Writing Sample #2

Soror Malou Cristobal: Stepping Out In Faith And Into Entrepreneurship

Published March 5, 2021

Soror Malou Cristobal is no stranger when it comes to being a success in business and in service alike. With over 15 years of experience in the Human Resources industry, and a background of serving in leadership within Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated, this Life Member of ZETA has truly proven herself as one to make things happen and produce results. She stands as quite the professional – and Finer Woman – in her own shoes. But if you let her tell it, she didn’t plan for her recent endeavor at all. In fact, in her own words she, “accidentally fell into the world of vending”.

With a desire to create designer duffle bags as an anniversary gift to her intake sisters, she carried out her plan and made custom bags that brought smiles to the faces of her ZETA sorors. What she didn’t realize was that soon after her custom-designed duffle bags were shared online and gained traction on social media, that a demand for new products would come about that simply could not be ignored, and had to be met with supply.

Having met the continual demands of a plethora of custom requests that were ever-growing, Soror Cristobal decided to stretch her faith, and step out into the gift of starting her own business in 2021: “Sol II Soul” – now a licensed and approved vendor of Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated.

With her partner, Bro. Robert Hughes of Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Incorporated, at her side, showcasing his design skills, Soror Cristobal’s business has begun to see success and gain notoriety pretty quickly in the vendor business. 

“I truly consider this a labor of love,” says Soror Cristobal, “I’m truly so grateful for all of the support and am excited for what’s to come.”

Showcasing a line of apparel, accessories, and home décor/accents, “Sol II Soul” is looking to continue to focus its efforts on the Blue and White family, and to ultimately expand to merchandising for the general public. Based out of the South Suburbs of Illinois, “Sol II Soul” serves nationwide, offers something for every budget, and certainly caters well to sorors desiring FINER items to suit their FINER tastes. 

“The quality of the items and their packaging exhibit the pride we have in our product and our brand,” says Cristobal. “With this, we look forward to creating not just items for our customers to purchase, but an experience they can treasure. I like knowing that what we’ve packaged, ultimately creates something special for our clients to look forward to when opening their purchases. I like knowing they will have a sense of excitement, of anticipation, and they will get the quality they’ve paid for.”

“Sol II Soul” has already experienced great success with Zeta Phi Beta Sorority’s 25th International Grand President Valerie Hollingsworth Baker purchasing items of her own (“Finer Beret” – pictured on Soror Cristobal, “Finer Gloves”, and the “Zpeedy Bag” – sol2soul.shop), and with new payment options and new items coming soon, we have no doubt that we will continue to hear great things from Soror Cristobal and “Sol II Soul”.