Keisha Greaves started her clothing business Girls Chronically Rock because back in 2010 she was diagnosed with a muscle disease called Limb-Girdle Muscular Dystrophy. While Greaves was graduate school while receiving her Master’s Degree, she started to get really weird symptoms. Greaves would start to walk and her leg would give out on her causing her to lose her balance and she would fall to the floor without unable to get herself
Greaves received her undergraduate degree in Fashion Design and Merchandising and knew she always wanted to be a business owner. Fast forward a few years later, after being in total denial of being diagnosed with Muscular Dystrophy, Greaves started to embrace her chronic illness and knew she could not let this stop and will pursue her dreams no matter what.
I honestly feel everything does happen for a reason and me being diagnosed with Muscular Dystrophy all came into place which is inspired me to start my clothing business Girls Chronically Rock and able to use my platform to tell my story and my journey living my
everyday like with Muscular Dystrophy.
Girls Chronically Rock is not just a clothing business, but a movement and bringing awareness to others like Greaves who may be battling a chronic illness on a regular basis. Greaves wants to inspire and motivate others that everyone can do anything you put your mind to no matter what.
I want Girls Chronically to build into an Empire!
Where does the entrepreneurial mindset come from?
Yes, I have always had an entrepreneurial mindset because I always lived in my own little world and wanted to do what I want. I always felt free and flexible and worked on my schedule with still getting my work done at the end of the day. I never liked someone telling me what to do, a give me a schedule, it was just not me. I was always a hustler and worked multiple jobs at once but knew I had to do what I had to, to get where I wanted to be with my business. I always had the mindset to just do it with no questions and see what happens. I defiantly knew I wanted to be a business owner from the time I was small and wanted to be a Fashion Designer and run my own business and be as successful as Fashion Designers I looked up to like Betsey Johnson and Kimora Lee Simmons.
Tell us about your collection at the moment, how do you design your line?
My collections right now consist of both women and men’s clothes and accessories such as: jewelry. My collection consists of many different logo designs on the website with different meanings behind them, such as “Trust your Dopeness” was created to believe and trust and believe in your dreams at anything you wan to accomplish. Another popular one is “Hello, my name is Chronically Ill Badass” everyone seems to love that one because although we may have a chronic illness, we are fierce and powerful while ding it and won’t let anything or anyone stop us. I also have plenty more on the website and have a lot more designs I plan to add for 2019. I honestly just either sit down or lie down and think of random thoughts or saying I may say to myself or friends and family and I’m like, “that would be good on a shirt” and I have my graphic designer create a logo on colors and fonts I would like and we go from there. I have new designs a thought in my head every day, and I would either text them, or email them to myself and would put that into a new design idea for my next collection.
What investment did you need to start Girls Chronically Rock?
I would need a good amount of money to cover marketing expenses, promotion and money to pay my t-shirt company to print the t-shirts, traveling expenses to go to and from different shows in my town and out of town. Everyday I learn something new about my business and realize more expenses that maybe needed to pursue my dreams and make sure Girls Chronically Rock gets to where it needs to be.
You are saying ‘’Through my education and work experience, I have gained the knowledge and skills necessary to excel as a Fashion Designer and Visual Merchandiser.’’ How did you gain the knowledge and skills?
I always had a passion for fashion and through out the years I worked in many retail stores such as: Vera Bradley, Aldo’s, BCBG, Macy’s and more. Over the years I also worked for several companies merchandising in the departments stores for Tommy John, Tommy Hilfiger, Bloomingdale’s, Warner Bra’s and plenty more. I learn my office experience and business from receiving a scholarship for college from Cambridge Savings Bank and they offered me a summer job where gained experience in the customer service department, Administrative assistant for the Facilities Department, Human Resources Department and Accounting, which I will forever be grateful for. While at Cambridge College receiving my Master’s degree, I did a work study job in admissions and student services department where I did a lot of work with students, phone calls and entry date and more. I learn how to communicate with different customers, having patience, being a manager and just everyday tasks, I learned and experienced every day.
What was it like when you had your first customer? How did that go?
