BLACK-OWNED BUSINESS GUIDE (CT)
  • Home
  • About
    • FAQ
    • In The News
    • Volunteer Team
    • Contact
    • Thank You
  • Browse Directory
    • Directory by City/Town
    • Directory by Category
  • Blog
    • Blog Archive
  • List a Business
  • Resources
  • Events
  • Home
  • About
    • FAQ
    • In The News
    • Volunteer Team
    • Contact
    • Thank You
  • Browse Directory
    • Directory by City/Town
    • Directory by Category
  • Blog
    • Blog Archive
  • List a Business
  • Resources
  • Events
Search by typing & pressing enter

YOUR CART

10/1/2023 0 Comments

10Thirteen Vintage – Where Thrifting meets Vintage Luxury and everything ‘Fancee’

Picture
By Lajeune Hollis
In the vibrant world of fashion, one name is rewriting the rules and bringing accessibility to the forefront: Clancee Victor, affectionately known as 'Fancee Clancee.' By day, she's a dedicated social worker, but when the sun sets, she's the driving force behind 10Thirteen Vintage, an innovative business that's all about making fashion accessible without compromising on style.

It all started with Clancee Victor's uncanny knack for spotting hidden treasures in thrift stores, estate sales, and tag sales. These pre-loved garments had stories to tell, and Clancee was ready to give them a new chapter. With this realization, the seeds of 10Thirteen Vintage were sown.
​Nestled in the heart of Victor’s home-based business in Bloomfield, CT, 10Thirteen Vintage is more than just a store; it's a movement that believes fashion should be attainable for everyone. The heart of her operation resides online, at 10ThirteenVintage.com, where she carries “affordable, high-end pre-loved designer gear from Louis Vuitton, Gucci, and Small Leather Goods” just to name a few. 

Here, you'll discover carefully selected pieces that seamlessly blend vintage luxury with contemporary flair. This digital boutique caters to the fashion-forward woman who craves a distinctive style and the thrill of sporting high-end designer clothing and accessories without the hefty price tags. Each pre-loved garment gracing her collection undergoes meticulous dry cleaning and steaming before being presented to you. And with fresh additions every week, there's always something new to explore, catering to women of sizes ranging from 0 to 20.

Beyond garments, 10Thirteen Vintage boasts a treasure trove of accessories. Designer scarves, vintage earrings, and designer sunglasses are all part of the experience. Victor's motto, "We look back to create what's forward," encapsulates her talent for seamlessly blending vintage elegance with a modern edge.
Picture
Picture
10ThirteenVintage carries affordable, high-end pre-loved designer gear from Louis Vuitton, Gucci, and Small Leather Goods just to name a few. 
Picture
​Expanding her reach beyond the digital realm, Victor organizes Pop-up Shops across Connecticut. A highlight is her eagerly anticipated F.A.B. (Fill A Bag) event, where attendees can shop ‘till they drop’, quite literally. To exit, you must leave holding the bag Victor provides, grasping it "by both handles" – an experience that underscores her unique approach to pre-loved shopping. With items priced at an affordable $20 and up, these Pop-up Shops create an accessible haven for fashion enthusiasts.

Venturing beyond state borders, Clancee Victor takes 10Thirteen Vintage to places like Brimfield, MA, Washington D.C., and Houston, TX during the summer months. Twice a year, she elevates shopping to a thrilling adventure with her Dollar events, where everything is truly priced at just one dollar. Such events exemplify her commitment to making luxury fashion available to all.

The name "10Thirteen Vintage" is a personal homage to Victor's birth month (October) and her birthday (Thirteen), encapsulating her deep connection to her brand. Clancee is also honoring her late grandmother's legacy, who dreamt of her having a brick-and-mortar store. It's a tribute that perfectly balances tradition and the modern world. At the core of 10Thirteen Vintage lies a mission – to "re-work and re-create pieces that sustain over time." Through her journey, Clancee aims to show people of all ages that sustainable clothing is a fashionable and responsible option.  
Picture
Picture
Her dedication is evident not only in her online presence but also in her personal interactions. With mobile shopping as yet another unique offering, Victor goes the extra mile to bring the 10Thirteen Vintage experience to you. 

