Goodbye, January 2023! You’ve been such a wonder Goodbye, January 2023! You’ve been such a wonderful month for me! 🤍 This year, for the first time ever, I decided to start the year off with a focus on only myself. I spent a large part of January celebrating my birthday this year! From delicious dinners and coffee dates to hiking and surprise secret adventures, this month has been full of celebrating and I’ve embraced every single moment of it. After a few years of not feeling quite like myself due to anxiety and depression, it’s great to feel like ME AGAIN! 🎉 I love her and she’s BACK, BABY! In addition to celebrating myself as much as possible, I also honored my mental, physical, and spiritual needs with lots of rest, intentional movement, meditation, and reflection. 

My word for 2023 is community and now that I feel like myself again, I’m so excited to spend the year pouring into my community, while still remembering to fill up my own cup first. 

#january #januaryreflections #selfcare #selfcarefirst #selfcarematters #intentionalliving #intentionallife #beintentional #uniquevintage #velvetdress #blackgirlmagic #blackgirlskillingit #joyfulmoments #joyfulfulmovement #joyfulliving
Snapshots from a beautiful day spent with friends Snapshots from a beautiful day spent with friends who always make my heart happy. Plus a small snippet of me being overjoyed at getting the tiny seat at the back of the train. 
🤍🌳🏰🚂

#intentionalliving #intentionallife #joyfulliving #joyfulmovement #livejoyfully #enjoythemoment #enjoythejourney #happyliving #blackgirldisney #disneymoments #disneygram #orlandoliving #orlandolife #orlandolifestyle #orlandofl #magicalmoments #choosejoy #joyseeker #orlando
I love being able to explore all of the little pat I love being able to explore all of the little paths that exist in Animal Kingdom. All of the gorgeous greenery in this park makes me feel happy, balanced, and calm. Whether it’s a quiet moment at a waterfall, watching birds enjoy the beautiful weather, or trying to see how many different types of plants I can spot, it’s such a peaceful place to spend the day. 🌳🤍

#outdoors #plantlife #nature #naturelovers #walking #animalkingdom #disneysanimalkingdom #wdw #bestdayever #waltdisneyworld #animalkingdomdisney #intentionalliving #livingintentionally #livinginthemoment #joyfulmoments #joyfulliving
Started the year off with some adventure! 🌿🍃 Started the year off with some adventure! 🌿🍃🌳

#intentionalliving #thegreatoutdoors #livingintentionally #livinginthemoment #adventure #adventureisoutthere #nature #enjoynature #goexploring #orlando #orlandoflorida #greenery #plantlife #animalkingdom #dak #disneysanimalkingdom #visitorlando #orlandolocal #stufftodoinorlando
Just some random joyful moments from 2022. 🤍✨ Just some random joyful moments from 2022. 🤍✨

#joyful #joyfulmoments #slowliving #hyggelife #intentionalliving #2022recap #joyfulliving #joyfullife #happymoments #hyggelig #intentionallife #yearofgrowth #yearofgratitude #practicegratitude
Our last closing of 2022! 🎉🎉🎉 So thankfu Our last closing of 2022! 🎉🎉🎉

So thankful to help purchase this 8 bedroom, 6 bathroom, 4034 square foot pool home for our client. This was the perfect way to end an amazing year of growth, challenges, and blessings in our careers.

We are so excited for all the home sales and purchases we will get to be a part of in 2023 and we can’t thank all of our clients enough for trusting us to help make your home related dreams come true! 🏡 

#floridarealestate #floridahomes #orlandohome #orlandoliving #floridarealtor #floridarealestateagent #floridalife #realestateinvestor #orlandolife #movetoorlando #movetoflorida #orlandolocal #floridalocal #buysell #buysellhomes #homebuying #homebuyingprocess #localorlando
Have you been to Animal Kingdom Lodge yet this hol Have you been to Animal Kingdom Lodge yet this holiday season? 🎄 There’s still time! We loved the addition of the gingerbread animals this year and I hope they keep adding to the display. 🦒🦓 The Christmas tree in the main lobby is one of my favorites on property and I’m always a fan of the bread service at Sanaa. 🫓🍽️🌶️

#animalkingdomlodge #christmasdecor #christmastree #christmasdecorations #christmasvibes #christmasseason #disneyworld #wdw #waltdisneyworld #disney #disneygram #disneyparks #disneyfood #disneyblogger #disneyresort #sanaa #orlandothemeparks #themeparks #gingerbreadcookies @disneyparks @waltdisneyworld
These “snow bubbles” smelled like hot cocoa. C These “snow bubbles” smelled like hot cocoa. Christmas magic indeed! Don’t forget to check out The Lights on Jeater Bend in Celebration during its last year ever! It’s free and oh so fun! 

