For years, the assumption that women are not as serious or business-savvy as their male counterparts regularly hasbeen propagated. Mother-daughter duo Nickia Murray and Autum Murray-Burns never have bought into society’s stereotypes. Overcoming obstacles is something both have done their entire lives. When an impediment presents itself, rather than complaining or playing the victim, a more strategic approach is utilized. Not only are Nickia and Autum a tight-knit unit, but also are business partners.
Last year, Nickia, 44, and Autum, 22, launched Dazzling Secrets, an enthusiastic party event where unique custom jewelry with suggested retail prices between $25-$1,500. It all began after Nickia watched a friend do something similar and instantly thought it would be fun if she and her daughter did the same. As Autum recalls, one week she was focused on watching a movie in the living room and the next, she and her mother were laying the foundation for their business. Colorful rings are the most common Dazzling Secrets purchase with necklaces a close second.
While Autum comes up with many of the audience interaction concepts, Nickia handles more of the day-by-day logistics. Every Monday and Thursday around 7 p.m., the two host a Facebook live session either in the living room of their home or the storage warehouse that Nickia owns. As soon as you tune in, the genuine exuberance between the two just jumps off the screen.
Neither knows what to expect when they turn on the camera. One week they could be doing an impromptu dance. The next, they could be asking the audience pop culture trivia questions.
“Although we are interacting with our watchers, we are also interacting with each other. This approach allows us to have more fun, which bodes well for a larger viewership,” said Nickia. For as long she can remember, Autum says her mother told her that anything can be accomplished if she has the right approach and is willing to put in the necessary work. One such example came when she was in middle school. “She asked me what I wanted to be in life one day and I mentioned several things. Regardless of what my answer was, the support she displayed never wavered,” she said.
Growing up, Nickia says the word “tenaciousness” best describes her daughter. Why? Because she was never the type to take no for an answer, Nickia said with a smile before adding, “She has always had a certain grit and determination about her.”
As a single parent Nickia also regularly made sure that Autum and her younger brother made plenty of childhood memories that they could reminisce when they got older. “When I think about home, it’s not just a house or a location. Home to me is where my family is. No parent is perfect, but I made sure that my children had an enjoyable childhood and were taught the right values,” said Nickia. “What I remember most about Autum when she was young is that she was very tender-hearted and always ready to go. My daughter was born early, and basically came out running.”
A 2016 Amherst County High graduate, Autum graduated from Ferrum College in 2020 with a degree in computer technology and information systems with an emphasis in web design and programming. “I chose Ferrum because I was able to play tennis, stay close to home and maintain relationships with many of my friends,” she said. If someone would have told Nickia a decade ago that she and her daughter would own and operate a business in 2021, she said she probably would not have believed them. Despite the 22-year age gap, Nickia says that they are the best of friends. Because of their relationship, they can be brutally honest with each other. When Autum has an idea that differs from her mother’s, she has no problem expressing herself in a revelatory manner. “We decided early on that we wanted to have full control over our own ideas and concept of the business and become a part of something bigger than ourselves. That does not mean that we agree on everything 100 percent of the time. She has never tried to hinder me from speaking my mind, which is just another reason why I love her so much,” Autum said.
Nickia vividly remembers the first time they hosted a Facebook live session. Both were incredibly nervous and thought that the audience would instantly pick up on it. The feedback they received, however, indicated otherwise. It took some time, but once they got the ball rolling, there was no turning back.
Filling up two hours of space twice a week used to cause apprehension. Now doing so is second nature. There are many reasons Nickia wanted to start a business with her daughter. At the top of the list was knowing without a shadow of a doubt that Autum could be counted on to do whatever was required to get the job done. “The word lazy and Autum never has and never will belong in the same sentence. She is one of the most driven people that I have ever met. I knew that if she did not know something, she wouldn’t be afraid to ask questions. Everybody is not willing to do that,” Nickia said.
Working so closely in a sometimes-high-pressure environment can cause its share of challenges, something both were aware of on day one. Because neither is afraid to speak her mind, functioning as a duo has been an even better experience than either could have imagined. Crucial to a strong mother-daughter relationship is trust, said Autum. Our relationship works, added Nickia, because we hold each other accountable.
Both acknowledge that Dazzling Secrets would not have been possible without the support of family and friends. What started as an idea at the dinner table has turned into a profitable business. Dazzling Secrets has hundreds of likes across its social media platforms with a growing following. Additional information can be found on Facebook.
Looking to the future, Nickia said she wants to be able to reflect that they had fun while making a profit at the same time. “Getting to work with my best friend has been one of my greatest pleasures of my life. I couldn’t imagine doing this with anyone else. Words can’t describe how proud I am of the woman that Autum has grown into,” Nickia said. “Her future is as bright as her beautiful smile.”
Autumn said, “My mother is one of my biggest role models. I have always looked up to her and wanted to follow in her footsteps. We have made countless memories simply by being ourselves around each other. There isn’t a mother in the world that I would trade mine for.”
The only thing remaining on this duo’s bucket list is to make even more memories in the future. When asked what’s the best piece of advice they can give other mothers and daughters, both responded, “be patient with each other, accept the fact that mistakes will be made and never get to a point where you can’t make fun of yourself.”
Tags: small business
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