Women in Business: Consandra Leonard, Silhouette Boutique

Consandra D. Leonard is a seasoned Risk Management Property Adjuster with 32 years of dedicated service, licensed in nine states across the country. Her academic accomplishments include a Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology from West Virginia State University. Consandra is also a proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., Charleston Institute Alumnae Chapter, serving on the Executive Leadership Committee as the Treasurer.

 

With an entrepreneurial spirit, Consandra began investing in real estate, which led to the significant expense of preparing her yearly tax returns. To manage this, she became a federal tax associate, eventually rising to the role of Senior Tax Specialist with over 20 years of experience.

 

In 2014, Consandra ventured into retail business ownership by launching an online women's boutique store called Silhouette Boutique. Her mission is to inspire women to love their curves while feeling and looking their absolute finest. In 2017, she expanded the store into a mobile women's clothing store, purchasing and renovating a 16ft Step Van (Bread truck) to create a traveling boutique. By 2019, she moved her boutique into brick-and-mortar locations at the Charleston Town Center Mall and the Huntington Mall. However, due to the changing landscape of malls, she recently returned to operating her store online only.

 

Noticing a lack of networking opportunities among Black women business owners, Consandra founded the Black Women’s Business Owners of West Virginia (BWBO of WV) in January 2018. The organization provides inclusive opportunities for Black businesswomen to receive instructional training, education, and networking skills from industry leaders and organizations across West Virginia. Membership is open to women of all ages, ethnicities, interests, and professions. BWBO of WV aims to restore access and fill the needs of Black women with entrepreneurial aspirations and dreams while pushing West Virginia forward.

 

As part of BWBO's efforts, they host an Annual Black Women Business Owners Expo, which provides members with the opportunity to promote and strengthen their businesses and services to the public, both locally and nationally. This event allows members to generate new business, rekindle relationships with customers, and build a more substantial business for the future.

 

In her spare time, Consandra loves spending time with her family and traveling. She has vacationed in 30 U.S. states, visited ten countries, and set foot on three continents. When asked about her most successful achievement, she proudly says it is raising her two beautiful children.