From clothing today’s curvaceous woman to reawakening one’s childhood with delectable treats, to championing for bosses with a disability, to stylishly rolling with the homies, Qiana Norshea does it all.
The multifaceted Southside Chicago native is on a quest to build her dynasty one idea at a time. And her latest endeavor, Pretty Smoke, is helping her do just that. Qiana recently sat down with My Black Lemonade to discuss her entrepreneurial empire and all things family, fashion and cannabis.
Getting in Formation
Now, if you’ve heard of the plus-size boutique, Culture’s Closet, candy store and cereal bar, Munchiez, or Peacock’s original series Born for Business, then you already know what Qiana Norshea means to Chi-town. She’s a visionary, an advocate, and a Black woman about her Black-owned business.
Since hearing the word “entrepreneur” roll off her uncle’s tongue as a little girl, Qiana knew her life’s purpose—helping people. But for her, life as a business woman is not a job. “It’s doing what I love and making money while I do it,” she says.
Those loves include showing the world curvy beauties, lupus warriors, and every Black woman in between belongs front and center. “I want women to feel the same way I do,” says Qiana. It’s about shedding the shame and embracing the sexiness, confidence and slayage that comes with one’s existence. All things she credits as inheriting from her mother, who is one of her biggest inspirations and influences.
Pretty in Purpose
Like many Black entrepreneurs, Qiana was forced to come to terms with the realities of the COVID-19 pandemic. As the world shut down and people were confined to their homes with lots of time and little to do, Qiana saw it as a goldmine of an opportunity. She began to take up space in digital arenas, increasing her social media presence making sure women and men knew her name and her brands.
And in 2020, alongside her sons and boyfriend, Qiana would open Munchiez, a vibrant candy store and cereal bar with flavor that caters to your favorite childhood sweets and entertainment.
With sales from her businesses surpassing pre-pandemic profits, it was a no-brainer that Qiana had a winning formula. And months later, on the anniversary of her late mother’s transition, Qiana would go on to launch Pretty Smoke, the accessories brand and immersive museum for ladylike smokers.
A lover of cannabis and all things beautiful, Black and woman, Qiana wanted to change the game. Thanks to her partner who was always stealing her lighters, she found a lipstick-shaped lighter he dare not touch. From there, Pretty Smoke was born. Qiana had an instant hit on her manicured hands with products quickly selling out. Pretty Smoke’s current lineup includes insanely cute rolling trays, hookah blunt hitters, lipstick lighters, mugs, and more. Simply put, Pretty Smoke keeps the ladies cute and classy while chiefing.
But the paper-rolling doesn’t stop there. Pretty Smoke isn’t just attractive paraphernalia, it’s an interactive experience. Or as Qiana describes, “a pretty trap museum.” The colorful and textured space is designed for the selfie queens who want to puff, pass and pose while being pretty. Customers can book Pretty Trap Museum for tours or personal photoshoots.
The L’s of Entrepreneurship
As a woman with many businesses under her belt, Qiana knows entrepreneurship isn’t all glitz and glam. “You truly have to have tough skin when you’re an entrepreneur,” she shares. “Some days you’re going to kill it in sales. Some days you’re not.” Her biggest challenge and lesson– learning to pivot when things may or may not work.
In the predominantly white, male cannabis industry that banked over $14 billion last year, Qiana is destined to prove she can pivot, wake, bake and slay her slice of the American pie.
Check out KeKe’s full Black in the Days interview with Qiana Norshea for an exclusive virtual tour of the Pretty Trap Museum. Head over to prettysmoker.com for your rolling needs and tell ‘em MBL sent you!
