Today we’d like to introduce you to Shpresa Dedivanaj.
Hi Shpresa, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Bukuri began when I was 12 years old. I’ve always had a passion for creating. I would use anything and everything to create custom jewelry throughout my entire life. This little hobby turned into a business when my mom signed me and my sister up for our school’s craft show. My mom took this opportunity to push me towards my dreams, and she’s continued to since by inspiring me to push through trials and stand firm in my beliefs. We spent long nights after school making hair bows, headbands, clips, necklaces, earrings, bracelets, and so much more. When I was coming up for a name for my business, I was stumped, but I knew I wanted to incorporate my culture into my brand. That’s when the word bukuri was being tossed around as an idea. Bukuri means beautiful in Albanian, so it was just perfect! From that name stemmed our slogan, “Because everyone is beautiful.” The day of the craft show comes, and well I loved it! The buzz of all these creators, people who were just as passionate about their creativity as I was with mine, were all gathered in the same space. My sister and I’s booth quickly became a hotspot. We had something for everyone, and they all loved it. Later that night, awards were presented to different businesses. That night I received the “Most likely to become a real business” award. From that entire night, I began thinking that I really could do this business thing. As a 12-year-old, I had many other priorities, like passing my math test the following Monday, but Bukuri was always being worked on behind the scenes. I continued creating and even began selling to my classmates. Eventually, I began high school, and still, I continued making unique pieces, so much so that many classmates would come to me for their own custom pieces. When I was 15, I reopened my middle school business Instagram and began advertising and posting products there. Throughout covid, I continued to create and sell my products. In 2021, I signed up for my towns local craft market. I attended every Thursday all summer long and quickly made a name for business. In the fall of that year, a video of me making school spirit jewelry went viral on TikTok. My Instagram was flooded with DM’s trying to order their own pieces. Then four months later another video went viral, and I decided I needed my own website. I continued again, creating, posting, and researching. Eventually, I began looking into selling boutique clothing after I graduated high school. After a while of researching, discussing, and figuring out if I could do this all while in my first year of college, I received the best advice for not only my business but my life. A wise man told me, “If you keep waiting for the time to be right, you’ll spend the rest of your life waiting because the time is never right.” that wise man is my dad. He told me to never spend my life waiting because once you begin waiting, you’ll never be ready for it. So that’s what I did. An opportunity came for me to open a storefront after launching a small clothing collection online, and instead of waiting for the perfect time in my life, I made that moment the perfect time. I’ve just opened up my first boutique in Fenton, Michigan at 19 years old. My boutique is dedicated to the same saying I used when I was 12 years old; a store where we believe everyone is beautiful and should feel like it in what they are wearing. Every day is a new adventure, and I would not be where I am now without the support system of my parents, my four brothers, and my two sisters. They’ve been there since the beginning. My brothers hauling heavy boxes, canopy tents, and tables to different craft shows while my sisters modeled and spent late nights making jewelry with me. My parents for telling me to dream bigger than what I already was. My business is not only a business; it is who I am and what I was created to do.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
In every industry, there are challenges. For myself, being a young entrepreneur, I am met with ridicule and disbelief because of my age. Along with that, there are obstacles you overcome while learning your industry. I had no idea how to develop or design a website. I spent months learning how to and how to advertise correctly. As someone who currently does not have a degree in marketing or business, it sometimes feels as though I am not qualified. But even when it feels like you cannot accomplish something or you aren’t fit for it you CAN. If there is a will there is a way.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
My boutique specializes in handmade accessories and jewelry. Like I had mentioned before, creating has always been my biggest passion. All the jewelry inside Bukuri is handmade and custom designed by me. In my small town, Bukuri, is known for all our unique, handmade, and high-quality jewelry, as that’s what our business began as. That alone sets us apart from many boutiques along with our very affordable prices. All of our boutique clothing is hand picked by me, so you’re sure to get a unique but affordable style in everything you choose. We offer a variety of clothing styles from everyday basics to nights out to wedding guest attire and everything in between. Whatever the occasion may be you’re sure to find something at Bukuri! Along with that we have a selection of clean skincare, beauty, and wellness products. These products are some of the best on the market, made with non toxic and clean ingredients.
How do you define success?
Success has a different definition for every person. For one, it might mean making billions; for someone else, it might be becoming a celebrity. For me, success is simple. Success is the fulfillment one feels from self-actualization. Your passion, your internal drive, your own growth are more fulfilling than anything else in life. Realizing who you are, the gifts you have, the passion you create, and using it every day of your life to make yourself better is, in my opinion, more successful than all the millions in the world. You can be the richest and most famous person, but at the end of the day, if you do not feel fulfilled in your life, your success becomes nothing.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.bukuriaccessories.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/bukuri_boutique/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/handmadebukuriaccessories/
Image Credits
Kobey Beauchamp
