Oneness Interview

1.    Name: Rae'Esha Shabazz

2.    Do you know what “Oneness” is?
I know that it is a collaborative effort, that consisted of a bunch guys who shared a passion for shoes and so they started a business.

3.    What is your definition “Oneness?”
My definition of "Oneness" is collaboration and cohesion, coming together as ONE!

4.    About how many times have you visited/shopped at “Oneness”?
I've been there a couple of times, I'd say about 6. But I've never shopped there. I went more so to say high to a friend!

5.    Before there current location, did you even shop there?
No but I did visit, it was quaint. They've definitely grown!

6.    What is the atmosphere like inside of “Oneness”?
The atmosphere is very eclectic and different. Its like a cool kids hangout!

7.    Are you familiar with the history behind “Oneness”?
No, other than it took a group of guys to make it happen!

8.    Are you interested in starting your own small business?
Yes, I currently sew and would like to open up a boutique for people who like affordable fashion.

9.    What are some things that have motivated you to start a business?
My motivation is Black entrepreneurship and seeing my looks on other people.

10. What type of business is it that you are interested in starting?
I mentioned before,  interested in opening up an apparel/ accessories boutique! 

11.  What products would you sale? How do they differ from what “Oneness” is selling
I would sell hats, shoes, make up, clothes anything needed to make a complete outfit!

12. What would you name your small business?
My small business is going to be named SHERO because I'm all about Black female empowerment! 
13.  Have you started on a business plan?
No, I'm working on my portfolio now and how to copywrite my business name. I'm looking into more of the business aspect as I go!

14.  Are you interested in being a Co-owner? If so. Why?
I'm looking into being the only owner of my own business,  but I'll definitely put my people on.

15.  In starting your own business, are there any things that you would like to mimic or imitate that “Oneness” has done?
I would like to stay true to my friends, who pursued this business with me and also the mentality that as a business and person, there is room to grow!

16.  Would you be interested in opening a boutique here in Lexington?
I would, I think Lexington targets the main audience I'm looking into which is college students, your everyday girl, who ever she may be!

Thanks again.

After experiencing this interview with a young entrepreneur, I have learned that it is not easy nor is it for everyone to start a business. Each small business created seems to have a background story or even a drive that helps the creators to make their dream possible. Small businesses appear to be symbolic to independence or even just proof that anyone can do it. I’ve always wondered what goes into making a business happen or even why it takes so long to put your plan in action. A business plan or the blueprint of a business is the framework for your success. You only get out what you put into this project. From what I have heard from a driven young entrepreneur, it is not easy to make it happen, but once you are able to see something that you created from scratch standing on its own, there is not feeling that can compare. You gain a sense of pride to see that the dream you created has finally became a reality.

Stability

      The start of “Oneness” developed in October 2007. This shop was located in the middle of Lexington’s shopping center. It took a couple years for the boutique to relocate back to the University of Kentucky territory. The plan for this boutique is to continue to relocate to spread the word this store and maybe break off into several different branches.

         After reading the summary that was provided, I asked myself “does all of the moving and relocating effect the amount of customers that come and go on a daily bases. I understand the strategy that the co-owners Joe Staley and Steven Coffman are using, but at the same time moving locations time after time doesn’t seem to provide closure or stability for the business or the staff. So I began to wonder how the shop has continued to grow even though it appears that every time they change locations, it almost seems ad if it’s a new start for the company.

         Throughout the article, they explain that the location on S. Limestone was still one of many locations of “Oneness”. As he business grew, they felt as if they had to find a bigger space to accommodate off of the customers that were entering and exiting the clothing boutique.

         “Oneness” has become a very successful business and is continuing to reach for higher goals. The staff doesn’t settle for good, they want the best for themselves and their store.

http://www.fashionsauce.com/stores/oneness-boutique

Copyright Fashion Sauce 2009 - 2014

About Oneness Boutique

         

287

The article written by Joy Priest talks about the history of “Oneness” The boutique is located on 287 S. Limestone. The address helped contribute to the name of “The Stoop”, which is also another name that this clothing boutique went by. “The Stoop” quickly changed to “Oneness287” once they found that this was apart of their address as well as seeing it on the steps to their fashion vendor. The co-owner Joe Staley happily explains that he is able to bring several different states together inside of one store. Along with some of the original UK apparel, they also sell a wide variety of sneakers and clothing brands. The article explains that the originators of the All Cats Everything and the CATS hat were once apart of a struggle. Co-owner Steve Coffman explained how they started out in a small dungeon where they were only provided very few items to sell. He says that this was the only way to get new brands is to grow.

            The staff and “Oneness” team explains the importance of working together in order to move up in the business industry. This seems to be apart of the reason that “Oneness” is named “Oneness”. “We needed something that meant teamwork,” Staley said. “It was a lot of work for us to pull together” (Littlefoot. Web). As these young men continued their journeys to becoming a store, they quickly labeled themselves as “the stoop family.” “[A stoopie] is someone who took a vow, so to speak, on knowing and believing that there should be change.,” Warren Edwards, also known around Lexington as DjWarrenPEACE, said. “We all live by an unwritten code. It has never been spoke of or confirmed, it just exists.” (Littlefoot. Web).

            The “stoop” better known as “Oneness” is just a few blocks away from campus. The location seemed to be a way to help get this business involved with the activities that have happened here on campus along with the things that happen in the community. This is not only a boutique, it is a fashions store that gets involved in community service.

            This article shows that the boutique has more to offer than a fashion statement. Even though the boutique is based on fashion, they also make a goal to reach out to the community. This would be helpful to my research to show that behind the business of “Oneness” and all of the struggles, they still strive to help those who are in need. Most people aren’t able to see what all goes into creating a business but after researching and taking a second look, I noticed that the pretty picture that we see is not what really occurs. I began to ask myself questions on how or even why they decided to keep moving location. Throughout the article, I see that this appeared to be a way to draw in more customers by moving two blocks away from the university. The new location seemed to have made it easier to sell their merchandise.

            “Oneness” is not just a boutique, it a store with a driven passion to never give up and help those who are in  need as the “Oneness Team” climbs toward the top.

Name of Source: Urban fashion store facilitates community

Written by: Joy Priest

Date: October 11, 2010

Source: http://kykernel.com/2010/10/11/urban-fashion-store-facilitates-community/

by Joy Priest

Optimism

The topic of the summary is mainly focused on how small business outlays are weak and optimism in the economy. After several years of attempting to be optimistic, the National Federal of Independent Businesses do monthly reports to show how the small businesses are doing. The percentage of optimism had dropped 0.2 percent the last time they did the survey. The survey or evaluation seems to fluctuate but periodically there will be a time where the small businesses would remain optimistic.

            I felt that this research would help with my paper but after I analyzed the article that was provided, I noticed that this would not help me with my research goal or topic, which is to find out more about the background and history of the store.

            Even though this topic wasn’t exactly what I was looking for, I still managed to ask questions about the information that was provided. I wanted to know how they collected their data without making it bias or one sided. Also I wanted to know around what time it is that tis data was collected.

            Though the data wasn’t useful for my project, it was still beneficial for the optimism of small businesses.

Small Businesses Growing Less Optimistic: NFIB

            Written on:

            Written by: Eddie, Nathan

            Source: eweek. 8/15/12. P5-5. 1p

            Web: http://eds.a.ebscohost.com/ehost/detail?vid=11&sid=d87692793a98-458f999d3b04673c5b74%40sessionmgr4002&hid=4113&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZSZzY29wZT1zaXRl#db=bth&AN=91662149