There’s a reason the home is so meaningful to us. It’s where we reflect on every choice, change and important milestone in our lives. It’s not only a space to relax and enjoy our family, but also an indication of what we value and how that can change.
Niema Bracey explains how one life milestone prompted her to turn her passion for home decor into a new business.
Drawing upon her experience as a publicist for a large home retailer and passion for interior design, a new business idea was born. An e-commerce shop selling chic, stylish and affordable home decor items. Her intention is to help her peers create unique spaces that reflect their coming-of-age milestone.
Bracey launched her online boutique, HOMENCRISIS.com, this year on April 28 — her 25th birthday. The New York native is a graduate of Clark Atlanta University with bachelor’s in public relations management and is now working on an MBA in international business and marketing at American University.
What is HOMEN CRISIS, and what was the driving force behind your business?
I named the business HOMEN CRISIS because I felt it was a reflection of that turning point that I was experiencing in my life. In that time, my home played a large role as a retreat from the demands of adulthood. Coming home to a really dope space I created made it all worth it. Then the idea of an online home decor boutique grew quickly.
What sets HOMEN CRISIS apart from other home decor boutiques?
The difference lies in my strategy to meet my customers where they are. The original business concept allowed me to surface my roots as the daughter of a real estate broker and my understanding of property management. Knowing the majority of my customer base utilizes Airbnb, within six weeks of launching my home decor website, I opened the doors to a new rental property. I decorated the rental with items on my site so that it can serve as a showroom for my decor pieces. It was the perfect opportunity to not only catch the attention of potential buyers but all while having them experience the decor items in a home setting.
Describe the innovative methods you apply to your business and life.
Innovation isn’t rocket science. I exercise a few simple strategies to inspire innovation in my life and business. First, I dedicate time to reading and monitoring trends applicable to my business and interests. Staying on trend is the best way to make informed decisions about where or how to focus my efforts. While everything I see may not be relevant, when it is, I make sure to immediately capture my reactions, thoughts and ideas. Establishing a supportive atmosphere is also very critical to innovation for me. I surround myself amongst those [with whom] I feel free to express my thoughts and ideas without the chance of negative criticism or ridicule. Lastly, I love to take calculated risks. Once I have read and thought about something enough, I just go for it. If I fail, I’ve failed forward with learning experiences that can prepare me for my [next challenge].
Where do you see the future of HOMEN CRISIS?
In five years, I anticipate my business to have grown into a multi-faceted real estate services firm — one that can meet the demands of any life moment, whether individuals are buying a home, designing the one they’re in, or preparing a space for someone else. My vision for HOMEN CRISIS is to offer clients unparalleled style, communication, and efficiency during their home project needs.
What role does technology play in your daily life?
I live on the internet. Technology plays a major role in my success in owning an online decor boutique and rental listing. I make it a priority to understand and to stay up to date with what tech companies are doing in their competitive landscape and the impact their decisions have on me.
Please describe the goal-setting methods and the metrics that you use to evaluate your success.
I remember having difficulty creating a three-year plan that would be reviewed by my manager at my previous job. I later realized the issue was trying to make goals that would be accepted by other people instead of making ones that aligned with my passion. I learned from that experience that goal setting is only effective when it’s unique to your needs and wants. Otherwise, you won’t be motivated to achieve it.
I have a five-year plan with goals outlined in various categories: household, professional, financial, physical and recreational. I created it on an Excel spreadsheet in order to set target dates, chart my progress and stack them against goals in other categories of my life. With my overarching goals in place, on a monthly and daily basis, I hand write my goals in a planner with black pen and cross them off once accomplished with a pink pen.
Describe the voice of success that you hear in your head.
These are the success mantras I’ve adopted from my father:
“Winners don’t quit, and quitters don’t win.”
“Nothing comes to a sleeper but a dream.”
“Work smart, not hard.”