🎄☃️🎄☃️🎄☃️🎄☃️🎄☃️🎄

#christmaslights #christmasdecor #christmaslightshow #christmasiscoming #christmasdecorations #christmasdecorating #celebrationfl #holidaydecor #holidayseason
One of my all time favorite traditions is going to One of my all time favorite traditions is going to see all the human sized gingerbread displays at @waltdisneyworld. They are all beautiful but the gingerbread house at Grand Floridian is my favorite. I love how you can smell it as soon as you walk into the lobby and I love taking a gingerbread shingle home for the perfect Christmas movie snack! 🤍🎄

#christmas #disneychristmas #disneychristmasdecorations #christmasatdisney #gingerbreadhouse #gingerbreadcookies #christmasmagic #disneymagic #wdw #waltdisneyworld #grandfloridian #grandfloridianresort #christmasdecor #christmascookies #hyggechristmas #hyggelifestyle #christmasmoments #christmasmood
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Uncategorized · October 1, 2014

Women In Business: Carmen from The Flair Exchange

Too often in our society, people picture men in their heads when they hear words like, “boss”, “entrepreneur”, or “CEO”. Being a small business owner has put me in touch with so many successful female business owners and entrepreneurs that when I hear these words, I often picture a woman or I just don’t assume anything at all. Women are obviously just as capable as men when it comes to the business world and it is high time that women business owners and entrepreneurs are more visible in the media in our society. This is where the idea for Women in Business was born. Women in Business is a monthly feature that highlights female entrepreneurs and business owners. Not only is it a fantastic opportunity to learn more about small businesses in various fields, but it is a great shopping guide for supporting small businesses.  

 

An Interview with Carmen from The Flair Exchange

Tell us a little bit about your business. How did you decide to start The Flair Exchange? What exactly do you do and how long have you been doing it?

Sure! So, The Flair Exchange really started as a hobby and an excuse to invite my girlfriends over for themed parties like Cinco De Mayo and Oktoberfest. I quickly realized that my aesthetic for party decor was unique and trendy. I wasn’t able to find the kind of decorations I wanted at big box party stores. As a naturally crafty gal, I made my own. I sold a few of the decorations to close friends and then launched an Etsy store in 2010. I’ve since grown The Flair Exchange to be a full e-commerce website, where we have over 50 retailers here in the USA and internationally.  I’m responsible for product design and development.

2014-09-11_0001

What is your favorite product that you offer?

I’m currently crushing on our ‘Sugar-Plum’ Tassel Garland Kit. It’s bright, but the combination is a tad unexpected with hints of rose gold. I’m really loving rose gold right now.

What are some of the pros and cons you experience from working at home?

Up until May of this year, I ran The Flair Exchange from my home office. We moved the office into a commercial space to accommodate our growing team and  an expanding product line. So, while I don’t operate from my home anymore — I did for a bit. Working from home is great, but you’ve got to be disciplined. I’m a worker by nature, so turning off the computer at 5 was really hard for me.  It was really nice to have zero commute time, and my favorite coffee within just a few steps. Also, I never worked in my pajamas. I don’t understand how anyone can be productive in them!

2014-09-11_0002

You work with an awesome team of women. What was the process of hiring them like?

I couldn’t agree more! My team is really awesome and I don’t know what I’d do without them. I started with adding our customer service gal, Sarah. She is a contract employee so adding her was fairly easy. The gals that work here in the studio are true employees, so the paperwork for them is a little more labor intensive. I rely on my accountant and attorney for a lot of advice when it comes to all of the legal stuff. They’ve been incredibly helpful with the hiring process.

