Meet Georgia Culclager | Mother, Grandmother, Entrepreneur

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

Hi Georgia, do you have some perspective or insight you can share with us on the question of when someone should give up versus when they should keep going?
I don’t think one ever really knows when to keep going or when to give up. In 2009, when my oldest son was murdered, and his brother became a paraplegic, I thought many times about giving up. At that moment in my life, it was the easiest thing to do. It was during this time that I opened my tax business, Walton Tax Preparation Services. Six years later, when my oldest daughter was diagnosed with fungal meningitis of the brain, again, giving up would have been the easiest thing to do. Just when I thought I was getting my life back on track, the pandemic came. In 2020, I was a full-time caregiver and a part-time ride share driver. I lost my rideshare income when life shut down due to the pandemic. Not only did I lose my income, but I also became a homeschool teacher for four of my 24 grandchildren; as their parents were considered essential workers. I decided I had to find some way to supplement my income, and came up with the idea of starting a t-shirt printing business. I purchased all the necessary equipment but soon found myself adding ready-made items to sell along with the custom merchandise. Before long the garage was overflowing with merchandise, and the idea struck me that I should start an online boutique. On June 24 of 2021 after working on it for about a year, I launched my online boutique, Chosen Elevations. This was challenging as my family had spent the earlier part of 2021, coming to grips with the fact that my twelve year old granddaughter had been diagnosed with lupus. This led to her having one of her lower limbs amputated. In January of 2022, an opportunity opened up for me to have a storefront. Although it wasn’t something I was actively pursuing at the time, everything about the prospect seemed to fall in place. Life happens and we all will have moments where the easiest thing to do is just give up. The responsibilities that come with my role as mother and grandmother are the driving forces in my life that remind me every day, that giving up is my last option. I want my children and grandchildren to know that anything is obtainable in life if you can just find the strength within you to keep going. For me, I dare not think about where my life would be had I given up. I also make peace with myself that no matter whether I succeed or fail…I didn’t do so without trying. I also try to distinguish the difference between stopping and giving up; because sometimes life does require one to stop and regroup in order to continue moving forward.

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 am currently CEO and owner of Walton Tax Preparation Services and Chosen Elevations Fashion Boutique. I am also a Texas Notary. What sets me apart is that I am what one could refer to as a one-person, One Stop Shop. My expertise in the finance area helps with the day-to-day operations in retail. As I was developing the concept for the boutique, I wanted a boutique that would connect generations through fashion. Being a grandmother of young adults and teenagers it’s always a good feeling when we like the same style or fashion. In this day and time generations are divided into so many levels and fashion is one way to bring us together on common ground. It’s always fun when my grandchildren think a style is new and it’s something I wore as a teenager.

Opening and operating a business is not and has not been easy. As with anything, there are good days and bad days. My greatest struggle at the moment is getting the word out that we are here. I learned to keep moving forward one day at a time.

Being over the age of fifty and learning the many new norms, such as social media has also been challenging. Until this year I had never created a story, a reel, or an advertisement. I’ve definitely had to come out of my comfort zone. One must also be willing and open to learning every step. No one person knows everything and great ideas originate in the least expected places.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
To be honest my social life is unremarkable. I’m more of a homebody, and workaholic, so I can’t even imagine a week-long excursion with friends. I spend the majority of my time with my immediate family. We’re more of the backyard cookout type.

Of course the pandemic halted the nation’s social life, this year I have attempted to attend more outings. I’m actually looking forward to celebrating my youngest daughter’s birthday at Texas Live which I have visited a couple of times on different occassions.

When I am afforded the time to get out, I enjoy the outdoor patio happy hours at Sandaga of Dallas. Legends Bar and Grill in Duncanville is one of my favorite local places to visit. They also have a patio, with live music and the chicken wings are the best!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I dedicate my shoutout to my six children, Tameka, Taqueta, Billy(RIP), Junius, Darius, and Erika; and my twenty-four grandchildren. They are definitely the wind beneath my wings. They keep me grounded, focused, and ageless. It’s always been important how they view me, not only as the matriarch of the family but also as a human being in general.

Website: https://chosenelevations.com

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

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