kaley…through all the seasons of life…some have been there since the beginning. Some just joined but have fought just as hard! These are the people who deserve all the credit and all the glory, without them…Dazzling Divas wouldn’t be here!
Website: www.shopdazzlingdivas.com
Instagram: shopdazzlingdivas
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/dazzlingdivasboutiquevip