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How This Boutique Owner Is Rebuilding After Looting Destroyed Her Business
When Princess Pope opened her Dallas store eight years ago, she wanted to provide a space where chic, fashion-forward men and women could come to shop, vibe, and find common ground. She built an IG following of more than 25,000 followers, launched pop-ups to expand the brand, and worked to motivate others to pursue entrepreneurship through speaking and advocacy. Her store joined the ranks of more than 12 million women-owned enterprises killing the game, and she also became part of a tribe of the fastest-growing entrepreneur group in the country as a black female CEO.
"I'm originally from California and had a boutique there for five years," Pope recalled during an exclusive xoNecole interview. "I visited Dallas and I just fell in love with it. I knew that with my next store, I wanted to serve both men and women, that way we would be marketing to [everyone], and that's when Guns and Roses Boutique came about. I found the perfect location in downtown Dallas, and we just took off. We've catered to the Dallas Mavericks, the Cowboys, and a bunch of different entrepreneurs. We are fashion, entertainment and retail therapy rolled up into one giant space."
With the support of loyal customers, friends, and extended family, Pope was able to sustain a successful retail business. The graduate of LA's Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising was finally doing her thing, realizing her dream of being her own boss, and on the glow-up---until about a week ago.
A peaceful protest in the downtown and Deep Ellum districts had reportedly been held during the day, but by nightfall, nearby shops were ransacked. Pope returned to her business only to find that it was among those that had been vandalized and looted.
"When I got to the store, it was so devastating," she said. "It was really bad. Glass was still dripping from the front window as I walked in. They wiped out everything. I was so sad. I just stood in the middle of the store watching how all my hard work had gone down the drain in a matter of minutes."
Image Courtesy of Princess Pope
We can all agree that the past few months have been more than tough. Besides COVID-19 still lurking around, the current climate has been filled with unrest, fear, uprising, and challenges after George Floyd, an unarmed black man, died during a Minneapolis arrest at the hands of a white police officer. Despite the unity and vitality of peaceful demonstrations, counter-elements have emerged, negatively affecting minority businesses that were already hit hard by months of being closed.
"We have been working so hard on growing and ramping up and then COVID-19 hit, and now this," Mahisha Dellinger, the CEO of CURLS and a mentor to Pope, said in a statement. "When I heard her voice, I knew I had to rally my city around her to support. I am so proud of the outpouring that's happening, yet so utterly disappointed that we are here in the first place."
Dellinger, along with other family, friends and community supporters have rallied behind Pope in the form of emotional, financial and resource support. "There were four fake GofundMe pages going around before we made our own. My sister found them and she said, 'Princess, we need to make our own so people know who the real business is,'" Pope said.
"Our supporters wanted to pour back into us, so we gave them an avenue in which they can. There were so many people who wanted to help, so the page was set up so they can do just that. It's not just about a dollar-amount. It's that someone is saying, 'I see you, and I care.'"
Image Courtesy of Princess Pope
Like any smart business owner, Pope said she has insurance, but it could take weeks--even months---for relief. She said she has also reported the incident to local authorities, and again, an investigation takes time. "We've been closed since March 17, and we were set to reopen [a few days ago]. Now that won't happen. I go to trade shows all over the world to [fill inventory] and I can't just take one day to fill my store back up. It will take months for me to even recover the inventory."
Pope is grateful that her community chose to stand with her to raise funds and show both emotional and monetary support so that she could get back to what she loves and serve the community that has supported her for so many years. Her GoFundMe campaign has already topped the $100,000 mark, surpassing the goal.
"We've received a lot of donations so we will be donating to five other small businesses that have been affected by the looting. There are two [neighboring] businesses in particular on Commerce Street that I definitely want to donate to. People have helped me, and I want to extend that [giving] to other businesses."
Image Courtesy of Princess Pope
Dallas Boutique Owner Talks Rebuilding After Looting Destroyed Her Business
For other small business owners who are facing challenges, Pope offered the following three tips:
Pause and reevaluate. "Sometimes when you can't do anything, you just have to stand. Be still for a little bit and rethink what's going on," she advised.
Tap into support from right in your backyard. "Stay close to those who believe in you and support you. Hold on and stay tight with your community."
Partner up with other organizations and businesses. "The support I have received from the city of Dallas and the people near and far has really helped me to get through these days," Pope added. "I am super grateful to everyone who has reached out---donating, offering a lending hand. The support has been amazing. We're standing strong, and I know that we will be back bigger, bolder, and better than before."
For more information on how you can support Pope and her plans for rebuilding, visit Guns and Roses Boutique's Instagram or Website.
Featured Image via Instagram/PrincessTheCEO
This article is sponsored by Hulu.
UnPrisonedhas returned for its highly anticipated second season, delving deeper into the complex dynamics of the Alexander family.
The series premiere comes a year after its debut season garnered rave reviews from fans and critics and earned record-breaking ratings for Hulu's Onyx Collective brand. UnPrisoned's success can be attributed to its raw, relatable themes and comedic appeal.
Inspired by creator Tracy McMillan's life, the show follows Paige (Kerry Washington), a therapist and single mother whose life takes an unexpected turn when her father, Edwin (Delroy Lindo) --who was released from prison-- moves in with her and her teenage son, Finn (Faly Rakotohavana).
