Today we’d like to introduce you to Alexis Waters.
Alexis, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
In my own mind, I am the queen of Hoop Nation (behind Khloe Kardashian, of course.) I have been wearing Hoop earrings since I came out of the womb basically. I appeared on Season 21 of ABC’s The Bachelor and Season 4 of ABC’s Bachelor in Paradise where I would rock hoops with any occasion. I would pair hoops with bikinis, rose ceremony dresses, and yes even with my shark (dolphin) costume. I believe that hoop earrings spice up any outfit and provides a sense of confidence. ! I started this company knowing absolutely nothing about owning a business, running a business (by myself), or what it took to develop a successful brand. Even today, I still don’t know it all and continue to learn every day. But what I DID know was that running my own business and creating something that I was extremely passionate about was my dream. Big dreams and even bigger hoops has been my main focus over the last year. Hoops have always brought me a sense of confidence and by starting this business I’ve been given the opportunity to connect with women all over the country (+ Canada… & even ICELAND!) in hopes of sharing that same feeling. That is and always will be my #1 goal – to gift every customer with a pair of hoops that they can wear to fully embrace the CONFIDENT BOSS BITCH we all have inside of us.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
NOT AT ALL. HAHA, there has definitely been a lot of ups and downs. First and foremost, I never owned a business, or even knew how to start a business, but I just basically taught myself everything that I know now and I still am learning every single day. I was starting my business in Dallas while still living in Los Angeles, heading home to New Jersey for holidays, so I was bringing my hoops back and forth and doing shipping whenever I was planted. My boyfriend is extremely helpful and he has a lot of background with business so he has taught me so much and really has been a huge support system ever since I started. My friend Raven Gates (who was on The Bachelor with me) has had a clothing store for years so she has really guided me and I call her maybe 10 times a day with a bunch of dumb questions that she answers so easily since she’s had such experience. But to answer your question, definitely not smooth, but 100% worth it.
Hoop Nation By Alexis – what should we know? What do you do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Hoop Nation By Alexis is an online store with a variety of hoop earrings. I have been wearing hoops since I can remember, whether it was wearing a costume on the opening night of The Bachelor, or fist-pumping at the Jersey Shore. Hoop Earrings has always been my personal favorite accessory. Hoop Nation By Alexis offers different patterns, sizes, colors and textures of hoop earrings. I just feel that hoops have always brought me a sense of security and confidence. I am proud to wake up every morning and still be so passionate and creative with my company and have so much to look forward too. I pour my heart and soul into this brand and I want every customer to feel that love and I want them to feel empowered when they join Hoop Nation. My company is more than just an online store, I want it to be a community where all women get to be their authentic, badass, confident selves.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
Maybe just being able to find my passion in life and being so happy waking up every day and be doing something that I love and providing costumers with a message of “If I can do it, so can you.” I literally knew nothing about owning a business and here I am a year and a half later, still LOVING every second of it. Also, I never wanted to depend on anybody (especially a man) for money, and I always wanted to have something to call my own. I also get to do a bunch of funny videos as marketing for my company which brings laughter to customers (well, I hope they laugh because then that’s awkward, haha) and I love making people laugh and I want to continue show girls/women that you can start your own business, have a passion, and pursue it with a lot of hard work and dedication anything is possible.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.hoopnationbyalexis.com
- Phone: 201-978-9105
- Email: hoopnationbyalexis@gmail.com
- Instagram: @hoopnationbyalexis
- Twitter: @hoopsbyalexis
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Georgia Browne
October 24, 2019 at 3:45 am
Alexis, your grandmother, Marie, is so very proud of you and your deserve every accolade.. You have an inspiring story and I wish you the very best in life. And yes, I watched you on Shark Tank.
Georgia