When I got my first customer for Girls Chronically Rock, I felt excited, motivated and inspired. Although it was my first customers, it inspired me to continue to advertise and promote my business on social media and continue to share my story because I never know who I will inspire and can relate to. I love when I receive an order, because I love putting the clothing merchandise into the pretty pink packages that I have with the pretty tissue paper and attach my business cards in with the package and shipping it out makes me feel great and accomplish and looking forward to more orders to come in. I love when people reach out to me a say “I love your brand and what you’re doing, it’s so inspiring” that makes me feel good, because I never know who is paying attention or if people know what I’m doing, and if they like it, so when I receive great messages online or from people out in my town, it makes me feel great and more motivated to continue to push my business and spread the word about Girls Chronically Rock.
Any great stories from working with a customer?
I have a few good stories working with customers who can relate to me living everyday life living with a chronic illness. I have reached out to few Instagram inspiring bloggers on social media who may have Multiple Sclerosis, Lupus, and plenty others. I reach out them sharing my story asking them if they would love to collaborate and promote my clothing brand on their page, and once they hear my story, they agree and have me send them some shirts and that makes feel super excited. I love that would love to promote and can relate to my story a once they post themselves wearing my GCR brand, that makes me feel excited. It’s even more excited, when their followers love my brand and sales start to come through, so that has defiantly been exciting for me to share that with others.
How do you run a business with Muscular Dystrophy every day?
My life has been a roller-coaster ride at times much like yours, I’m sure. Expectations, responsibilities, and everyday pressures can take a toll on anyone. Imagine dealing with the normal everyday stress of life while trying to build a business and balance having a chronic illness like Muscular Dystrophy (MD).
When someone without a chronic illness wakes up to the buzz of their second (or maybe third) alarm in the morning, a lot of thoughts may be running through their head. Is it
All these questions and more are constantly flowing through my mind, and can seem a little deflating at times, but what good story is absent of any struggles? My villain just happens to be MD, and the hero happens to be me. If you are living with a chronic illness of any type, I want to encourage you to keep pushing forward, especially if you have dreams or are in the process of creating your own business or brand.
Having this passion project gives me the motivation and purpose I need to get up every morning and find a way to get things done. Even if only one or two things get done from my list, I make sure I put what energy I am able to muster into getting those things completed. When I have the strength and opportunity to go out and share my Girls Chronically Rock brand with the world, it gives me a sense of fulfillment and purpose that I wouldn’t be able to achieve if I didn’t fight to get out of the bed every morning.
I won’t let MD stop me from reaching my goals and pursuing my purpose and neither should you.
Here are a few tips I want to share as a business owner with a chronic illness that I hope will encourage those who may be battling the same:
1. Have something that keeps you sane
When I can’t find the strength to do work or when I just need to get my mind off of everyday life, I watch my favorite shows. DVR is the BEST thing to ever happen to me (any Love & Hip Hop or Jane the Virgin fans out there). I get excited to catch up on my favorite series and having this outlet helps me remain balanced and upbeat when not working on my business. Find that one thing you love to watch, play or enjoy that helps you unwind and relax.
2. Have goals for your business that you follow
I have dreams
3. Have a Plan for Your Slower Days
I am
4. Know When You Need to Just Rest (and be ok with it)
Sometimes, the activities from the day prior can influence the degree of energy I have for the following day. I can’t control what my body wants to do – like anybody, but with a chronic
No matter where you stand when it comes to chronic illness or starting a business, you have the ability to pursue your dreams and live your best life. Take these notes, make them your own and remember that chronic illness is just a chapter of your life. There is still so much more left inside of you and so much more to your story. Dream big!
After being in denial after so many years, I am also now the Massachusetts State Ambassador for the Muscular Dystrophy Association and I absolutely love it. With being the Ambassador the Muscular Dystrophy Association I get to speak at different speaking engagements, share my story of how I was diagnosed with Muscular Dystrophy and give a special thank you to all of the local fire fighters who raise money for the MDA, sponsors and medical researchers. I have been able to connect with other Muscular Dystrophy families and other great individuals along this journey with being ambassador and I hope to continue along this wonderful journey and meet some great people along the way with sharing my story and business. Also, being so involved with the MDA association, a percentage of proceeds of my sales from Girls Chronically Rock go towards the Muscular Dystrophy Association. Every Year I do a fundraising event in collaborating with local Fashion Designer Sara Campbell and my own fundraising event to raise money for the annual Muscle Walk in Boston at Boston Commons.
