On a hot and humid July 23- Saturday evening, 90's Hip Hop and R & B bumped through speakers filling the atmosphere as the doors swung open. Greeting guests with a warm smile, an open arms welcome and directing them to red velvet cupcakes, Moscato, salsa and chips, owner Tionna Smalls tapped into a market that some wouldn't even think about- bloggers.
They came from New Jersey, Long Island and from the five boroughs of New York City. They came to visit, take pictures and blog about VH1's Tionna Smalls' accessories boutique- Loveys.
Located on a major vein of Brooklyn's section of Bedford Stuyvesant, passers by stopped and looked through the window of the pink high ceiling boutique that was filled with women and a sprinkle of men- all surrounding one woman- Tionna Smalls.
Surrounding Tionna Smalls were wall pictures of past and present women of "divaness," uniqueness and strength including Marylin Monroe, Lena Horne, Mary J Blige, and of course Brooklyn's own Lil Kim.
As she encouraged bloggers to network with each other- while directing her paid interns to assist with the needs of bloggers and costumers, she talked with bloggers as if they were at a family reunion catching up on old times.
"There are two types of people in our [African American] community. Those that get stuck and those that do it big. When I quit my job, there was no turning back. I do it big," Tionna said with conviction and confidence.
Bloggers wowed at facts unknown to fans and media including her beginnings in entrepreneurship as a teen selling hand made pillows, to her working for years within the non profit sector- building her foundation in sociology- in which she earned her B.A at Stony Brook University.
Of course the day wouldn't go by without Tionna giving some advice on life. "Stay away from negative people. That face can be discouraging," as she told bloggers about her personal changes including loosing weight and taking her career to the next level.
The boutique not only features great accessories but also has its own glam section. From fierce eye brows to a red carpet face- make up artist Chyna brings Loveys to the next level of the personal shopping experience.
Having great raffles for bloggers, companies, including gifts from Sleeve Jewelery and Twinkle Toes NC, gave-a-way some great products to lucky winners who would then tell the world of their fab goodies.
Bloggers were also given a 25% discount for the day.
The world will soon know that Loveys is a staple business in Brooklyn, New York- thanks to "Bloggers Night Out."
Smalls projects next years earnings to be well within the six figure range and will continue to bring new and unique items into the store including shoes. She is in the process of establishing a store in Atlanta, Ga.
Attendees were given a Doll Phace cd and a T Shirt from I AM CULTURE (International Design).
Follow Tionna and her shop on Twitter @TionnaSmalls or @ShopLoveys
Loveys Accessories Boutique
377 Marcus Garvey Blvd.
Brooklyn, NY 11221
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