septemberMust

Haves

10. Create Harmony Allure Transitional Shades magically transition natural light into the best light of your life. You'll delight in the nearly endless variety of light control and viewing options at every level. Close your Allure Transitional shades to create the privacy you desire or transition your shades to enjoy exceptional view-through while gently filtering harsh daylight.

Blinds & More Interior Design Group 507.380.5019 blindsandmore.org

11. Light Up Your Life

As the daylight starts to fade earlier each night, light up your favorite corner with a little glow. Lamps for your desk, for reading or just a brighter room. We have a huge selection of lamps ready to illuminate and punctuate your home. Larson's Home Furnishings Redwood Falls 507.637.8346 & Marshall 507.532.6320 larsonfurniture.com

12. Cimarosse Upholstered Accent Chair

With its sleek profile and chrome-finished metal base, this accent chair has an unmistakable contemporary appearance. The tufted back and seat cushions add a stylistic element, and contribute to the irresistible comfort of this piece. ONLY $149. Rooms and Rest Furniture and Mattress

1760 Madison Ave. Mankato, MN 56001 1704 North State St. New Ulm, MN 56073 roomsandrest.com

13. Love at first sight! This novel and colorful console will be the focal point of any room and so versatile! Would make an unique TV stand, hallway bureau or accent piece or anywhere you want a wow-factor. Hayden's Furniture & Floorcovering

14 East Central Springfield, MN 56087 507.723.5415

Timeless stone recreated to resemble diverse range of projects ----stone options: ledgestone with stunning character with varying heights and depths; old world replicates hand chiseled stones from 19th century; blends contains unique variety of stones which create a natural feel; fieldstone is tailored with a rugged texture with distinct edges; limestone is a classic rectangular and square stone; country rubble irregularly shaped stones designed to fit well with rugged appearance kwik stack modular panel with smaller stone with drystack look.

Nordaas American Homes

10091 State Hwy 22 Minnesota Lake, MN 56068

800-658-7076 nordaashomes.com

It's that time of year to get your yard cleaned up and ready for fall. Be ready to get the job done with quality STIHL power equipment available at C&S Supply., where we not only sell the equipment we service it as well.

C&S Supply

1951 N. Riverfront Dr. Mankato, MN 56001

507.387.1171 or

800.879.1938

An ancient, asian-style grill, the kamado is a thick-walled cooker that imparts rich, smoky flavor to meats, fish and vegetables. relatively unchanged for centuries, air flows through the grill’s ceramic body and out its vented dome, chunk charcoal comes to life as smoke and heat. Kamado Joe is proud to draw on that tradition, modernizing the grill’s classic style with unparalleled craftsmanship, innovative accessories and a range of flexible cooking surfaces. simple to configure and cook on and easy to clean, all aspects of these grills were developed to make sure every grilling experience is as fun and rewarding as it can be.

DeGrood's Home Store

220 St. Andrews Dr. Mankato, MN 56001

507.388.9391 shopdegroods.com

UL listed outdoor gas fire pits and fire pit tables are the perfect complement to your backyard, deck, pool or patio. No matter your exterior design style – modern, trendy, traditional, farmhouse, or contemporary –gather around a Warm cozy fire pit with your friends and family!

Glowing Hearth & Home

241 St. Andrews Dr. Mankato, MN 56001

507.345.8084

BACKGROUND:

AND MONIQUE HAIR COMPANY

YVETTE ANTHONY

Anthony grew up in a poverty stricken area of Gary, Indiana. At the age of 17, she decided she wanted something better for herself and her family so she moved to Minnesota, finding her way to Mankato in 2013. Her first job in town was at Fun.com.

It was there she met Jenice Fallenstein, matriarch of the family costume business, who Anthony says energized her to believe in herself.

“Her family business was an inspiration to me,” said Anthony, “I wanted to be able to give a legacy like that to my own children.”

Yvette began selling hair products out of her van. She started with a few products and the requests grew since most people who wanted hair products either had to shop online or drive to the Twin Cities.

“I was a 24-hour hair delivery service,” she said. “They would ask me if I had this or if I had that, so I would go research the product and learn how to buy them.”

Eventually she dedicated her second bedroom to the shop and just eight months ago rented her business space.

CHALLENGES:

“All of it has been a challenge,” said Anthony, “I have had to learn every step of the way how to be a business owner.”

The most helpful piece of advice that she has received was to use her resources and be aware of government programs. According to Yvette, a major downfall of young black entrepreneurs is that they fail to utilize their resources and find funding and support options.

Anthony has worked closely with the Small Business Development Center and the Southern Minnesota Initiative. She also hires a business consultant when needed.

She admits, there has been tears and times when she felt she couldn’t do it, however she feels this has become bigger than herself.

“Sometimes I want to quit,” Anthony said, “But then someone comes in and says, thank you for being here and having something in the community that is for us and about us.”

PRODUCTS:

Everything Anthony sells is under the umbrella of hair extensions. Her most popular product is expression braids and she says that braiding is gaining in popularity. Braids, when done right, can last up to six weeks. Anthony also offers sew-in hair. Hair is sewn right into your natural hair with a needle and thread. It can take two to four hours and lasts up to eight weeks. Tape hair— strips of hair on tape, and clip hair that attached to your natural hair, are quick and easy ways to lengthen or add volume.

She also sells wigs. You can choose from synthetic hair or human hair. Human hair lasts longer and looks more natural, which brings a larger price tag.

Anthony attends numerous trainings to understand and learn about new products. Although she does not cut or style hair, she has salon certification so that she understands how her products are used best, and without damaging the hair.

“This is not a salon, it’s a shop,” Anthony said, “My products are meant to embrace and enhance the natural hair.”

GOALS:

Although Anthony does not offer salon services, she does have a chair and a salon license, so stylists can rent the space. She hopes to continue to add new products and services.

Ultimately her goal is to make Monique Hair Company a training center. She is already providing guidance to self-taught stylists to get certified or licensed.

Anthony continues to work side jobs to help support her business, with the plan in increase her growing customer base until Monique Hair Company is self-sustaining.

For now, the biggest thing Yvette wants is to raise awareness about the shop and to let customers know that they are more than a typical beauty supply company.

“We want to supply the needs and wants of the people of this community,” she said. “To be productive and able to give back is such a blessing for me.” RVW