We had the good fortune of connecting with Alexandra Bruno and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Alexandra, how has your background shaped the person you are today?
My parents are both immigrants who came to Miami in the 80s. My mom is from Guatemala and my dad is from Dominican Republic. I was born and raised in Allapattah(AP). Growing up in AP, my mom, dad, and uncles all worked at the gas station at the end of the block. My neighbors on both sides were my aunts and uncles every one knew each other and took care of each other. I grew up with a true sense of community which has a major impact on who I am today. Everyone knew they could go to my Tia Magi’s house if they needed a place to stay or a hot meal. We could go to the bodega and the owners would let us take our purchases even if we didn’t have enough. Who can forget the beloved Allapattah Branch Library, a safe haven for all the kids in the area and  where I first fell in love with books. Mrs. Gloria, the librarian, challenged us to read books to expand our minds and win free Mickey D’s ice cream. The biggest impact my upbringing has had on me is this- I am extremely proud of where I come from!

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I was a high school teacher for 14 years and after my baby was born my husband and I decided I should stay home with her until she goes to school. I started to notice that I loved putting hair bows on my daughter’s hair but the clips and headbands were not fitting on my daughter’s curly hair so I started taking them apart and fixing all her bows. Then I started making all her bows and from there the Bows and Curls Collective took off. I had this idea while pregnant of an IG page called “Kind Moms Club” but didn’t know what to do with it. I sat on it for months, until I figured out what I wanted to do with it. I wanted to first thank and honor all the women who were so kind and loving to me during my pregnancy, second, I wanted a space where I could be honest about the ups and downs of motherhood, and lastly, a shop for women and children.
That’s when every thing tied together and I launched Bows and Curls Collective (BBC) and Mom Drip under the Kind Moms Club umbrella. BBC is where I custom make hair bows and Mom Drip is affordable, chic, high quality jewelry and accessories for under $50.

I want the world to know that I never thought of myself as a creative, but once I found my niche- everything just flowed naturally and beautifully. Every single bow that I make is made with so much love because all of them have a story and will adorn a beautiful child’s head as a crown. Give yourself a chance to explore your creative side- trust me it’s in you.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?

48 hours in Miami I would certainly pick them up from MIA and we would head out to Versailles for a cortado with leche evaporada and two croquetas- it’s a must. We’d eat at Le Sandwicherie in Wynwood and would like walk to the walls after to explore all the beautiful artwork in the area. After we would go have some iced coffee and THE most delicious croissants at OTL in the Design District. For Dinner we would go to Moshi Moshi for Sushi and dessert at Azcuar Ice Cream en la Calle Ocho. Lastly, a night cap at Ball and Chain.

The next we are headed bright and early to the Redlands and we are having the famous cinnamon rolls from Knaus Berry Farms. After we’d head back to miami and eat breakfast at Verde inside PAMM and after walk around and check out the museum. After PAMM, we are going to it’s time for lunch so we’re headed to El Atlakal for some Pupusas and Horchata.

Can you tell I’m a foodie?! Lol.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I’ve had great mentors, support, and love growing up- so to them a huge shoutout. I would like to give a special shoutout to Mrs. Gloria- the librarian from Allapattah Branch Library back in the 1990s. Mrs. Gloria was so kind and loving to my sister and I growing up. She would always have great book recommendations, asks us questions about what we were reading and what it meant to us, and genuinely cared for us. It was years later that I realized she wanted us to have excellent reading comprehension skills- a skill that is so important in every aspect.Lastly, a major shoutout out to all the small biz owners I’ve connected with over the last few weeks- they are the real MVPs of Miami

Website: www.kindmomsclub.com

Instagram: kindmomsclub

Image Credits
Feature Photo by: ANGELA MALLET PHOTOGRAPHY

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