By all accounts, Crystal Craven is not supposed to be in this successful stage in her life. She's not had it easy by any stretch of the imagination. She was raised by a foster mother from the age of four months, due to her biological mother being unable to care for her due to various disabilities, and for a time she didn't even know who her father was. She was also a pregnant teenager at the age of 16. Combined with numerous other hiccups in her youth, statistically, she should be a myriad of mediocrity, or at least by society's standards she should.
So, how did this woman who's had this many turbulent jolts in her youth, turn out to be a successful real-estate agent and a respected beauty supply store owner in her own community? Crystal says, that for her, there is no question who's responsible for her success. She says it is "Simply God." After becoming pregnant, she got a job and moved out of her foster mother's home. Determined not to be a statistic, Crystal says that she began "putting the pedal to the medal" and began to build the foundation for a better future for her and her child. The younger mother was adamant about not becoming dependent on welfare or any other aid from outside resources. Crystal began to put all of her efforts into proving to herself that she'd indeed become all that she could be.
After marrying her husband, she says that the couple began to work hard. Both were working diligently in hopes of securing a stable future. After their fourth year of marriage though, they hit a rough patch and the couple found themselves and their children homeless. Frustrated and tired at having to explain to their children why they now have to live with a relative, Crystal says she now faced a decision. She could wallow in self-pity or she could rely on that same familiar strength that she knew she possessed and use it to change her situation for the better. Crystal says she picked herself up and dusted herself off once again. She and her husband knew that they wanted to establish a legacy that their children would be proud of. So, they both began educating themselves on the necessary knowledge for both of their prospective careers.
Crystal knew that she, herself, wanted to become a real estate agent so she took the steps needed to make that a reality by attending and finishing real estate and appraisal school. For a time she also relied on "God and google" which she says was quite beneficial as well. She also knew that she wanted to help grow her own community by investing in it and becoming a small business owner. This idea was initially met with naysayers and criticisms from those who couldn't see her vision becoming a reality. Crystal says the familiar fire and drive that sustained her throughout her life took the lead though, and she took the steps needed to make it a reality. Soon, CRAVE, her own hair and beauty supply store, was born. When asked why she chose a small rural area as her business location, she says that after seeing the area lacked representation, she wanted to make it diverse. She also felt the desire to help grow the community economically by hiring employees from various backgrounds. Crystal admits it's not always easy and that there are many things that she's learning that she wishes she knew earlier on.
She also says that in the beginning she was met with internal questions such as "What if I don't succeed?" and "What if I lose it all? ". She decided to put those thoughts aside and instead focus on positive affirmations and give them greater power in her thinking. Crystal relies on her faith and scriptures such as, Psalm 46:5: "God is within her and she will not fail." A typical day for Crystal would likely "wipe out" the average person but she says able to tackle each day by first affirming her faith in God. From there, she's able to show houses if needed and also run CRAVE as well.
The realtor and entrepreneur offers these words of information and motivation to anyone who wishes to pursue entrepreneurship: You cannot be afraid to fail! Everyone will not support you and you have to be ok with that. You must get up when you call otherwise you'll stay down and stuck! When asked what she wants her legacy to be she says wants people to remember and acknowledge her as a believer in God's grace and mercy. She says that if she can change even one person's mindset by extending grace and mercy then she feels she's done her job as her heavenly father has!
For more information about CRAVE or to contact Crystal Cravens, please go to @cravehairandbeautysupply.com or call 337-240-6119. To reach Crystal directly for real estate purposes, please go to 337-414-0571 or contact her office by calling 337-602-6052.
