Like so many business owners, Dominique Nixon found her life turned upside down by the COVID-19 pandemic.
Nixon, who had studied at Paul Mitchell in Twinsburg and operated Salon Lofts in Beachwood for 10 years, found herself out of work when businesses were shuttered across the state in March 2020.
“When COVID-19 showed up and shut my Salon Loft down, I was devastated,” Nixon said. “The career I worked so hard in and loved and the way I was able to make a living to provide for my two kids was at a standstill, with no income coming in and a big cloud of negative energy and thoughts filled my mind.”
However, Nixon said when she watched the Netflix series “Self Made: The Life of Madam C.J. Walker,“ a series with Akron native and NBA basketball star LeBron James as one of the executive producers, “my wheels were turning.”
“Self Made” is based on the true story of a Black woman who would go on to become the first female self-made millionaire. Born Sarah Breedlove in 1867, she created a line of Black hair care products, which can still be found today, according to information from the Guinness World Records website.
“I was in amazement of how she made something out of nothing,” Nixon said. “For many years, I have been focusing on living a healthy, holistic lifestyle as much as possible. As a licensed cosmetologist, I have studied the negative effects chemicals have on the skin and hair. So I understand how important it is to use all natural products on myself and my kids. I studied recipes and I have been making body butters, soaps and oils for my kids and myself since my son was born in 2011.
“I had a thought, ‘What if I make these wonderful products and sell them to my family and friends?’ And I did just that.”
The result was Crystal and Cream Boutique, which started earlier this year as an online enterprise, selling candles, skin and haircare products, and other items.
Nixon’s store at 10574 Ravenna Road in Twinsburg will have its grand opening Saturday, Oct. 9. The opening will run from noon to 4 p.m., and will include food, drink, giveaways and entertainment.
Nixon, who moved to Twinsburg with her son and daughter about three years ago, said she had initially started selling her products in local businesses around the Cleveland area.
Some of the products available at Crystal and Cream Boutique include skincare, hair care, reiki crystals, facial massage, and manifestations candles, Nixon said.
“My products have help me take care of my kids provide them a sense of stability during these very difficult times,” Nixon said. “My boutique is a unique space to provide you with love, light, amazing products that are charged with crystals, and healing services with crystals. We offer classes and personalized training sessions to help manifest your dreams into reality.”
Reporter April Helms can be reached at [email protected]
At a glance
Business: Crystal and Cream Boutique
Owner: Dominique Nixon
Founded: Grand opening Saturday, Oct. 9
Where: 10574 Ravenna Road, Twinsburg
Phone number: 216-978-3698.
Website: https://www.crystalncream.com
Email: [email protected]
About the series
The Beacon Journal is profiling Black-owned businesses in Summit County. Read more of these profiles at https://bit.ly/3jb0h1e. The Beacon Journal will continue to highlight minority-owned businesses as part of its ongoing regular coverage.
https://www.beaconjournal.com/story/news/local/2021/10/06/twinsburg-resident-opens-boutique-after-covid-19-closes-salon/6008434001/
