Living the Lavish Life: Alicia Brown

BBC: Hi Alicia, so happy to have you interview with Black Business Connect. Tell our readers a little about yourself.

AB: I am Alicia "AliDi" Brown. I am a 42-year-old Mom of 9. And lifetime resident of Atlanta, Ga. My passion for inspiring and teaching people that look like me to live naturally and in ABUNDANCE. Keeps me encouraged to continue growing as a woman and business owner.

BBC: We love your purpose, teaching others how to live in abundance. Could you share with us more about your business?

AB: Lavishly Naturals is an all-natural hair and skin care product line. It is geared toward the health and self-care of black and brown people.

Lavishly Naturals products are dual-purpose, handmade, and affordable. Designed to Release toxins, Refresh our body's abilities to replenish and regrow hair and skin cells. And Also, restore us back to our most natural state of being with our hair and skin.

That's why our slogan is *Release *Refresh *Restore.

BBC: A lot of people want to make the switch to natural products now. What inspired you to start?

AB: The beginning of Lavishly Naturals was birthed out of my desire to return my health, hair, and skin back to natural living in 2013.

I was tired of overpaying for store products that had ingredients that I couldn't even pronounce. Chemicals that were cancer-causing and detrimental to us in the black & brown community. I knew it was a better, more natural way to have high-quality products.

BBC: Did you have challenges along the way?

AB: The most difficult challenge of starting my Lavishly Naturals brand was just starting.

The fear of having to compete with those bigger named brands had me shaking and also learning to get out of my comfort zone and network. In order to grow my brand, I must learn marketing and budgeting skills daily. Which I am highly unfamiliar with.

BBC: Could you share lessons you have learned along the way?

The best advice I have ever received is "to always believe in yourself. Even when no one else will". Everyone in my family or circle hasn't celebrated my brand. But I trust God's plan over my life and Lavishly Naturals.

My biggest lesson learned as an entrepreneur thus far is. That there's no secret recipe for overnight success. Entrepreneurship is extremely difficult, especially for someone who has no business skills. Only being a Mom since 14 years old, I was behind on a lot. From business skills to social networking skills. Every aspect of business for me is to learn as I GROW.

BBC: While we're on the subject of lessons, how do you find inspiration?

AB: My personal motto is "Live Life Abundantly and Lavishly". When I think of ABUNDANCE, I think glamorous, healthy, happy, feeling naturally wealthy from the inside out.

I find inspiration daily in studying successful self-made millionaires and entrepreneurs. Who started from nothing but a vision and belief. Just like myself.

I am also looking forward to being able to employ others so that they are able to provide for their families as well. It wakes me up daily, even when I'm sick or uncertain of if I'll even make another sale.

BBC: We love that you want to give back. To date, what would you say is your

greatest success story?

AB: My greatest success so far in business was making sales at my very 1st vendor event in December 2019. And then selling out every product I handmade in my kitchen the following month, January 2020. That was GOD showing me that he gave me this vision/assignment. And he has ordered my successful steps already.

BBC: Congratulations on your major accomplish! I know our readers will want to keep up with you. How can they contact you?

AB: They can contact us on social media or send us an email.