Inspiring conversations with Brittany Zanders of RAW Boutique49

Today we’d like to introduce you to Brittany Zanders.

Hi Brittany, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
On June 3, 2019, it marked as a life change moment when I flipped in my car with my children’s grandmother. The injuries changed my mobility as a single working mother where I had to choose between my job or my health. In October 2020, I decided to go back to college and pursue my Bachelor’s in Business Administration at Strayer University. I am a scholar student with a 4.0 GPA and plan to graduate in December 2023. The day that brought tears but everlasting agape love was when I received the call about Miss Rebecca Williams gain her eternal wings on April 14, 2021. She was like a second mother to me and kept encouraging through the trials of being a single mother. One day, I had a dream that I would open a business not knowing that I would pursue these plans after losing someone special to my heart. I decided to open an online fashion boutique but didn’t know what name to give it. God kept speaking her name to me but I didn’t understand the message until now. My final name became RAW Boutique49, where it symbolizes the initials of her name and 49 represents the birth year. I choose to sell fashion and accessories because she loved fashion and want to leave a legacy to my four daughters. The love that Mrs. Williams shared with me demonstrated the love that family isn’t always blood.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
No, it hasn’t always been a smooth road but progression takes time. Some of the struggles are start-up funds, strategizing a business plan, and trying to avoid common mistakes that many entrepreneurs make when they operate their businesses. However, you have to make mistakes to understand the solutions needed to build an empire with memories.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about RAW Boutique49?
RAW Boutique49 is a life-changing fashion boutique that specializes in making memories and styling women in trendy apparel that brings a smile. My creativity are my handmade jewelry such as luxurious bangles and personalized Cuban links with photos. One thing that sets me apart from others is that I am able to understand fashion trends and style others by sharing a hobby with my daughters. I can take my family bond and try to teach my daughters about the essentials of business and its attributes. My brand has become wise due to using my education courses and studying different tactics in marketing to capture my targeted audience. I want the readers to know that RAW Boutique49 is the brand that builds a family cult that builds confidence and teaches other women to appreciate their beauty no matter what life may bring upon them. Our brand does allow the customers to ask about ordering other items that aren’t on the website and seeking apparel for weddings and other special events.

Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources you think our readers should check out?
I have used my textbooks from Strayer University to understand the concepts and perspectives of business, finances, and marketing. In addition, I have taken courses with highly demand business platforms the Dropship Queen, Her Hustle Academy, and other entrepreneurs on Instagram. My mother, Zarita, teaches me about business perspectives due to her previous experience in Finance and receiving her Masters in Logistics.