What are your goals currently? As in vision and mission? What problem are you trying to solve?
My goals currently are to continue to bring awareness and let people know about Girls Chronically Rock and how it was inspired. My goals are to speak at different speaking engagement in town and out of town sharing my story and how I overcame being diagnosed with Muscular Dystrophy in my early adult life and how that made me feel and so many emotions running through my head. Why Me? What does this mean? How long do I have to live?
I have a vision to sharing my story and business on talk shows like, Steve Harvey, hopefully chat with Oprah Ellen, The Talk, Dr. OZ, my favorite Wendy Williams and more. I have been writing different talk shows every day with keeping my fingers crossed that one day I will get a response and that will just make my day. I want people to know what Muscular Dystrophy is all about and that there is no cure at the moment, but I am hopeful one day their will be. My mission for the upcoming year to attend as many events as I can to connect and network with others and collaborating with so many others who can possibly relate and are in the same business as me.
I would also like to showcase my clothing line Girls Chronically Rock in upcoming New York Fashion, LA Fashion Week, Atlanta Fashion Week and plenty more. I feel that would be a good experience for me to showcase my line and to share my story. I would also love for my line GCR to be sold in hospitals in the Boston area, such as Mass General Hospitals, Brigham and Women’s Spaulding Rehabilitation Centers and more, because that would be a great market and the customers who would be able to relate to my brand.
I just filled out a form the others day to possibly become a speaker at Essence Festival for 2019, so I am keeping my fingers crossed to hear back good news and would be able to share my story and how my business got started and to experience Essence Festival since I never been.
I am trying to figure out what customers exactly what, what’s their favorite color and what do my followers more gravitate towards when I post on social media. My followers/clients do like to for me to be honest and open and share my everyday life and struggles, my ups and downs because I realized I never know who I can relate to who is reading.
My main focus is getting my message out there to everyone and I want everyone to soon know what Girls Chronically Rock is, and who the designer is and what it stands for.
How do you make sure anyone can find Girls Chronically Rock?
I make sure anyone can find Girls Chronically Rock, because I add it to my signature at the end of every email. I always advertise and promote my business on my social media handles such as: Instagram, Facebook, my website and on different business networks I am apart of on Facebook. I have come to a place where I feel more comfortable with sharing my story and I feel that by me being more honest and open, people can more connect with me and that may also draw them to my page and want to check out what Girls Chronically Rock is all about. I try to share my blog posts on a monthly basis, maybe more sharing my story and brand trying to get the word out there.
Do you focus on a specific group of customers?
I don’t really focus on a specific group of customers, but I may target towards people with chronic illnesses/disabilities because I know they can relate to my brand/story. My clothing brand is really for everyone, I get customers who don’t even have a chronic illness, or someone who wants to purchase it for them family member or friend who may have a chronic illness of some sort and I love to hear messages like that. Over time I realize hash-tagging on social media can defiantly connects me with the customers I would like to. From experience just me hash-tagging, “chronic illness,” muscular dystrophy, “disability awareness,” and more I have found a lot of other people like myself and have made some great connections/friends along the way and they defiantly give me great feedback about my business website.
How do you want to improve yourselves in the next year?
I want to grow Girls Chronically Rock into bigger and better things and make it into a major Empire. I would love for my clothing line to be sold in Target, Macy’s, TJX Companies, local boutique stores and plenty more. I hope to showcase my line in future fashion shows in New York, LA, Miami and more. I plan to advance my website over time with new updates and changes and making sure the customers are happy when shopping on my website. I want to continue to stay focused and motivated and making my health and business my number#1 priority.
Another improvement I would like to accomplish is hopefully creating an adaptive clothing line under Girls Chronically Rock umbrella to create a line with people with disabilities. That would be a huge accomplishment.
Do you believe in destiny or do you think you can control your fate?
After being diagnosed with Muscular Dystrophy out of nowhere, I honestly don’t think I have control over my fate. Over the years I realize you never know what goes on in your body, and what could happen when you go to bed or wake up in the morning. I honestly take things day by day and try to stay positive and hope for the best and that defiantly helped me along the way with being positive. I can continue to work hard and stay focused but I can say I honestly don’t have control over what could possibly come whether its good or bad.
Tell us about your proudest achievement?
