SYRACUSE, N.Y. (NCC News) — When Zeruiah Alex created her first entrepreneurial startup, Aneres Candle Co., back in January, she never thought it would lead to making and selling coronavirus masks.
But as the dangers of coronavirus became more severe and the need for masks became more apparent, Alex took advantage of the opportunity to help her community in whatever way she could.
“I am a full-time entrepreneur and saw the need to help make masks, and to make them affordable for the community,” Alex said .
And thus, Masked Beauties was born.
“The business kind of started on its own,” said Alex. “I was hearing so much about the coronavirus and knew that it was going to come to us eventually, so I posted a picture of a homemade mask on Facebook and told everyone that I would be selling them…at first no one paid any attention, but then I started getting order requests and eventually decided to create my own Facebook page.”
Masked Beauties, located in Syracuse and sponsored Aneres Candle Co. has only been around for two weeks but has made and sold 300 masks to people in the community and while the cost ranges from $5-12 per mask, Alex has also donated several masks to those who cannot afford them.
“I work with anyone,” she said. “It’s not about the money…I’ve donated about 100 masks to people in the community that cannot afford them, as well as essential and healthcare workers.”
Sewing is not a new hobby for Alex, as she learned to sew when she was a teenager and graduated from Buffalo State College for Fashion, Textiles and Technology with a concentration in fashion merchandising.
“As of right now, I’m the only one who sews the masks,” said Alex. “But, my mom, sister and some of my friends have helped with cutting and ironing the fabric and my siblings help me with deliveries.”
Each mask is made from 100% cotton fabric and has a filter on the inside for further protection against germs. According to Alex, while making masks is somewhat time consuming, she has a step-by-step process that makes the job a bit easier:
- Place the pattern onto the fabric and attach the filter fabric underneath.
- Fold the seams and sew them down.
- Cut extra fabric for a clean look.
- Sew the sides for the loops.
- Sew nose piece down and iron.
- Attach the elastic and insert it.
She makes her Masked Beauty masks with four layers of fabric and filter for extra protection. © 2020 Zeruiah Alex
Masked Beauties has one focus: helping the community. Alex says that she hopes to continue making masks for those who need them the most.
“I am focusing directly on the community,” said Alex. “Day to day essential workers are the people I am trying to help, the ones who don’t receive much, yet still have to work. I want to continue donating to them as much as I can.”
Alex is also using her original startup, Aneres Candle Co., to provide light even in the darkest of times. She is working to donate candles to hospital staff at Upstate University Hospital as a thank you for their hard work and service during these unprecedented times.
“I am glad that I get to help people in taking necessary health precautions,” said Alex. “Together we will get through this.”
