Meet Tonya Cross. She’s the Salisbury resident, founder and designer behind Accented Glory, a handcrafted accessories brand rooted in culture, creativity and meaning. What began as a personal solution became a business that now reaches customers across the country through online sales, wholesale partnerships and even national audiences through media coverage.
Tonya’s journey started long before Accented Glory became a brand. In 2000, she made the decision to wear her hair natural, without chemicals.
“I was having a hard time finding hair accessories that were mature, stylish and actually friendly to natural hair,” she said. “A lot of what was available caused friction and damage, and it just wasn’t made for women like me.”
At the encouragement of a friend, Tonya decided to make her own accessories. What she did not realize at the time was that the challenge she faced was shared by many others.
“I didn’t think of it as a business at first,” she said. “It was just something I made for myself. Then people started asking if I could make some for them too.”
Friends and family began purchasing her designs, and eventually, Tonya opened an Etsy shop. Orders started coming in, and she began to see the potential for something more.
“I remember thinking, ‘Maybe I actually have something here,’” she said.
For years, Accented Glory remained a creative outlet alongside Tonya’s full-time career in healthcare.
“It was my stress reliever,” she said. “I work in healthcare, and this gave me a creative outlet that helped balance everything else.”
In 2017, an opportunity through Amazon’s Black Business Accelerator Program changed the direction of her business. After being accepted into the program, Tonya began selling on Amazon and obtained her trademark.
“That experience opened doors I didn’t even know were available,” she said.
In 2019, Tonya noticed an unexpected increase in sales and decided to take a closer look at the data.
“When I checked my dashboard, I saw Essence.com was driving traffic to my shop,” she said. “I googled my brand name and realized I had been featured. I was shocked.”
Additional national features followed, including placements on Refinery29 and Good Housekeeping. That momentum proved Accented Glory was more than a side project.
“My husband looked at me and said, ‘I think you really have something here,’” Tonya said. “He pushed me to decide if this was going to stay a hobby or become a true income source.”
Tonya believes Accented Glory stands out from other brands through the intentional use of natural materials, particularly the cowrie shell, which appears in every design.
“The shell means different things to different communities,” Tonya explained. “For some it represents prosperity, for others protection, and for others it’s tied to culture and travel. I really believe the shell found me.”
As the business grew across multiple sales channels, Tonya began to feel overwhelmed by inventory management.
“I felt like I was on a hamster wheel,” she said. “As soon as something sold, I was rushing to replenish it. I knew there had to be a better way.”
In 2025, she reached out to Meg Johnson, Director of the Rowan-Cabarrus Small Business Center for help. Through one-on-one counseling, Tonya gained clarity on how her business was structured.
“One of the biggest lightbulb moments was realizing I had three separate inventories,” she said. “That alone changed how I looked at my business.”
Meg later encouraged her to apply for Retail Lab, a six-week business boot camp hosted at the Cabarrus Center and powered by the Rowan-Cabarrus Small Business Center and the Flywheel Foundation.
“Retail Lab pushed me to dig deeper,” Tonya said. “It encouraged me to really take the time to refine my story and my vision.”
During pitch preparation for a micro-grant competition at the end of the bootcamp, Tonya received guidance that reshaped how she communicated her brand.
“One of the most helpful things I learned was how to slow down and tell my story to someone who knew nothing about it,” she said. “That made a huge difference.”
At the end of the program, Tonya was awarded a grant. The funding allowed her to invest in equipment that streamlined production and reduced physical strain.
Looking ahead, Tonya is launching her leather collection, with one new design releasing each quarter. Her first piece, a leather watch design, will debut in February.
“This year is about being more intentional,” she said. “I want to niche down, collaborate with other local artists, and continue building something meaningful.”
Reflecting on her experience, Tonya encourages other entrepreneurs to take advantage of the Small Business Center.
“The information you receive is priceless,” she said. “You gain tools, referrals and a network that truly wants to see you succeed.”
To learn more about Accented Glory or explore Tonya’s designs, visit www.accentedglory.com, follow along on social media at @accentedglory, or join her email list through her website.
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