We had the good fortune of connecting with Stephanie and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Stephanie, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
My thought process behind starting my own business was the idea of monetizing off something I love to do which is sew and design. I’ve had to go back to the drawing board several times and ask myself “Why am I doing this?” because although I love to sew and design, that doesn’t necessarily mean I should turn it into a business. But then I always remind myself that my skills and my designs are worth something and there is a need for it. And it’s worth sharing with world and making a profit behind it at the same time.
Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I think one of the things that sets me apart from the others is the fact that I’m self-taught! As a lot of designers are! But being self taught has allowed me to be pretty flexible with my learning of the craft. I actually did go to design school my first year of college because I’ve actually always wanted to be involved in Fashion in some sort of way. But I got pregnant with my son my first year, and design school was a lot more expensive so I switched my major to Business and got a Degree in Business Administration instead. So for a while, like a long while I didn’t see professionally, I focused on the home life/mom life, but I still kept my sewing machine and still did small home projects on the side. Then around 2018/2019 especially during Covid, I decided to use the time to get back into the craft. Learning the craft was easy because it’s what I enjoy. Turning the craft into a formal business was the struggle only because it took self discipline. I’m actually still in the process of getting my business where I want it to be formally. I think the struggle in that was taking something that I love and sharing it with the world, kind of puts a restraint on your creativity in some weird way. So that’s like a continuous hurdle keeping my creativity relevant or trending enough for it to be a profitable business. But I want the world to know that I find inspiration for fashion in a lot of things and I have a lot of exciting collections coming up for 2024.
Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Well I’m from “The D” so there’s so much for us to do and see. I’m a homebody for the most part so when I do go out, the event is usually “pre-planned”. The thing is, I’ve been to more than enough restaurants to keep us occupied forever and we have really good food. And I know whenever me and Vanessa link up we see what the Jo-Ann’s look like for that particular state so that’s for sure on the agenda.
Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
None of other than my sister Vanessa the Designer. I would like to dedicate this shoutout to her! Not only she an amazing mom and friend but an AMAZING designer. I wouldn’t even have this interview if it weren’t for her and I’m so excited to see what her future has in store. -Xoxoxoxoxo
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