Ever since I started TheBlondeMisfit in 2015, I have sought to improve the lives of fellow marginalized groups, women of color, and people in general by making content and art that reflects themselves. Inevitably, if one never sees themselves reflected in media, in art, in politics or in culture, it almost erases their identity of being, thus how Black people became penned as ‘magical’ or ‘mythical’, because in a way, we exist…yet in a realm of otherworldliness through the lens of other people.
The first time I met Essence Murjani, she was creating beautiful #BlackGirlMagic necklaces; undeniably, appropriate for the speed and trajectory of the movement within the community. However her newest feat, Coloring Pins, has shaken up a different community who not only get to support the aspects of black culture we love, but literally wear our political agendas on our lapels. TheBlondeMisfit chatted with the entrepreneur on starting a second business, why it’s important for one to see themselves in pins, and what’s next:
Tell us about yourself!
My name is Essence Hayes, from the Bronx. I’m a creative at heart, a pin designer, and jewelry maker.
What inspired you to start your businesses? How did you get your start starting Coloring Pins? What is the meaning and purpose behind the business and what are you hoping to give to your community by providing cool pins?
Being broke inspired me, haha. I started my first crystal jewelry business because I was dead broke and needed to eat–I had no other choice but to make something happen. I had gotten fired a couple weeks before my birthday and I was (in my opinion) too old to be broke and without options.
I started ColoringPins because I wanted to wear pins but didn’t see any that I connected to. I didn’t want to wear pink cupcakes and unicorns pins. The first collection started out as a statement collection in direct response to the media crowning Kim Kardashian as the originator of cornrows. In the collection, there was a girl with cornrows and underneath it said Original. There was also a girl with bantu knots that said “culture”, a pin that celebrated our hair which is often criticized, policed and copied. You can’t tell us those styles are unprofessional and unkept, but then turn around and make them fashionable.
Its unfortunate that people can walk in and out of giftshops empty handed because they can’t find anything they connect with. You don’t need to settle for anything either. I wanted to add more color to the pin game and provide options for us.
How do you juggle running and operating two businesses? How is it being a product-based business as a woman of color?
I’m not juggling it, I made the decision to the jewelry company on hold. I was making every necklace by hand as ColoringPins was picking up, and it hasn’t slowed down. It’s hard to stop prepping, packing and shipping to make necklaces. If I can’t do it to the best of my abilities, I’m not going to do it. I love my jewelry company and I really do want to start up again, but when the time is right, when I have more help, and when I can focus on the product.
Being a one woman show is not easy and not always fun. I juggle a lot of hats but I’m making it work and learning as I grow. When I start building my team, they will have to be BETTER than me because I think I’ve set the standard pretty high.
Walk us through a day in your life as a business owner.
Every day is different because I don’t have a set schedule and I do love my freedom. I’m starting to think that I may need a schedule because laundry doesn’t get done haha. Usually I wake up, check social media (terrible) for anything that may have happened overnight, and comments that I may need to delete or block. Then I do any prep work and work on orders. I may take photos of pins and if it’s a post day, I’ll work on posts and some ads. If it’s a ship day, I’m pushing on social media to get last minute orders in and heading to the post office.
What are some of the obstacles you’ve faced while growing and scaling?
I remember when I first started out and went through my first holiday season, I was DONE. The day I packed the last holiday order, I was completely wiped. I may have passed out if I had one more order to fulfill. I was working on a small HP laptop that was about to give out which made everything 10 times slower. Growth spurts don’t come with instruction booklets so you have to adapt QUICKLY. Financially, you have to get used to making a little more change. I struggled with buying a laptop that I needed, because it was so much money that I wasn’t used to spending. I used to think I would never be able to afford a MacBook Pro. Mentally I wasn’t ready for that kind of leveling up but I had to. Physically, I probably need to get in the gym and work on my stamina because I’m done by the end of a long day, haha.
Is there such a thing as a work-life balance to you?
Yes and it looks different for everyone. What’s most important is making sure YOU are good because if you aren’t then there’s no business. That has to come before anything. I de-plug by going out to eat and binging on Netflix.
What’s the best and worst advice you’ve ever received?
Best advice so far, I’m not even sure. But Arsha Jones or Rohan Gilkes probably said something profound. The worst advice probably went in one ear and out the other.
What’s next for Coloring Pins?
Expanding the line for ColoringPins, getting in more stores across the states and truly making ColoringPins a household name.
Whats next for Essence?
Who knows. I didn’t even plan any of this.
What advice would you give to anyone trying to do what you do?
For anyone trying to do what I do, I say put in the work and add you into the world. Don’t try and be another someone else.
I think business owners need to really make themselves legitimate. Don’t limit yourself to a DM and Inbox business. There is SO much information out here, it’s a bit overwhelming but it’s free and accessible. Use the tools.
Anything else you’d like to add?
I think I’ve rambled enough!