Clancee isn't just offering fashion; she's sharing knowledge and empowerment. Her YouTube channel, aptly named "10Thirteen Vintage," is a hub of discussions on "Quality Thrifting and Everything Fancee." With meticulous care, she unveils her thrift store finds, shares their stories, and offers style advice. Her vibrant community extends to social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram, creating a space where fashion enthusiasts connect.
Picture
For aspiring entrepreneurs, Clancee Victor imparts invaluable wisdom: "Focus, stay connected, do not give up, do not hesitate to ask for help. And most of all, do not be driven by fear." These words resonate, encapsulating her recipe for success and offering a guiding light to those ready to take their own leap.
​
Wise words for sure.
 
You can find 10Thirteen Vintage online at 10thirteenVintage.com
Email: [email protected]
Facebook: 10ThirteenVintage
Instagram: @10thirteenvintage
YouTube: 10Thirteen Vintage
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture
Picture

BROWSE THE SHOPBLACKCT DIRECTORY:

BROWSE BY CITY/TOWN
BROWSE BY CATEGORY

AUTHOR

Picture
Lajeune Hollis is a Connecticut resident, media sales professional, local news junkie, daughter, sister, proud aunt and colon cancer survivor. She has spent the past 30+ years in the media industry and has written, produced and hosted mini-biographies (bio-line) for a gospel video show called Lifeline Gospel Videos on a Bridgeport, CT public access television station; written African American book reviews for a monthly urban newspaper, The Inner City Newspaper, in New Haven, CT; co-hosted an on-air book review (the L & L Book Review) on an urban contemporary radio station (WNHC AM 1340); hosted an African American monthly book club at Barnes and Noble bookstore in North Haven, CT; worked as a community radio announcer (Lovers Corner with Lajeune) at a New Haven area radio station (WYBC 94.3 FM); worked as a local ad sales manager for Umoja Newspaper in Bridgeport, CT; worked in radio advertising sales and management for a total of four Connecticut radio stations (WNHC AM 1340, WEBE 108FM, WICC 600 AM, and WYBC 94.3FM) and is currently working in local ad sales (television, digital, online, content marketing and social media) for News 8, a New Haven, CT based ABC TV affiliate. Lajeune also has her own website, LajeuneHollis.com and blog, The View from Lajeune.
This article was edited by Sharon Taylor.

PHOTOGRAPHER

Picture
Quatina Frazer is a New England photographer. She enjoys taking portrait and landscape photos. Capturing natural, candid photos is what she enjoys most. Quatina has been called a Prophetic Visualist; she desires to see deeper than the lens and the eye and she captures what's beyond and not otherwise evident. Quatina graduated from Wesleyan University in 2020 with a Master of Arts in Liberal Studies in Arts.

Archives

December 2023
October 2023
May 2023
February 2023
December 2022
November 2022
September 2022
July 2022
May 2022
April 2022
March 2022
February 2022
January 2022
December 2021
November 2021
October 2021
September 2021
August 2021
June 2021
May 2021
April 2021
March 2021
February 2021
January 2021
November 2020
October 2020
September 2020
August 2020
July 2020
June 2020

Categories

All Accessories Alexandra Frisbie Alicia Brown Allison Reynolds Allyship Angel Thompson Anti-Racism Apparel Arianna Velez Art Assistance Aviation Avon Awareness Bakery Beauty Black History Black Owned Black-owned Black Owned Business Black-owned Business Black Owned Businesses Black-owned Businesses Books Bookstore Boutique Brenda De Los Santos Bridal Bridgeport Cakes Camila Vallejo Candy Cassandra McKenna Catering CBD Classes Cleaning Clothing Community Connecticut Consultants Contest Corey Lynn Tucker Corporate Responsibility Cosmetics Crafts CTSBDC Damon Carter David Milton Disability Diversity Dr. Cicero East Hartford Education Encouragement Events Experience Farmington Fashion Female Owned Business Female-owned Business Finance Finances Financial Fine Art Fitness Food Foodies Food Truck Gardening Gary Pope Giveaway Giving Back Hair Hamden Hartford Health Homecare Inclusion IT Jaclyn Wilson Jewelry Kerry Kincy Kristen McNevins Lajeune Hollis Lajuene Hollis Larianne Tide Leaja Johnson Literacy Mahalia Anderson Maintenance Meghan Olson Mental Health Meriden Middletown Mikki Ealey Money Music Natasha Samuels New Britain New Haven Newington New London Non-profit Norwich Online Op Ed Op-ed Patrina Dixon Pets Plainville Quatina Frazer Race Racism Real Estate Resource Restaurants Retail Rode Bataille Sarah Thompson Seafood Self-care Seshu Badnirath Shariffah Mason Sharon Taylor Shopping Simsbury Skin Care Small Business Social Responsibility Sweet Treats Technology Terrence Irving Therapy Tina Frazer Torrington Training Vernon Wellness West Hartford Winsted Women Women Owned Business Women-owned Business Young Yvette Young

