Meet Phelecia Roper a serial entrepreneur, author of Sis You Better, and mother of 7, who owns a clothing boutique, and a tax office, and is a life coach. Roper has been preparing taxes for over 10 years and just recently added notary services, her clothing boutique is fairly new and located in Homewood, and she coaches single women into becoming the best versions of themselves for their children and for themselves.
”I enjoy pushing other women and giving praise where due I love it so much I wrote a book to tell my sisters “Sis You Better” get up, push, pray, and Slay.”
1. Tell us in your own words what you do?
I am a serial entrepreneur, women empowerment coach, and author. I own Alabama Tax Professionals and BYOUnique Clothing Boutique. My name is a brand Phelecia Z Roper. It’s the beginning of a woman empowerment movement. I have a nonprofit Se7en Angels and I’m the author of a 7-day devotional which can be found on my website www.pheleciazroper.com
2. What was your thought process behind starting a clothing boutique, but also a tax office?
I’ve been in the tax industry since 2013. I love my clients and I’m a people person. I love to see people happy and living their best life. Preparing taxes I’m able to see them smile (some frowns too not many but yes lol) so my tax business was first then the boutique came about because, after tax season, money still has to be made. However selling clothes, shoes, sunglasses etc isn’t just a hobby for me the same way preparing taxes isn’t. The overall thing that drives me is customer satisfaction seeing them happy.
3. How did you first become interested working for yourself?
I first became interested in working for myself after being a single teenage mother working hard for low-paying jobs. I was working at Rally’s then Jacks and going to school. I hardly even saw my child because I would pass out when I got home I was so drained. One day I woke up with a fire burning inside me that wouldn’t go out I knew I was destined for more. I knew I couldn’t allow a job to take me away from my kid. I knew I had to be the one to make the rules. So at a young age, I began selling purses. I didn’t know that was the start to the end of my work building someone else’s dream. Now here I am still building my dream and a firm foundation for my kids.
4. What was the hardest part of working for yourself?
The hardest part of working for myself balanced. The balance between my personal life, my kids, and the businesses. I definitely had to learn you need a team and you cannot build alone.
5. What are you working on currently and why?
I’m currently working hard on Se7en Angels and Phelecia Z Roper (brand) they tie into each other. One is a nonprofit for building women and assisting with resources and the other is motivating and coaching women into their next. I’m so big on seeing women succeed and making moves to be the best version of who God called them to be for their children.
6. Share with us some tips on how to become a happier/healthier person
Drink plenty of water and mind your own business lol seriously spend more time with God and build a relationship with the person who created you so that you can begin to know who you are and not what others labeled you. Forgive and heal from past trauma if a therapist is necessary listen to seek help. Your mental well-being is very important. Live life unapologetically, do what makes you happy, and stop second guessing or asking for validation from others. Exercise and eat as healthy as you possibly can. Smile and compliment others
7. What tips do you have for those who want to renew their life as in new job, moving etc.
Go for it! There isn’t an age limit on going into a new season either. You worry about all the what-ifs and what could go wrong, but what if this is the best thing that could ever happen for you. Silence the negativity and turn the knob up on the positivity and rock out
8. Who has been your own biggest mentor and what is the best advice they have ever given you?
My biggest mentor is My coach Dee Edwards. This woman completely came into my life and not only told but showed me. She leads by example very well. The epitome of greatness I honor this woman. She has given me much advice but the one that sticks and hits the hardest is to be in your bag but be in your Bible more.
9. If you had one piece of advice to someone just starting what would it be?
No matter what don’t stop. Even days you don’t feel or see the vision keep pushing. Every day isn’t going to be easy. If you’ll just keep going you’ll see better days and then you’ll look back and be grateful for those bad days that shaped and prepared you for your greater.
10. How do you improve your financial knowledge?
Reading!!!! It’s true reading is fundamental. My favorite read is Secrets of the Millionaire Mind -Mastering the inner game of wealth by T Harv Eker
![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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