Meet Tonya Cross. She\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
Tonya\u2019s journey started long before Accented Glory became a brand. In 2000, she made the decision to wear her hair natural, without chemicals.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was having a hard time finding hair accessories that were mature, stylish and actually friendly to natural hair,\u201d she said. \u201cA lot of what was available caused friction and damage, and it just wasn\u2019t made for women like me.\u201d<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cI didn\u2019t think of it as a business at first,\u201d she said. \u201cIt was just something I made for myself. Then people started asking if I could make some for them too.\u201d<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cI remember thinking, \u2018Maybe I actually have something here,\u2019\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
For years, Accented Glory remained a creative outlet alongside Tonya\u2019s full-time career in healthcare.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt was my stress reliever,\u201d she said. \u201cI work in healthcare, and this gave me a creative outlet that helped balance everything else.\u201d<\/p>\n
In 2017, an opportunity through Amazon\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat experience opened doors I didn\u2019t even know were available,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
In 2019, Tonya noticed an unexpected increase in sales and decided to take a closer look at the data.<\/p>\n
\u201cWhen I checked my dashboard, I saw Essence.com was driving traffic to my shop,\u201d she said. \u201cI googled my brand name and realized I had been featured. I was shocked.\u201d<\/p>\n
Additional national features followed, including placements on Refinery29 and Good Housekeeping. That momentum proved Accented Glory was more than a side project.<\/p>\n
\u201cMy husband looked at me and said, \u2018I think you really have something here,\u2019\u201d Tonya said. \u201cHe pushed me to decide if this was going to stay a hobby or become a true income source.\u201d<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe shell means different things to different communities,\u201d Tonya explained. \u201cFor some it represents prosperity, for others protection, and for others it\u2019s tied to culture and travel. I really believe the shell found me.\u201d<\/p>\n
As the business grew across multiple sales channels, Tonya began to feel overwhelmed by inventory management.<\/p>\n
\u201cI felt like I was on a hamster wheel,\u201d she said. \u201cAs soon as something sold, I was rushing to replenish it. I knew there had to be a better way.\u201d<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cOne of the biggest lightbulb moments was realizing I had three separate inventories,\u201d she said. \u201cThat alone changed how I looked at my business.\u201d<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cRetail Lab pushed me to dig deeper,\u201d Tonya said. \u201cIt encouraged me to really take the time to refine my story and my vision.\u201d<\/p>\n
During pitch preparation for a micro-grant competition at the end of the bootcamp, Tonya received guidance that reshaped how she communicated her brand.<\/p>\n
\u201cOne of the most helpful things I learned was how to slow down and tell my story to someone who knew nothing about it,\u201d she said. \u201cThat made a huge difference.\u201d<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis year is about being more intentional,\u201d she said. \u201cI want to niche down, collaborate with other local artists, and continue building something meaningful.\u201d<\/p>\n
Reflecting on her experience, Tonya encourages other entrepreneurs to take advantage of the Small Business Center.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe information you receive is priceless,\u201d she said. \u201cYou gain tools, referrals and a network that truly wants to see you succeed.\u201d<\/p>\n
To learn more about Accented Glory or explore Tonya\u2019s designs, visit www.accentedglory.com, follow along on social media at @accentedglory, or join her email list through her website.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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