Fashion Friday - How to Look Good While You Get Fit
It's Fashion Friday!!!
Today is the last day in our current Fashion Friday series. Every few months we have Fashion Fridays to bring you the best in Indie designers. In May we focused on e-commerce designers. Since I know a lot of you have entrepreneurial spirits I partnered with fellow blogger Jacque Amadi to provide you with tools to build your own online boutique at a discount. Now, for our final May Fashion Friday, please allow me to introduce you to fitness activewear designer, Yolanda Williams.
Yolanda is the founder and designer of Just Curves, a plus size fitness apparel company, covering sizes 10 - 28. She came up with the amazing ONEdersuit! She recently raised over $20,000 on kickstarter to bring her designs to the masses. With her pieces, designed specifically for curvier women you can look good while getting fit!
No more tugging on your waistband to pull those leggings above your tummy, no more readjusting your shirt to cover that muffin top while doing your sit ups! From peplum workout shirts to leopard leggings to the amazing ONEdersuit, Yolanda has you covered. Hear about her journey from laid off employee to CEO and get inspired by her journey to create the newest innovation in activewear!
Q. How did you raise the money to start your business? Did you save, take loans, or ask family and friends?
A. I was actually laid off from my job of 5 years in October 2014 and that was the catalyst for me to have the time to start my business. I used my severance package and savings to jumpstart Just Curves. I was able to raise a large chunk of money with Kickstarter as well.
Q. Why did you chose the platform you're on to sell your products?
A. I am choosing to sell Just Curves exclusively online on my website. My last job was with an online weight-loss product, so I learned a lot about DTC and digital marketing. I'm also friends with many of my old co-workers who are expert marketers so I have a vast network to tap into for me to be a successful online store. Also, as a social media professional, I understand the power of influencer marketing for retail, which will also be a huge part of my overall marketing plan. I'm confident I can sell my own product, cutting out the middle man, and take home more of the profits.
Q. What advice would you give to a budding entrepreneur?
A. The first thing is to just take a leap of faith and do it. It's scary, it's hard, and sometimes, lonely in the beginning, but it will all be worth it, but you have to take that first step. Put action behind your intention to make your dreams a reality. You can start small by first picking your company name and the domain, then make a list with deadlines and get to work.
Second, stick with it! Seriously, this is the hardest, most emotionally trying experience of my life. There were times I couldn't pay rent or pay for groceries. The 99 cent store became my bestie. I was...still am...tired all the time and I miss spending money on frivolous things like travel and cute swimsuits. But, with all that said, I have never been happier or felt more fulfilled than I do right now. There are no words to express the feeling you get when you see your vision come to life. It's amazing and the best part is, it's mine. So, even though it's hard, it's worth it and I'm so proud of myself. So stick with it or die wondering "what if"...
Don't wonder what if! For more on how to create your own online empire check out Jacque's video.