0 Comments

9/1/2021 1 Comment

SO BLACK CANDLE CO.: CULTURE MEETS LIT SCENTS

Picture
By Brenda De Los Santos
Summertime Fine. Living Single. Get Ta Steppin’. Gramm’s Kitchen. These are just a few of the varieties of candles and wax melts made by So Black Candle Co., “the place where culture meets lit scents,” based in New London, CT. Kylah Chadwick, owner and creative force behind the online business, combined her love for candles with elements of Black culture to create the business in September of 2020.

Chadwick hand makes all of her products, and has done extensive research and testing to ensure that her candles and melts are the best. Her products use a parasoy wax blend, which she says has a nice scent throw, and she customizes the amount of fragrance in each variety based on the type of jar used. She has even researched to ensure her candles have the right wick so her candles have strong scent throws, slow, clean burns, as well as longer burn times. Chadwick notes, “Before you ever get the candle there is so much testing that goes in behind it. I double check the packaging and the candle itself. I go above and beyond to make sure when the candles arrive they have a good experience.” She has even gone so far as to contact shipping services on behalf of her customers. 
Picture
A one-woman show, the business keeps her very busy — she does everything herself, from website creation and maintenance, designing her product labels, and regular trips to the post office to ship orders. She thinks that being relatable to people is a big part of providing great customer service. “At first, some people don’t realize there is an actual person behind the business,” she says, “but then people see that I am a regular person listening to their concerns.”
​
With many other handcrafted candle businesses out there, Chadwick knows the concept behind her candles and melts stands out. “People will see a  label and connect to it whether it's a show that they remember or that the Gramm candle reminds them of their grandma.” Some of her most popular varieties are 90’s R&B, a sangria scent that comes with a playlist, Double Melanin, a cocoa butter and cashmere scent, and her sample packs, which include nine varieties in tea light form. Her Black culture-centered products are available as wax melts, 4 ounce candles in a tin, or 8 ounce candles in a glass jar, as well as two different options for sample packs.
Picture
Picture
“People will see a  label and connect to it whether it's a show that they remember or that the Gramm candle reminds them of their grandma.” 
Picture
Having gone to school for social work (she has a masters degree in it) and currently working as a full-time crisis specialist, candle making has given her a creative outlet; She sees each candle as a work of art. “I feel like I found my passion,” she says, “I knew I wanted to make it into a business, I just didn’t expect it to go this fast.” So Black Candle Co. celebrates it’s one-year anniversary in September 2021, and Chadwick’s next goal is to be working for herself. 

Find So Black Candle Co. on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, or visit their website to shop or learn more.
Picture
Picture

BROWSE THE SHOPBLACKCT DIRECTORY:

BROWSE BY CITY/TOWN
BROWSE BY CATEGORY

Picture

AUTHOR & PHOTOGRAPHER

A New London, CT native, Brenda De Los Santos (she/her) has always considered herself a creative. As a child and teen, she was always drawing, painting, or whatever other visual medium she could try. In college at Boston University, she signed up for a photography class on a whim and immediately became hooked - she fell in love with telling people's stories with photos and graduated with a degree in photojournalism. 

After working on staff at daily newspapers for years, Brenda took her photography in a different direction and now focuses on portrait and wedding photography. Brenda celebrates diversity and is incredibly proud of her Puerto Rican heritage, which means her ancestors are Indigenous, African and European. She loves getting to capture the unique backgrounds of her clients as well.

