Today we’d like to introduce you to Honey Simmons.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I have always loved animals since I opened my eyes and at 6 when I met my first Burmese python it was love at first sight. I didn’t get my first reptile until I was 25 as you did it present for getting myself out of a 6-year abusive relationship. My collection of reptiles and insects kept growing and I would take them to the after-school program where my mom, Alyce Simmons, worked and taught the kids about them. Her boss and friend, Dawana Boone, kept saying I should go into business for myself and I kept saying no one wanted to hear a Black girl talk about reptiles. My mom and her basically told me, yes, they and yes you are going to do this by putting on a show for me, telling me I would have to come up with a name. I couldn’t think of anything but Reptile Girl but always liked spelling Girl with a u and ended up joining the words together to form ReptiGurl. After that first show many more came about and I loved doing them but wanted to further it. I went to Corner to Corner The Academy where they taught me how to make my business profitable. I saved some money up and with the help of my mother I was able to purchase a bus which I refurbished by myself and opened its doors on July 3rd. ReptiGurl Shows is now World of ReptiGurl the first-ever mobile reptile and insect petting zoo on wheels and I couldn’t be happier!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Absolutely not! Lol Herpentology is a white male-dominated sector so being a Black woman who loves both reptiles AND insects gives me a lot of odd looks, more than a few people thinking I’m joking and won’t take me seriously, and quite a bit of people who loves to tell me I either won’t succeed or will be alone for the rest of my life because of my passion for them. Having a business as unique as mine means having a hard time to trying to choose the right category for gist even getting started. I have been told a lot of nos but I still keep pushing ‘til I get that one yes so I can make it a dozen more yeses down the road.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
World of ReptiGurl is the first-ever mobile reptile and insect petting zoo on wheels! Built on a 2002 turquoise painted Thomas school bus, I pull up to any event and make it unique whether it’s a school event, birthday, or neighborhood day. I have built custom enclosures for each animal, a photo booth with printing station, and everything is set to music and dancing lights. During my shows, I engage with my audience making them laugh, learn, and appreciate animals they might have originally thought were gross or scared of. I have socialized my animals to the point that you can see me walking around town with one of them either around my shoulders, in my hair, or even in a bubble backpack! I offer all types of opportunities to make your next event shine with something truly new to the world.
How do you think about luck?
I will say my bad luck in relationships have definitely helped me come into my own finding out who I am and what I love about myself by being by myself. I have the best luck in family and friends that support me and my business who will go out of their way to make sure my brand is known. My mom uplifts me so much and I don’t think I will ever truly be able to show her much of a blessing she is to me. Without her, I never would have found out about The Academy and wouldn’t have had the success I have had so far.
Pricing:
- Birthday parties start at $350 for a minimum of 2 hours for 15 people including a show.
- Pop-up event prices are based on the event.
- School events are determined by the number of students. The more students the better the price.
Contact Info:
- Email: worldofreptigurl@gmail.com
- Website: www.worldofreptigurl.com
- Instagram: @World_of_reptigurl
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/Worldofreptigurl
Image Credits
Dawana Boone
Alyce Simmons
Girls Inc.
