ENTREPRENEURIAL SPOTLIGHT:
BOSEDE IYEWARUN
A Nigerian Native born on July 2, 1967, Ms. Bosede Anike Iyewarun has had the privilege of experiencing different cultures and education in multiple environments.She completed Elementary School in Grandview Missouri, High school abroad and obtained her double major BA in AV Communications and Photography from McPherson College in McPherson Kansas. Ms. Iyewarun is an entrepreneur with multiple BRANDS, which are EarKandie! and Lady Bosses International.
Established on November 11, 2011, EarKandie! POParazzi & Celebrity Inspired Jewelry caters to ladies, gentlemen and children. EarKandie! is 100% hand-made jewelry created uniquely for each individual. One year later on November 12, 2012, Ms. Iyewarun established the Lady Bosses International Group #LBI which serves to motivate, empower and uplift women entrepreneurs worldwide. Ms. Iyewarun has mentored, coached and developed local business owners, both gentlemen and ladies in the Kansas City area.
THE BEGINNING OF AN EMPIRE
The story of how I started EarKandie is quite humorous, actually. Back when the ORIGINAL Basketball wives debut, I immediately fell in love with their jewelry and accessories. I remember I had just gotten my hair cut really low and I knew big earrings looked great with short hair. I was so fascinated by the styles and colors; I searched the internet for Basketball wife earrings and BINGO! All the huge hoops I was crazy about came up in my search with photos of the celebrity wearing the jewelry. I found 5 different pairs in the jumbo hoops and ordered them off EBay. I paid $189.00 for 5 pairs of earrings. When it was all said and done, every time I wore a pair to work, I had to keep my friends from trying to take them from me. They were all so persistent; I ended up SELLING 4 pairs OFF my ears!
It was at that point, I realized I was not the only one that followed celebrity and poparazzi fashion but a whole lot of ladies also interested in those pieces. I did a little research and discovered the only real places ladies and gentlemen can find celebrity inspired jewelry was either online or in NY, LA or ATL. I decided to make 15 pairs of hoops a few weeks after my ordeal at work and by close of business the day I took in the Hoop Earrings, I had them all sold and $350. Which was my very first investment into EarKandie!
THE HISTORY OF EARKANDIE!
EarKandie! has been a THRIVING BRAND for five years! It started with my vision of creating and designing POParazzi Inspired Jewelry to taking the pieces on to the runway. Looking back, I never would have guessed how far we would come. From hoop earrings, concentrating mainly on the ladies to a full circle collection of customized jewelry for not only the ladies, but gentlemen and children. From hoops to body chains, headpieces, men’s beaded sets and children sets, EarKandie! started from having the 1st Annual Fashion Show Extravaganza November 11, 2012, to showcasing the Jewelry pieces in different Expos and Fashion Shows in the Kansas City area.
The EarKandie! LOGOWear Apparel was introduced in 2014. Some of the Expos and Shows we have participated in are RawArtist Kansas City, The Kansas City Natural Hair Expo, Kansas City Catwalk 7 and Beauty & Bowties. Gracing runways with trendsetting pieces with our exclusive TopModels & JuniorKandie! Models. EarKandie! produced the Annual Fashion Show Extravaganza each year in November and last year marked our 4th Annual Extravaganza. This year promises to be the biggest and the best as it will mark our 5th Year!
THE EARKANDIE! EXTRAVAGANZA
Each year in the month of November, I mark EarKandie’s anniversary with a grand fashion show extravaganza. The purpose of the show is to celebrate the brand revealing upcoming collections, showcase local designers and upcoming artists and give back by way of selecting an organization to support. The Boys & Girls Club of Greater Kansas City, The HOPE Organization and The Celebration of Life Oraganization are some of the non-profits I have reached out to in order to offer support, raise funds and shed light on their purpose.
It is important to provide a platform where designers and artists can have the opportunity to showcase their craft. Not only them but local businesses as well offering vendor and sponsorship opportunities, which I believe EarKandie! provides.
BOSEDE ON HER PERSONAL STYLE
My personal style is out of the box. I will wear just about anything and find a way to pull it off! Hence…the BALD HEAD! Listen, as a designer, it’s important to embrace all avenues of style, creativity and trends.
WHAT INSPIRES BOSEDE WHEN DESIGNING NEW JEWELRY?
When I design new jewelry, I am inspired by the latest trends on the red carpet and celebrities. The body chains, the bejeweled head pieces. I also have multiple requests from existing and new customers when they see pieces they would like recreated and personalized.
BUSINESSES AND ORGANIZATIONS BOSEDE HAS COLLABORATED WITH
Twelve Magazine
DeLux Magazine
KC Examiner
RawArtist Organization
The KCNHE Organization
The Gown Gallery
Principle Intelligence
Tones World
Wizard Photographx
The Madrid Theatre
The Promise Wedding Event Space
Professional Sound
Olathe Dodge Chrysler Jeep
The Celebration of Life Organization
Susan G Komen of Greater Kansas City
The Artis Event Space
THE MOST CHALLENGING ASPECTS OF BEING A BUSINESS OWNER.....
Without a doubt, the biggest lesson which has been a challenge is realizing that everyone has an agenda. You have to not only be clever and observant but be sure to make smart choices in the partnerships you involve yourself with. I’m learning more and more some you simply have to pass. For me, integrity and great work ethic are critical to running a successful, relevant and reputable company.
WHAT TO EXPECT FROM BOSEDE IN THE FUTURE.....
I am launching two more related BRANDS within the next several months and expanding EarKandie! to a whole new level. That’s all for now so stay tuned!