What/who inspires you and your work?

When it comes to products I look for trends in fashion, but personally re-charge in the wilderness.

Do you ever find it a challenge to balance your business and your personal life? How do you find your perfect work/life balance?

Sure. When I worked from home and did almost everything on my own it was tough to turn the lights out, but I think every entrepreneur struggles with that. As we’ve added team members balancing work and home has been easier.

2014-09-11_0003

What was the best piece of advice you were given?

I read a lot of business advice via blogs, magazines, books etc. I just can’t get enough of it. When it comes to social media; if you don’t have anything to say, don’t say anything. I’m totally guilty of feeling like we need to be sharing something on Instagram or Facebook everyday, but if we don’t really have anything to say — we take that time to comment on other businesses’ status updates now. It’s a much better way of building community than forcing a status update.

What is your favorite thing about owning your own business?

I love being my own boss! It requires a lot of work (I mean way more than you could possibly imagine), but it’s really great being the one that calls the shots.

What has been the most surprising element of owning a business?

Growing the business has come with quite a few surprises and mostly financial ones. As we expand, our overhead does too. It’s so important to make sure our pricing allows for us to expand and grow.

2014-09-11_00042014-09-11_0005

What goals do you have for your business over the next five years?

Over the next 5 years, I’d love to see The Flair Exchange expand to offer more lifestyle items. Currently we focus solely on party pieces, but our party philosophy easily spills into everyday life.

How do you define success as a business owner?

A key measurement of our success has always been repeat customers. I know we are doing something right if people are coming back or sharing our products with friends. Sure, there is an indication of success in the traditional sense if we look at figures and stats. But, the customer is really where success begins.

2014-09-11_0006

In: Uncategorized · Tagged: business women, small business, small business owners, women in business

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Hi! I'm Charisma, a creative entrepreneur who loves to help others reach their full potential. I'm a photographer, a writer, and the owner of Kismet + Charisma, an online boutique that pairs minimalist, cozy, boho style with activism. In my little corner of the internet you'll find my latest travels, what I'm currently reading, how I practing Black joy as resistence, and how I'm finding hygge in my daily life. Pull up a chair, grab a cup of tea, and stay awhile.

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Goodbye, January 2023! You’ve been such a wonder Goodbye, January 2023! You’ve been such a wonderful month for me! 🤍 This year, for the first time ever, I decided to start the year off with a focus on only myself. I spent a large part of January celebrating my birthday this year! From delicious dinners and coffee dates to hiking and surprise secret adventures, this month has been full of celebrating and I’ve embraced every single moment of it. After a few years of not feeling quite like myself due to anxiety and depression, it’s great to feel like ME AGAIN! 🎉 I love her and she’s BACK, BABY! In addition to celebrating myself as much as possible, I also honored my mental, physical, and spiritual needs with lots of rest, intentional movement, meditation, and reflection. 

My word for 2023 is community and now that I feel like myself again, I’m so excited to spend the year pouring into my community, while still remembering to fill up my own cup first. 

#january #januaryreflections #selfcare #selfcarefirst #selfcarematters #intentionalliving #intentionallife #beintentional #uniquevintage #velvetdress #blackgirlmagic #blackgirlskillingit #joyfulmoments #joyfulfulmovement #joyfulliving
Snapshots from a beautiful day spent with friends Snapshots from a beautiful day spent with friends who always make my heart happy. Plus a small snippet of me being overjoyed at getting the tiny seat at the back of the train. 
🤍🌳🏰🚂

#intentionalliving #intentionallife #joyfulliving #joyfulmovement #livejoyfully #enjoythemoment #enjoythejourney #happyliving #blackgirldisney #disneymoments #disneygram #orlandoliving #orlandolife #orlandolifestyle #orlandofl #magicalmoments #choosejoy #joyseeker #orlando
I love being able to explore all of the little pat I love being able to explore all of the little paths that exist in Animal Kingdom. All of the gorgeous greenery in this park makes me feel happy, balanced, and calm. Whether it’s a quiet moment at a waterfall, watching birds enjoy the beautiful weather, or trying to see how many different types of plants I can spot, it’s such a peaceful place to spend the day. 🌳🤍