Throughout UnPrisoned's first season, viewers witnessed how Edwin's incarceration deeply affected Paige's life and relationships. In the series, Paige unpacks her trauma through interactions with her inner child and her online followers. Meanwhile, Edwin is overcoming specific struggles with his own past that led to his life of crime, including a dysfunctional upbringing and his mother's arrest. As the Alexanders attempt to reconcile, new challenges arise.
This new season promises to further explore their unconventional family dynamic. Here are several compelling reasons why season two of UnPrisoned should be on everyone's watchlist.
The Alexander Family Life Is Still In Shambles
UnPrisoned's second season resumes where the series left off, with Paige grappling with the fallout from her troubled therapy practice and Edwin navigating life independently after moving out. Meanwhile, Finn faces his own challenges. The teenager is battling anxiety and seeking information about his father—a topic Paige avoids discussing.
The Alexander Family Are Attending Therapy To Resolve Their Underlying Issues
Amid the chaos in their lives, the Alexander family decides to mend their bond by confronting their past traumas. They seek professional help and attend therapy sessions with a “family radical healing coach,” played by John Stamos, a new cast member. This collective effort aims to unravel the complexities of their shared history and strengthen their relationships.
The process of unraveling each character's internal conflicts and their potential impact on future relationships may clash with Paige's textbook therapy approach. While Paige is used to being in the therapist's seat in both career and family, this forces her into the unfamiliar role of a patient during therapy sessions. This shift would compel her to look in the mirror and try a radically different approach.
The Alexander Family Learned A Big Lesson During A Therapy Session
In therapy, the Alexanders are tasked with addressing their individual traumas to salvage their remaining relationships. One of the family therapist’s eccentric suggestions was an exercise involving a family wrestling match. During this session, Paige faces tough questions about her refusal to share information about Finn's father.
While it's unclear whether this scene is reality or fantasy, the image of the family duking it out in the ring certainly makes for hilarious yet compelling television.
Paige Tries Dating Again Following Failed Relationships
Amid her life's chaos, Paige decides to step back into the dating field. However, her many attempts have left her with mixed results. The dating apps have turned out to be a fail, and an outing with her ex Mal (Marque Richardson), who is also her father's parole officer, doesn’t go quite as expected after he brings an unexpected guest – his new girlfriend.
The situation takes an awkward turn when Mal's new partner learns why the former couple split, partly due to Paige's self-sabotage.
UnPrisoned Is A Perfect Balance Of Comedy And Drama
As a dramedy, UnPrisoned takes a comedic approach to its heavy subjects. The show takes us on a ride with Paige's dating misadventures and navigating a friendship with her ex.
Other lighthearted moments include Edwin's attempts at CPR based on online videos and, of course, the antics of the Alexander family's unconventional new healing coach.
The second season of UnPrisoned is now available on Hulu.
UnPrisoned | Season 2 Trailer | Hulu
Feature image courtesy
Actor Jessie T. Usher reveals his secrets for maintaining his physical appearance while filming Amazon Prime's The Boys.
The series, which spans four seasons, follows vigilantes as they battle corrupt superheroes. In The Boys, Usher portrays Reggie Franklin, also known as A-Train, a superhero with incredible speed.
During a recent Men's Health magazine interview, the 32-year-old spoke about his diet and workout regimens. These routines help Usher stay in shape for the show's stunt work, which involves intense cardio to match his character's super-speed abilities.
In the discussion, he revealed his workout regimen consists of resistance training and cardio. On rest days, the Shaft star incorporates yoga and stretching into his routine.Jessie On What He Eats In a Day
Regarding his diet, Usher shared he typically eats three meals daily with minimal variations. He begins each day by hydrating and waiting an hour or two before breakfast. On production days for The Boys, Usher opts for eggs with herbs and seasonings, accompanied by fruit.
The Dangerous Lies actor keeps it light for lunch with protein-rich options like quinoa bowls or salads with lentils, chicken, and vegetables from CAVA. Dinner is his heartiest meal, featuring chicken and fish (particularly sea bass or salmon), after which he refrains from eating for the rest of the night.
Usher focuses on protein intake for all his meals rather than counting macro calories to support muscle growth. He boosts his protein with peanut butter shakes. While maintaining a disciplined diet, The Almost Christmas star allows himself occasional indulgences like Funyuns or Nutter Butters. To round out his health regimen, Usher takes daily vitamins.
Jessie On His Diet And Workout Routine For "The Boys"
When asked about adjusting his diet or workout routine for his role in The Boys, Usher explained that his health-conscious lifestyle eliminates the need for significant changes.
“Honestly, no. Because by the time I got to The Boys I was already health conscious. Very much aware of what I was putting in my body and how,” he said.
Regarding his workouts, Usher revealed he tailors his routines to include more diverse cardio exercises. This approach ensures he's physically prepared for the scenes he shoots for the show.
“A day of working out for The Boys is a little bit different. I feel like I added more variations of cardio work,” he stated. “When [you’re shooting] you just have no idea what they’re about to throw at you. I just want to be ready for all of those challenges, especially the cardio things. I just wanted to have the endurance to be able to get through whatever type of scene that I would possibly be shooting.”
Season four of The Boys is now streaming on Amazon Prime.
Everything ‘The Boys’ Star Jessie T Usher Eats In a Day | Eat Like | Men's Health
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Feature image by Phillip Faraone/Getty Images for Paramount Pictures