In 2019 she started a photo project, “Small City, Great Women,” which celebrates the great women of her hometown of New London through photos and words.

When she is not photographing people, Brenda loves to photograph the beauty found in nature and the landscapes around us. 

​Aside from photography, Brenda is a person who believes in the good in people and the beauty of the human spirit. She gives back with photography and in her personal life as a volunteer with Help-Portrait, Now I Lay Me Down To Sleep and Nutmeg Big Brothers Big Sisters.

Archives

August 2021
June 2021
May 2021
April 2021
March 2021
February 2021
January 2021
November 2020
October 2020
September 2020
August 2020
July 2020
June 2020

Categories

All Accessories Alexandra Frisbie Alicia Brown Allison Reynolds Allyship Angel Thompson Anti-Racism Apparel Arianna Velez Art Assistance Aviation Avon Awareness Bakery Beauty Black History Black Owned Black-owned Black Owned Business Black-owned Business Black Owned Businesses Black-owned Businesses Books Bookstore Boutique Brenda De Los Santos Cakes Camila Vallejo Candy Cassandra McKenna Catering CBD Classes Cleaning Clothing Community Connecticut Consultants Contest Corey Lynn Tucker Corporate Responsibility Cosmetics Crafts CTSBDC Damon Carter David Milton Disability Diversity Dr. Cicero East Hartford Education Encouragement Experience Farmington Female Owned Business Female-owned Business Finance Finances Financial Fine Art Fitness Food Foodies Food Truck Gary Pope Giveaway Giving Back Hair Hartford Health Homecare Inclusion IT Jaclyn Wilson Jewelry Kerry Kincy Kristen McNevins Lajeune Hollis Lajuene Hollis Larianne Tide Literacy Mahalia Anderson Maintenance Meghan Olson Mental Health Meriden Middletown Money Natasha Samuels New Britain Newington New London Norwich Online Op Ed Op-ed Patrina Dixon Pets Plainville Race Racism Real Estate Resource Restaurants Retail Rode Bataille Sarah Thompson Seafood Self-care Seshu Badnirath Shariffah Mason Shopping Simsbury Skin Care Small Business Social Responsibility Sweet Treats Technology Terrence Irving Therapy Torrington Training Vernon Wellness West Hartford Winsted Women Women Owned Business Women-owned Business Young Yvette Young

1 Comment

4/12/2021 2 Comments

ReFramed by Nikki: Viewing Life Through a Different Lens

Picture
By Lajeune Hollis
​Launched in August 2020, ReFramed by Nikki is an eyewear business located in North Haven, Connecticut. Owner Nicole Forbes-Shaw—who goes by “Nikki”—is a nurse by trade who believes that patient care should be a nurse’s first priority.
 
With an extensive professional background in nursing, Nikki is an Assistant Nurse Manager of the Interventional Immunology Center where she assists in managing two out of six sites that focus on chronic and auto-immune diseases including multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, scleroderma, lupus and other inflammatory disorders. Nikki also attends Western Governors University and is actively working to complete her Masters in Nursing in 2022. 
Picture
To Nikki, “ReFramed means reframing your visual perspective. Your glasses make your whole visual perspective – clear.” The ReFramed by Nikki eyewear includes a range of styles, from chic and precise, to astute and edgy, with eyewear styles categorized in unique collections, each of which has a significant meaning.

The first collection, “The Collective,” was introduced during the COVID-19 pandemic and was a way of acknowledging the heroic work of close family, friends and colleagues who worked as essential workers – including Nikki herself. Ten percent of the proceeds from eyewear purchased from “The Collective” collection was given to Yale Haven Hospital’s COVID Relief Fund. 
Picture
Picture
“ReFramed means reframing your visual perspective. Your glasses make your whole visual perspective – clear.” 
Picture
The second collection, launched in October 2020, is the “While Black” collection. It was introduced to increase cultural awareness and knowledge of common stereotypes and issues faced within the Black community. 