My proudest achievement was being featured in the “Today Style Heroes 2018” alongside Gabrielle Union and other great fantastic people. The Editor shared my story and I was so excited and thrilled about that. That honestly just made my day and I will be forever grateful being featured in Today.
You can read more about the article here at:
https://www.today.com/style/girls-chronically-rock-clothes-empower-women-muscular-dystrophy-t136013
What is your favorite aspect of being an entrepreneur?
My favorite aspect of being an entrepreneur is being my own boss and loving every minute of it. I love being my own boss, making my own schedule and running everything about it. Especially have a chronic illness while running a business can have it’s challenges, but that’s why I feel its important for me to continue to strive to make my business succeeds because I don’t’ what could happen years down the line with my Muscular Dystrophy but I am taking everything day by day and my business honestly motivates me every day. Being on my own schedule and terms, I have the flexibility if my body feels more tired one day and I may lie in bed and rest and do some work from my phone, it can honestly vary day by day, but running my own business feels amazing.
![From Music to Perfume: How did your background as a music teacher influence your transition into perfumery, and how do you incorporate your musical sensibilities into creating fragrances? I’ve always thought in terms of metaphors, and music has many that can be related to perfumery! Beyond just thinking in terms of top, middle and base notes [soprano/alto/tenor in choir], I approach each fragrant idea as a composition. When documenting my ideas, song structures often come to mind. As the scent brief is visited, I meditate on what the fragrance should convey - do I want to create an accord or a “chord” of fragrance note combinations? Do I want an a capella soloist (a particular ingredient to stand out more than others?) Many of my thoughts regarding song composition transfers to my scent formulation process, with me treating each note as an intentional soliloquy at some point.
Brand Origin: What inspired you to start Pink MahogHany in 2005, and how has your vision for the brand evolved since its inception?
An avid lover of all things pleasantly scented (with slight modesty), looking back in retrospect, it’s no huge surprise that I’ve created an indie perfume house with just an idea to provide unique options for those who may be sensitive to unnecessary pungency. Initially, I just wanted to evaluate various blends to note their aroma profiles when “played” together…it wasn’t until I had friends and family asking if I knew of brands that catered to those who may be on the more olfactory sensitive side, that I really began to take my research more seriously. In the almost 20 years that Pink MahogHany has been in existence, our micro visions for the brand have evolved to larger territory. Where Pink MahogHany used to only be a personal brand, we are now also a bespoke formulation service provider to other indie brands seeking unique fragrance offerings for their products. These products range from (but are not limited to) perfumes, candles, body butters and lip balms. Ingredient Transparency: You emphasize transparency and the use of desirable ingredients in your products. How do you select your ingredients, and what challenges have you faced in maintaining this standard?
Being an indie brand often comes with a set of assumptions and misconceptions - one of them being more negative than positive as it relates to ingredients used. There is a lot of “fluff” in the industry with labeling falsification. Because fragrance formulas are a trade secret, not every molecular breakdown of a material has to be noted on the ingredient label (it would be incredibly long), but we at Pink MahogHany™️ adhere strongly to the IFRA [International Fragrance Regulatory Association] regulations that state for common and potential allergens to be listed on our ingredient label. We’ve taken this a step further to also include these ingredients listed on our website to promote further transparency, all while protecting our intellectual property. Unfortunately, we’ve had companies to unethically sell lesser expensive “dupes” of our artisan perfumes, so as a way to create a better authenticity stamp, we make it our duty to be honest about our claims. If our perfume says “Rose Bulgaria”, it is in fact just that and not a component of rose being passed off as the source material. Collaborations and Custom Scents: Can you share more about your work with private label clients? What excites you most about creating custom scent solutions for other indie brands? I could easily sum this up in one word and say “Funding.” True, there is money out there, but I’m always thinking outside the box. Having a program that has an “Each One Fund One” mentality doesn’t exist (that I’ve been made aware of). Bootstrapping can be quite the challenge, even when you’ve reached the 6-figure mark annually. Competition to be seen and set apart is extremely high, so having quality packaging and branding is a must. There are lots of factors to consider, though when desiring to make upgrades. If there were a unique, tier-geared funding operation available, it would help perfume brands offset packaging and bulk material costs in the beginning stages.
