Thriving in PW
8 Businesses You Are Going to Love By Dawn Klavon
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rince William is a melting pot of cultures, residents and ideas. Each brings a unique charm, adding a richness and texture to our community. Minority-owned businesses in Prince William offer a diverse and compelling variety of goods and services. Here, we highlight some inspiring owners and share their backgrounds, goals and advice.
Mishael and Bigsby first met as art education students at University of North Texas and remained friends over the years. Mishael eventually became an elementary school art teacher in Fairfax County and Bigsby works as an art therapist in Prince William. The pair started Apple Juice Tea Party in 2018, hoping customers would embrace their self-care mantra.
Photo courtesy Yasin F Muhammad Photography
“It’s okay to treat yourself and make your space special,” Mishael said. “Do what makes you happy — don’t feel bad about it. It’s those little joys that make everything better.” The business owners describe themselves as part of “marginalized groups” — Mishael is Jewish and Bigsby is Black. “We strive to be accessible and inclusive with the products we make and how we interact with people at craft fairs,” Mishael said. “We’re looking to make their space and their environment more intentional.” Apple Juice Tea Party Woodbridge etsy.com/shop/AppleJuiceTeaParty
Dorie Mishael and Angelica Bisgby
They’re the Bomb Usually when you’re stressed, you don’t decide to open a new business in addition to your day job. But that’s just what motivated Dorie Mishael and Angelica Bigsby to start Etsycarried Apple Juice Tea Party. The duo sells handmade vegan bath/body, ceramics, candles and K-Pop art online and at local craft fairs. Their creations spawned a business and offer customers ways to unwind as well. “We started making things to help ourselves destress,” Mishael said. “We thought it was kind of fun that the things that help us destress are self-care items like bath bombs and candles and whatnot.”
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February 2022 prince william living
Big Hands — Big Heart Chrissy Campbell’s mom told her God gave her big hands and she needed to use them. So pampering others was her career of choice. “I love to help people,” said Chrissy Campbell, certified massage therapist and owner of Chi-La Massage in Woodbridge. “That’s where my heart is.” Campbell started a mobile massage business in the summer of 2017, but secured a brick and mortar location in Woodbridge during the pandemic. Her goal was to create an intimate, boutique spa feel for her clients.
