Today we’d like to introduce you to Monica Williams.
Monica, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I started out in the Class at the Parks (Mall) in their Marketing program my senior year. I was blessed to have an opportunity to participate in DECA which is a competition that molds future leaders and entrepreneurs, and I was able to go through competition up to placing at the state level in 2009. With a partner, I designed a marketing plan to help enhance a store of our choice, and through that opportunity I learned how to draft budgets, business plans, and general marketing tips. When I went to college, I was known as “Girl Scout” because I would walk around campus selling candy out of my brand new luggage set in order to make a little cash.
In 2012 I was forced home from school because I developed a liver condition called NASH (Non Alcoholic Stateo Hepatitis). With this, I could barely function as a regular adult. I had to take a semester off from school just to get my health in order, In which time I moved to Longview Texas with my family. While in Longview, I worked as an Assistant Manager for Hibbett Sports, but this is where my dreams of being an entrepreneur were born. My Dad would tell me all the time “We need to put one of those beauty supplies down here”, because I was driving to Dallas every other week to get bundles. I loved the idea, but I hated the thought of being stuck in East Texas forever and with the first chance I got I packed up my suburban, moved back to Oklahoma City and started waitressing at a Waffle House until I was picked up by AT&T.
My father is an entrepreneur. He had a photography studio in Chino Hills Mall when we lived in California. For as long as I could remember my Dad has always had five or more different jobs, which was usually contracted work running his own small tech company. It’s only natural that he rubbed off on me.
In 2015 my Grandfather passed away, and though it hurt to lose the patriarch of our family, I was inspired through his death. The stories people told about my Grandfather JD “Buddy Man” Andrews was that up until the day he died he was a living legend and a true definition of a businessman. You never, not once, heard he was a “great coworker” or any twist on that term, because my Grandfather never had a job, and lived off the land that his Grandfather purchased and has been in our family for over 100 years off Caddo Lake. He was a farmer who would buy and sell livestock, an award-winning fishing guide recognized by National Geographic, and a fur trapper, who would sell furs for coats in order to provide for his wife and 16 kids.
I got it honest, I was inspired to make a better life for myself after he passed, and on my own terms. I entered into a business relationship with my cousin, which turned out not to be God’s plan, but from its failure I was more determined than ever to make my own mark here in Dallas. I took all the things I love, mostly beauty inspired and started cooking up plans to launch my own businesses. I moved back to Dallas in 2017, and after being laid off I decided that I couldn’t wait on the paycheck to come to me, I had to go get it. In 2018 I started selling clothes out of my trunk while driving for Uber, and clothes turned to Jewelry, and That turned to eyewear- my favorite. I also hold a Myriad of other small businesses, like Regal Tru Beauty, and 414Ward Fashion and Styling.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Absolutely not! When I started I was jobless, with my first failed business, broke, and just trying to survive. This road has had plenty of ups and downs, and to be honest 2018 and half of 2019 were downs, but the bright side of being down is there was nowhere else to go but up. I have learned a lot, mainly not to trust people based off their word, get it in writing, and that when it’s time to eat everyone shows up, but not everyone is bringing something substantial to the table. I’ve had a few failed partnerships, and I’ve had people completely rip me off, but I have to keep going!
So, as you know, we’re impressed with 4rame /Regal Tru Beauty – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of and what sets you apart from others.
4Rame (pronounced Frame) is an elite Eyewear company. All the styles of eyewear you see, and that we sell are either custom designs or some of the latest most popular styles you see on celebrities. Every pair of glasses is picked with thought, designed with care, and brought to our website with the person we envision wearing them already in mind.
Regal Tru is a beauty company, started with just hair extensions, and expanded to eyelashes in 2020. We offer quality luxurious hair extensions guaranteed to “Wow”, and make you feel like you are Royalty. Really the idea came from my own personal use but has since expanded to family, friends, and people I meet driving for Lyft and Uber.
I want to make a mark, I can’t say what sets me apart just yet, but if you know me, then you know I don’t do anything halfway. I try to make the most of every experience, and I will always put my customer’s experience first. When I shop for anything I have a respect standard, and I know how I expect stuff to be. I try to deliver the same, if not better, quality of service every time.
So, what’s next? Any big plans?
Honestly in some ways, it’s too soon to tell. I have plans for both brands, but right now the biggest thing for me is finishing school. 4Rame will always be my baby, and just like a child you envision ways to grow that baby and see what it will turn into. Once the summer starts I’ll be posting all the pop up shops festivals We’ll be attending on my website calendar.
Regal Tru I feel is finally ready to spread some wings, so I will be hosting a formal product review and launch party in April. I’m sure it will be a lot of fun.
Currently, I’m working on growing the Two brands under my belt, just getting a good grip on what I have going on now. I’ve seen a mountain of growth since starting in 2018, and I feel like that mountain will only get bigger.
Contact Info:
- Website: 4RAME.com, shopregaltru.com
- Email: info@4rame.com
- Instagram: Moniicole/ 4rame_/ theregaltru
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/4RAMEBY414WARD , https://www.facebook.com/theregaltru/
Image Credit:
Urbancloud3- Cameron Pate
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