Today we’d like to introduce you to Amanda Linton-Hammond.
Hi Amanda, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Ever since I was younger, I knew I wanted to be an entrepreneur. I knew I wanted to be my own boss. Although my mom and dad worked they always had a side hustle for extra income. My mom gambled and been pretty fortunate over the years.My dad was an entrepreneur having his own auto shop called G&T pretty much all my life. (RIP Daddy). The hustle was already in me from my parents who always made a way for my siblings and I growing up, rather she hit a lottery or gambling at the casino or my dad fixing people cars. I started Be Pretty Not Petty Apparel during covid with the push and help of my husband Romayne Hammond and my brother Cornelius Johnson. I was working in transportation as a lead trainer. Work was becoming overwhelming and I came home one day and told my husband this can’t be my life. Working paycheck to paycheck. He said why don’t you start your own business.
I said doing what? He said maybe fashion! People always tell you how nice you look. I then said well who’s going to support me? He said, “People you don’t even know. I started off making charm bracelets and selling them to my family because I was afraid to approach people. I was at my mom’s house and she said there were some girls right there walking across the street. See if they want to buy some bracelets. I said no I’m scared. My mom called them over and asked them for me, and they said sure. My mom sold all my bracelets that day. I just needed to get out of my own way with the shyness and I did. All of my siblings have their own businesses. I asked my sister Katrina if I could host a pop-up shop at her house the following week. She agreed, while she sold cakes and desserts I sold my merchandise. I would post on Instagram telling people to pull up on me, and they did. They came out and supported my sister and I. I used my mom approach to sell my bracelets. It was clean, sweet, simple and it worked.
I did this every other weekend adding more items like lashes, clothes, fur slides, waistbeads and purses. I then started doing pop-up shops in DC, PG County, and Baltimore. My niece Deaijah called me and said Aunt Manda, why aren’t you at the Patapsco Flea Market? I said, “Why would I be there? She then said all the cute little boutiques are over there. I think it will be a good look for you. I went over to the Patapsco Flea Market and opened up my first stand with my daughters Kamoore and Aubrey. We have since grown within 3 years we now have 3 successful stands at the Patapsco Flea Market.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It has its upsides and downsides. I have been blessed over the years.
We are in such a competitive environment, that I was able to build an amazing clientele. Once you shop at Be Pretty Not Petty Apparel we become family. I provide great quality, affordable, cute trendy Apparel and accessories.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Be Pretty Not Petty Apparel is not just a brand we are a movement. We love to get out there in the communities and give back, whether it’s feeding the homeless or giving away school supplies to the kids. I Amanda Linton-Hammond am the owner of Be Pretty Not Petty Apparel.
We specialize in women’s apparel for all sizes, waist beads, lashes, press-on nails, zodiac necklaces, year necklaces, personalized name necklaces and earrings, jibbitz for Crocs, unique purses, and natural stone bracelets. We are known for our great customer service, affordability, and great quality in our products and that is what also sets us apart from others. I am most proud of the dignity we have when helping people feel good about themselves. I meet so many women who are insecure about themselves and by the time they are finished with me, they are thanking me for pushing them to love themselves more. Be Pretty Not Petty Apparel is all about uplifting others not downing them.
So often women are afraid to love each other because of hate and or jealousy, but we are here to push the narrative that we are a force when we work together. We are located at The Patapsco Flea Market, 1400 W Patapsco Ave in Baltimore Maryland 21230 every Saturday and Sunday from 9-5 pm in Sunroom 1 and City Market inside the Market.
If we knew you growing up, how would we have described you?
Growing up in a small community in the Southside of Baltimore called Cherry Hill was pretty rough. I always had to defend myself. I didn’t let anybody get away with disrespecting me. I was a hothead, bad in school at first until I got to 8th grade.
I was getting in trouble all the time with my friends. One day, all my teachers and the principals set me at this long table and started showing me my grades and asking did I wanted to be like my one friend who repeated the same grade twice. I said NO with tears falling from my face embarrassed. That was the day I changed my life.
I stopped hanging with those friends and started paying attention in class and then boom started making the honor roll. At 8th grade graduation, I received every award there was to receive. My parents were so proud of me. Being R.I.C.H (RAISED IN CHERRY HILL) made me who I am today. I am a strong woman, wife, mom, and entrepreneur who believes in second chances in life. My interest was always to be something in life and here I am doing what I love running Be Pretty Not Petty Apparel.
Pricing:
- Waistbeads $10-$15
- Clothes 15 and up
- Jibbitz $1-$5
- Bracelets $6 or 4 for $20
- Men Bracelets $10
Contact Info:
- Website: Beprettynotpettyapparel.com
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/beprettynotpettyapparel?igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA==
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Beprettynotpettyapparel?mibextid=ZbWKwL
