BusinessCEO of Séjour Creations Turns Tragedy into Triumph

admin4 years ago5035 min

CEO of Séjour Creations Turns Tragedy into Triumph

Frankie Kounouho, CEO of Séjour Creations of Phoenix, Arizona, tells C2Change about turning her tragedy into triumph.

Frankie Kounouho, CEO of Séjour Creations of Phoenix, Arizona

Throughout the country, individuals have been impacted by the Coronavirus through the loss of loved ones; the loss of financial security; and the loss of navigating to a familiar way of life—grieving, worrying, wondering how they will get through their life’s circumstances.

C2Change wants to channel creative change with stories of encouragement and healing through just-like-me personal journeys. Journey’s like that of Frankie Kounouho, CEO of Séjour Creations of Phoenix, Arizona, who tells C2Change about her tragedy into triumph in a personal interview.

C2Change: How did you start Séjour Creations?

Well, Séjour Creations was a dream in the making. A journey that started in 2007, a year after my only child, Donovin, unexpectedly died at the age of four. In the foggy haze of dealing with unsurmountable grief and sorrow, I found myself searching for an outlet. An outlet for the energy consuming me with the pain of losing my child.

And as strange as this may sound, my journey to starting Séjour Creations—and finding that outlet for the energy consuming my world—began as just a typical run to my neighborhood grocery store. While shopping, I encountered a shopper that was wearing a stunning necklace. It was gorgeous! Just breathtaking! Upon inquiring where she had purchased it from, I learned that her friend, in California, had made it for her. (It was a unique custom-made piece.) And for some reason, I got it in my head that I could make a similar necklace for myself. So, with the image of the necklace ingrained in my memory bank, I headed for a popular arts and crafts store and proceeded to ask the clerk for all the items I would need to make my own (very first) necklace—with my own flavor of course.

The clerk provided me with all the necessary items and even went a step further and pointed me in the direction of their weekly class on making jewelry—I, of course, attended. And from that moment on, I started making my own unique jewelry pieces.

At first, the jewelry was not for sale. It was mainly a therapeutic release for me. My therapy for helping me with the grief of losing Donovin. But one day, while I was out shopping for more jewelry-making-tools, a lady stopped me and inquired about a bracelet I was wearing. (God was bringing me full circle!) Upon informing her that I made the piece myself, she shared with me some information about a trade show that I might be interested in attending; a way of selling my jewelry pieces. And although I had not a clue as to what I was doing or about to get into, I attended the trade show. To my surprise, I had attendees buy my creations and Séjour Creations was born!

C2Change: Why the name Séjour Creations?

Séjour is derived from the French word stay/endurance (when used as a noun) and fit perfectly for the new journey I was on—overcoming tragedy and walking into triumph.

A new journey that not only helped bring me out of darkness during the saddest time of my life, but a journey that awakened my passion to help anyone wearing my jewelry feel, and know, that they are unique in a world demanding that we be identical.

The jewelry at Séjour Creations (We don’t duplicate any of the jewelry pieces.) is as unique as the individual wearing it; and is currently available for purchase at:
https://sejourcreations.com/
https://www.etsy.com/shop/SejourCreations

Since each piece is unique, there will be a continual rotation of pieces listed for sale.

                    

C2Change: Has starting Séjour Creations been easy for you?

O-M-G! I’m telling you; the struggle is real! (And put a thousand exclamation marks behind the real.)

When Séjour Creations was established, I was working full-time. Longing. And I do mean “longing” to spend more time doing what my heart was screaming to do…create more jewelry that is. I struggled trying to balance the two worlds; and while I no longer work a full-time job, the struggle with balancing multiple responsibilities still exists.

Additionally—I need to throw this out there for those on similar journey’s thinking about giving up. Don’t!—self-doubt is a struggle that I continue to battle with. There have been moments where I thought about just giving up. Giving up and going back to being comfortable with a day-to-day life that I was familiar with. To exacerbate these feelings, I would find myself comparing my journey to other individuals creating jewelry—even those on a larger scale. Which left me wondering: Could I ever be as good as they are? Could I ever be an established brand? When that self-doubt awakens (and it does), I remind myself of one of the guiding principles of Séjour Creations: We are unique in a world demanding that we all be identical.

Last, one of the biggest struggles has been the financial struggle of establishing a business, sustaining a business, and continually growing that business. That struggle (if you stick with it) will continue! You just get better with navigating those financial struggles as you and your brand grows.

C2Change: What are you most proud of as a company and what sets you apart from others?

Séjour Creations is a company that designs and creates one-of-a-kind, handcrafted, jewelry pieces; using only the finest materials. Each piece is painstakingly created, by hand, without blueprints or drawings. Just creativity in its rawest form. My decision to never duplicate any of the jewelry has and continues to set Séjour Creations apart from others.

And I am most proud of the fact that through the highs and lows, I haven’t given up on my passion, the jewelry business, nor the Séjour Creations company and brand. Equally, I can never forget the tragedy that put me on this path. Not a day goes by that a part of Donovin is not in a decision or creation I make.

You can connect Séjour Creations via its Social Media channels: Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram

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C2Change (Channeling Creative Change) Magazine launched to chronicle and bring attention to social and racial injustices—providing a platform for voiceless and disenfranchised people of color. Founded in 2018, our mission is to build dialogue about personal experiences, community challenges, and cultural struggles; chronicling each experience, challenge and struggle to push for the continual change and betterment of our communities for the next generation.

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