Meet Female Entrepreneur Marchel’le Recinos
Now a female entrepreneur, Marchel’le Recinos began as an influencer who turned her social following into a business by opening TheCurveSlayer’sCloset, an online boutique for plus-sized, curvy women. In honor of Women’s Equality Day, we interviewed her to learn about her workflows and vision. Not only does she spend time building her brand, but she also continues to work as a content creator, helping bigger companies display their brands as well. During her time with Social Native she’s worked with brands such as Frito-Lay, Facebook, and Graze.
Q: Tell us about your journey of starting TheCurveSlayer’sCloset.
My desire to start my own business was a result of the natural frustration I had with the lack of inclusivity in fashion for full figured women. I spent the early years of my life wearing adult clothes in grade school, simply because the kids section just wasn’t tailored to my unique body type. When I began doing some plus size modeling and influencing, thousands of women in the full figured community gravitated towards me on social media, because of my fearlessness in the realm of body confidence. After some time and experience, I knew that this was something that I could do for myself, so that then became a sought after goal of mine.
TheCurveSlayer’sCloset was initially birthed in 2015. I came up with the idea of auctioning off my lightly worn clothing items via my Instagram page. After the success of this idea blew my mind, I decided to focus more diligently on pursuing my long-time goal of opening an online store of my own, for women whom I inspired through my service as a plus size body positive influencer on social media. It is important to note that I made this decision in the midst of working a full-time job and studying full time to obtain my Bachelor’s degree! Risky right!? I know, but if you looked up the word “determined” in the dictionary, you’d probably see my face! I had teachers, family, and friends who strongly advised against this decision, but something in me remained unshakeable on what I knew God was calling me to do.
“The CurveSlayer’s Closet is the vehicle through which I inspire, encourage, empower women of all shapes and sizes across the world.”
Q: Tell us about how social media impacts your business.
Because I knew the impact that social media had on my career as an influencer, I did not hesitate when it came to sharing my business on social media. I began sharing my business on social media as soon as I “unofficially” launched in 2015. In my opinion, social media is what drives culture and the world we live in, in both good and bad ways. It’s a super powerful tool that has strengthened my business exponentially, and I believe all entrepreneurs should invest the time and money into building that social media presence.
Q: What’s the most difficult thing you’ve encountered or had to overcome in your journey of being a female entrepreneur?
I would say the most difficult thing I’ve had to overcome as a female entrepreneur is the idea that I’m supposed to have it all figured out. Even as someone who has ran a small business for six years, I still don’t have all the answers and that is okay, because God is still pruning & refining me throughout the course of my journey.
Q: Has there been a moment in your career when you felt you made an impact?
Honestly, seeing my customers go out of their way to send me thank you emails, postcards, direct messages, and photos of themselves wearing my brand for some of the most monumental moments in their lives, is a blessing! The simple fact that people are interested in and support what God is doing through me, is confirmation enough that I am making an impact and operating in my purpose.
Q: Why do you think it’s important to have more female entrepreneurs?
I feel that it’s important to have more female business owners because it goes against everything that culture has taught us in the past, and still pushes on us even today. In order for us to raise our daughters to be a generation of women who are strong, courageous, accountable, responsible, driven, equipped, and knowledgeable about how to attain wealth for themselves and their families, we have to model that for them! We carry the blueprint that our daughters will model in the future for their daughters. We have to set our future generations up to win!
Q: When did you start working with Social Native, and why did you join our platform?
It’s been so long, but I think I started working with Social Native in about 2015. I joined the platform because I love the fact that Social Native provides a positive space for creatives in every niche, to create content that they love, while building their platforms and wealth at the same time.
Q: What was your favorite campaign that you have worked on with Social Native and why?
My favorite campaign with Social Native would have to be my most recent campaign for Facebook Business Partners. I loved the fact that this campaign allowed me to give my audience an inside look at what my day to day operations look like as a small business owner. It also allowed me to share important resources that have helped me to succeed as an entrepreneur, so that other businesses could utilize those resources to thrive in their field of expertise. It was truly an amazing campaign and I loved that it allowed flexibility for me to create content that best represented TheCurveSlayer’sCloset.
Q: What’s one piece of advice you would like to give aspiring female entrepreneurs?
The best advice I could give to aspiring business women is the same advice God gives me everyday: DO NOT GIVE UP! The journey is rough and it will test you. Honestly, I currently have many days where I feel like I’m done! I feel like I could be doing more, or that my business should be more developed. But, even through the trials, and tribulations, always remember WHY you started in the first place! Those doubtful days pass. And most of the time, it’s all lies! Get out of your head!
Q: What does Women’s Equality mean to you?
In my opinion, a huge part of Women’s equality for me is thriving in any arena that God has called you to, with the support and empowerment of other thriving women. Nowadays, culture has conditioned us to think that we have to compete or be better than the next woman, and that irritates me more than anything! We achieve true equality for women more freely when we realize that we can achieve so much more success when we establish a sense of community amongst other women, rather than trying to be the best at doing our own thing. Be the best version of YOU, while building community with other strong women to reach success…that’s where the magic happens!
In order for us to raise our daughters to be a generation of women who are strong, courageous, accountable, responsible, driven, equipped, and knowledgeable about how to attain wealth for themselves and their families, we have to model that for them! – Marchel’le Recinos
