Early Age
As early as nine years old, I fell in love with fashion and all that excompasses it. Starting with a Singer sewing machine, I had help from my late grandmother in learning how to sew as she used to sew her on clothing when I was growing up. I realized then on the power you hold in being able to create something from scratch that no one can mimic or recreate except you. My hard work as well as the skills I acquired over the years in Business, Accounting, and modeling , have lead me on this long haul of a journey in starting my own lingerie line.
Growing up I was in to all kinds of activities, Swimming, dance, student counsel, choir, and Girl Scouts. I learned the value in consistency and how important it is to stick to any given task. I was constantly open to trying new things and broadening my horizon. But it never seemed to amaze me how much I found myself as early as nine years old trying to start a clothing line with the help of my late grandmother, sewing my very first pink and orange cotton dress for a friend and playmate of mines at the time. I can even remember having two note books, one for creating business posters I could but up around the swimming pool informing other swimmers of my clothing line and another my playmate helped me create to sell earrings. I was so enthusiastic about it and I was sure I was going to sale and succeed. I even had help from a few additional swimmers that like my ideas and wanted to help. But what did a nine year old know about selling clothing?
And of course my dream was short lived, at first, due to the fact I was still so young and child labor laws of course. But that belief and feeling to start a clothing brand over the years never wavered. I knew in my heart back then the same way I do now, it's what I meant to spend my life doing. And I'm grateful for the opportunities that constantly present itself.
Early Adulthood
So I continued studying and took a few sewing classes over the years to hone in on my talents and craft in designing clothing, learning to network, and to better understand what I was trying to create.
Back in 2019-2020, was my first attempt at building my brand online. I created my website, layout for my accounts, and designs that I hand-sewn by myself, not to mention marketing. It was tough, as I am only one person, trying to take on various tasks and being consistent knowing I didn't really have the funds to give myself a head start was taxing. I soon realized, I couldn't do it all and definitely couldn't do it alone. I needed a team but didn't know how to create one.
Not to mention, aside from understanding how import marketing is, I didn't know how to go about doing it that would bring a following or genuine connections with an audience. So, I hired an online marketer, and as you can guess, it didn't go according to plan. The marketer became altering my business page on Facebook and Instagram, giving me weird followers I didn't ask for, and potentially getting my shadow banned from Instagram which I didn't understand why at time. And it turned out this marketing was a fake and that truly I had been scammed. I was so embarrassed and disheartened that all my hard work had gone to waste. But I carried on and removed this person from my business, releasing myself from their services only to find myself once again alone and unsure about what my next move was going to be.
Then tragedy struck back in 2021, where I lost both my grandmother and father, and then like a wildfire every was set a flame. I had to change my focus away from my business and instead focus on taking care of obligations my dad left behind and handle those responsibilities. Before I knew it, even after everything was said and done, and I slowly but surely managed to move my attention back to designing, the healing process wasn't through, as for a year and a half I was going in and out of hospital due to illness and mental illness. Before I knew it what was slowing becoming a reality started to turn into a nightmare.
Present Day
Fast Forward, to the year 2024, sometime has based and healing increased. I pulled myself up by the bootstraps and began rebuilding and rebranding my line again, truly focusing on one outlet instead of multiple. I've now learned from my past mistakes, teaching me when beginning a new project or trying to start a brand have a plan. Have a layout that is achievable, explainable, adds to people daily lives, and is something that I can manage.
I've begun rebuilding my website, taking my time and working on it's functionality. I've been drawing sketches, and consulting with professionals, as well as building a team. For these are the things that truly set a strong foundation. And increase the chances of me succeeding with my brand and in life.
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