LaToya Moxey's drive and extensive experience in the retail and hospitality industries have led her to launch Maven Brands, a unique lifestyle company.
In this week's edition of Da Plunge, the owner and creative director spoke candidly about the three companies that encompass Maven Brands: Minka Swimwear, Maven Candles & Company and Dragon Flies Media Group. She shared with Guardian Business that her companies reflect various aspects of her life, but it all began with the opening of Maven Candles & Company in 2009.
"Well, I was in the retail industry before I came into hospitality. That's when I got a chance to see how parent companies operate and how they have subsidiaries underneath them. So, I always had the ideas in the back of my head," she explained.
"I didn't want to limit myself just because someone says that I can't or that I shouldn't or they don't have anything to do with one another. Just because I was interested in those particular things, I just did my research and what was required of me to get it started. I took my time to bring each company into fruition."
Moxey described Maven Brands as a lifestyles company that offers many different services.
"One of our companies is Minka Swimwear. We design high-end swimwear for the young miss and junior markets, as well as Maven Candles and Company where we manufacture soy candles, massage oil to individuals and we wholesale them to our local spas, hotels and other companies on the islands," she said. "Dragon Flies Media Group is a boutique media group where we have a networking system with professionals in graphic design. The marketing and public relations world come together to make sure that we all get work."
Moxey admitted to Guardian Business that her life is quite interesting, as she balances her roles as mother and wife, running her three growing businesses and holding down a full-time job. But said she wouldn't have it any other way.
She further noted how each company has a special focus in her life.
"With Maven Candles & Company, it was my first company so it took precedence over everything else because I wanted to produce a product that was really true to the concept that I had for it which is a natural, green product. That one is very special to me."
"Later on, after having an issue finding a swimsuit I liked and of course being a mother, a woman in her early to mid 30s, we start to get body conscious. So I started thinking about creating something that would make me feel comfortable and in turn make other women feel comfortable. Any time I have a line now, my focus is on that, each company has a special place and focus."
When she started her first business three years ago, the biggest challenge she faced was funding. Despite this challenge, Moxey said her businesses are growing and showing great promise, as she currently has one full-time employee and a team of volunteers.
"I have someone from the Job Readiness program working for me. I am fortunate to have a full-time employee to learn about what I am doing and utilize it, whether she stays with the company or ventures out into the job market. Depending on the project size, we have a volunteer team that assist us in getting the job done," according to Moxey.
Moxey said she is excited about Maven Brand's future, as there are several initiatives on the agenda for all three companies.
"We have just completed our website, rebranding and restructuring mavenbrands.net and it's now an e-commerce site. We will be re-branding our products, changing our logos and adding more items to them because we are getting a lot of international interest now, so we have been shipping items away. We are so excited because we didn't have that experience before, up until this year."
"We are making sure that our product is retail ready. For Minka Swimwear, we are working with our manufacturers to produce our inventory and we are getting ready to showcase our collection again. We will be offering our swimwear to a retail store in Naples, Florida."

Click here to read more at The Nassau Guardian