ReFramed by Nikki is an online-based eyewear business that also offers services such as virtual and in-person consultations. In-person consultations are offered for a ten-dollar fee per person. These consultations offer an opportunity to meet with Nikki or a brand ambassador to try on and purchase frames upfront (depending on availability). To ensure the utmost safety during the COVID-19 pandemic, Nikki and her team adhere to CDC guidelines when meeting in-person. Group consultations require a minimum of five people, with the host receiving their consultation free of charge. 
Picture
Beginning in Spring 2021, ReFramed by Nikki will offer a new service for clients outside of Connecticut who want to try on or purchase frames. This service will allow clients to select four eyewear styles of their choice and schedule a private Zoom consultation with Nikki or a brand ambassador. The brand will also be expanding to include eyewear for kids, readers and smaller frames for petite faces. 
 
Click here to visit the ReFramed by Nikki website or find ReFramed by Nikki on Instagram or Facebook.
Picture
Picture

BROWSE THE SHOPBLACKCT.COM DIRECTORY:

BROWSE BY CITY/TOWN
BROWSE BY CATEGORY

Picture

AUTHOR

Lajeune Hollis is a Connecticut resident, media sales professional, local news junkie, daughter, sister, proud aunt and colon cancer survivor. She has spent the past 30+ years in the media industry and has written, produced and hosted mini-biographies (bio-line) for a gospel video show called Lifeline Gospel Videos on a Bridgeport, CT public access television station; written African American book reviews for a monthly urban newspaper, The Inner City Newspaper, in New Haven, CT; co-hosted an on-air book review (the L & L Book Review) on an urban contemporary radio station (WNHC AM 1340); hosted an African American monthly book club at Barnes and Noble bookstore in North Haven, CT; worked as a community radio announcer (Lovers Corner with Lajeune) at a New Haven area radio station (WYBC 94.3 FM); worked as a local ad sales manager for Umoja Newspaper in Bridgeport, CT; worked in radio advertising sales and management for a total of four Connecticut radio stations (WNHC AM 1340, WEBE 108FM, WICC 600 AM, and WYBC 94.3FM) and is currently working in local ad sales (television, digital, online, content marketing and social media) for News 8, a New Haven, CT based ABC TV affiliate.
Picture

PHOTOGRAPHER

Meghan Olson is an up-and-coming photographer based out of Connecticut who specializes in lifestyle, portraiture, and food photography. Meghan believes in the power of visual storytelling and strives to create work that portrays something deeper than a beautiful image. She graduated from Southern Connecticut State University with a BA in studio art and concentration in photography.

Archives

April 2021
March 2021
February 2021
January 2021
November 2020
October 2020
September 2020
August 2020
July 2020
June 2020

Categories

All Accessories Alexandra Frisbie Alicia Brown Allison Reynolds Allyship Angel Thompson Anti-Racism Apparel Arianna Velez Art Assistance Aviation Avon Awareness Bakery Beauty Black History Black Owned Black-owned Black Owned Business Black-owned Business Black Owned Businesses Black-owned Businesses Books Bookstore Boutique Brenda De Los Santos Cakes Camila Vallejo Candy Cassandra McKenna Catering CBD Classes Cleaning Clothing Community Connecticut Consultants Contest Corey Lynn Tucker Corporate Responsibility Cosmetics CTSBDC Damon Carter David Milton Disability Diversity Dr. Cicero East Hartford Education Encouragement Experience Farmington Female-owned Business Finance Finances Financial Fine Art Fitness Food Foodies Food Truck Gary Pope Giveaway Giving Back Hair Hartford Health Homecare Inclusion IT Jaclyn Wilson Kerry Kincy Kristen McNevins Lajeune Hollis Lajuene Hollis Literacy Maintenance Meghan Olson Mental Health Meriden Middletown Money Natasha Samuels New Britain Newington New London Norwich Online Op Ed Op-ed Patrina Dixon Pets Plainville Race Racism Real Estate Resource Restaurants Retail Rode Bataille Sarah Thompson Seafood Self-care Seshu Badnirath Shopping Simsbury Skin Care Small Business Social Responsibility Sweet Treats Technology Terrence Irving Therapy Torrington Training Vernon Wellness West Hartford Winsted Women Women Owned Business Women-owned Business Young Yvette Young

2 Comments

    RSS Feed


    ABOUT  -  CONTACT  -  DIRECTORY BY CATEGORY  -  ​DIRECTORY BY TOWN  -  SUBMIT A BUSINESS