Industry Challenges: What are some of the biggest challenges you've faced as an independent fragrance house, and how have you overcome them to grow your brand? As the brand continues on the path of organic growth, I would like to expand our reach into schools, offering perfumery as an arts elective for middle and high school. I’d love to partner with botanists, farmers and horticulturists directly to grow and source raw materials for the students to work with in the creation of tinctures. My passion is getting back to nature as best as possible, as nature was my first “scent experience” as a child. We would also love to witness our fragrance creations being used to scent model homes, our focus diffuser blends being used in automobile dealerships as well as partner with Air Bnb and boutique hotels that specialize in highlighting minority, indie brands. Personal Journey: How has your personal experience, particularly as a divorced mother and someone who has experienced the loss of a child, shaped your approach to life and your work in perfumery?
Because I homeschool my twin sons, we are together a lot more than most, so one thing we all do is have moments of sharing where a neutral “floor” is laid to converse about anything. Though they are quite communicative by nature, I realize that sometimes I can be in work mode so much that it spills over into what should be our quality time. My sons see the authentic me and learn how to communicate through seeing authenticity. I’ve learned not to feel as if I have to be the epitome of perfection but allow them to see my imperfections vulnerably but with discernment. Having had two traumatic experiences pretty close together has taught me how to truly slow down and enjoy the simplicities of life - igniting a spiritual aspect that I’ve always carried but never fully explored…until Kenji’s sudden passing (2018.) Grief has a way of catapulting us into a quest for more meaningfulness in both life and business. After Kenji’s passing and my processing through the initial stages of grief, I was able to incorporate our spiritual bond into Pink MahogHany by way of essential oil diffuser blends for both focus and sleep and most recently aromatic perfume elixirs. It’s been quite the process channeling the void of his physical presence, but I also have peace knowing he can be honored in a great way through scent. I noticed once I began to be more open and receptive to spiritual signs, synchs and “winks”, more ideas began to flow. It’s been this way since his transition. Emotional Expression: Fragrance is often tied to memories and emotions. How does your personal life influence the fragrances you create, and do you have a particular scent that holds special meaning to you? My creative process is much more alchemic now, and I include Kenji by talking out loud to him, believe it or not. I’m a firm believer that when our loved ones transition from the physical plane, they are still present - just in another form. I choose to keep his memory alive by not pretending he never existed (even if for a brief period of time). I am working (slowly) on a book and accompanying fragrance, but I know it will require me to revisit some memories I’m not quite ready for, so until then, his big brothers will launch their debut fragrance, The Peaceful Tiger (they chose the name.) I’ve learned that even in what we consider “small things”, our transitioned loved ones want to be recognized and acknowledged. When the twins and I designed their fragrance label (with a designer out of the country that didn’t know anything about me personally), we had issues with the graphic - so much so that the designer asked if they could rework the design. When they sent the proof for approval, the Tiger was not only younger but sleeping, with an uncanny, angelic resemblance to baby Kenji! Becoming more aware and being more sensitive to my intention for launching a fragrance has definitely made room for more divine situations like these to occur. Healing Through Scent: In what ways has creating fragrances been a form of healing or expression for you, especially after the loss of your son, Kenji Mwamba? I know my sons may not necessarily want to be perfumers, but they definitely have an entrepreneurial heart. My desire is that whatever they decide to pursue (acting, script-writing, music or architecture), they know that anything is possible with the right amount of determination, grit, belief and immersion. One reason I chose to homeschool is so they could enjoy learning without restraint and have ample time to devote to their own separate passions and it still be fun. They know Pink MahogHany is theirs if they want it (many, many years from now - lol), and we are already discussing business structures for whatever they choose their role to be once I retire. Work-Life Balance: How do you find balance between your professional responsibilities and personal well-being, and what self-care practices do you prioritize? I’m not just a perfumer; I’m also a consumer, and self-care is huge for me. I often take salt baths to reset my energy and clear my mind after being around large groups of people or free a long day. I’m a habitual perfume sampler, and I have so many to choose from to wear as my “nightcap.” Even if just for 10-15 minutes, I cherish each moment I’m able to have some “me-time.” When time and co-parenting schedules permit, I’m definitely on a flight somewhere to indulge in some delicious food and mouth-watering mocktails!](https://www.womenontopp.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/IMG_3812-1200x720.jpeg)
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