#outdoors #plantlife #nature #naturelovers #walking #animalkingdom #disneysanimalkingdom #wdw #bestdayever #waltdisneyworld #animalkingdomdisney #intentionalliving #livingintentionally #livinginthemoment #joyfulmoments #joyfulliving
Started the year off with some adventure! 🌿🍃 Started the year off with some adventure! 🌿🍃🌳

#intentionalliving #thegreatoutdoors #livingintentionally #livinginthemoment #adventure #adventureisoutthere #nature #enjoynature #goexploring #orlando #orlandoflorida #greenery #plantlife #animalkingdom #dak #disneysanimalkingdom #visitorlando #orlandolocal #stufftodoinorlando
Just some random joyful moments from 2022. 🤍✨ Just some random joyful moments from 2022. 🤍✨

#joyful #joyfulmoments #slowliving #hyggelife #intentionalliving #2022recap #joyfulliving #joyfullife #happymoments #hyggelig #intentionallife #yearofgrowth #yearofgratitude #practicegratitude
Our last closing of 2022! 🎉🎉🎉 So thankfu Our last closing of 2022! 🎉🎉🎉

So thankful to help purchase this 8 bedroom, 6 bathroom, 4034 square foot pool home for our client. This was the perfect way to end an amazing year of growth, challenges, and blessings in our careers.

We are so excited for all the home sales and purchases we will get to be a part of in 2023 and we can’t thank all of our clients enough for trusting us to help make your home related dreams come true! 🏡 

#floridarealestate #floridahomes #orlandohome #orlandoliving #floridarealtor #floridarealestateagent #floridalife #realestateinvestor #orlandolife #movetoorlando #movetoflorida #orlandolocal #floridalocal #buysell #buysellhomes #homebuying #homebuyingprocess #localorlando
Have you been to Animal Kingdom Lodge yet this hol Have you been to Animal Kingdom Lodge yet this holiday season? 🎄 There’s still time! We loved the addition of the gingerbread animals this year and I hope they keep adding to the display. 🦒🦓 The Christmas tree in the main lobby is one of my favorites on property and I’m always a fan of the bread service at Sanaa. 🫓🍽️🌶️

#animalkingdomlodge #christmasdecor #christmastree #christmasdecorations #christmasvibes #christmasseason #disneyworld #wdw #waltdisneyworld #disney #disneygram #disneyparks #disneyfood #disneyblogger #disneyresort #sanaa #orlandothemeparks #themeparks #gingerbreadcookies @disneyparks @waltdisneyworld
These “snow bubbles” smelled like hot cocoa. C These “snow bubbles” smelled like hot cocoa. Christmas magic indeed! Don’t forget to check out The Lights on Jeater Bend in Celebration during its last year ever! It’s free and oh so fun! 

🎄☃️🎄☃️🎄☃️🎄☃️🎄☃️🎄

#christmaslights #christmasdecor #christmaslightshow #christmasiscoming #christmasdecorations #christmasdecorating #celebrationfl #holidaydecor #holidayseason
One of my all time favorite traditions is going to One of my all time favorite traditions is going to see all the human sized gingerbread displays at @waltdisneyworld. They are all beautiful but the gingerbread house at Grand Floridian is my favorite. I love how you can smell it as soon as you walk into the lobby and I love taking a gingerbread shingle home for the perfect Christmas movie snack! 🤍🎄

#christmas #disneychristmas #disneychristmasdecorations #christmasatdisney #gingerbreadhouse #gingerbreadcookies #christmasmagic #disneymagic #wdw #waltdisneyworld #grandfloridian #grandfloridianresort #christmasdecor #christmascookies #hyggechristmas #hyggelifestyle #christmasmoments #christmasmood
I love the Florida inspired Christmas decor at the I love the Florida inspired Christmas decor at the Grand Floridian! As a kid who always begged to feed the swans at Lake Eola, seeing swans in Christmas decor in Orlando just feels right. 🎄🦢

#christmasdecor #christmastree #floridachristmas #disneychristmas #christmasatdisney #grandfloridian #grandfloridianresort #christmastree #swandecor #holidayseason #happyholidays #christmasseason #happychristmas
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