All It Takes...

Last night I spent time updating blogs, checking my various email accounts, prepping for my upcoming photo shoot next weekend, going over budgets, paying bills etc.. and I got to thinking of what all this (owning, operating, & managing your own brand) takes & you know what......It's A LOT its no wonder as a One Woman Show I can't always get it all done but i'm going to keep trying until as they say the wheels fall off.

As an independent emerging designer with no trust fund or rich family members by my side this is a list of all I'm juggling daily. I used to have an assistant & a publicist but having that outside help costs money I could no longer afford so now it's all me. Here's a list of what I try to maintain daily... 

• 2 Twitter Accounts (1 personal, 1 business) 
• A Facebook Fan page 
• A personal Facebook page 
• A tumblr blog 
• This blog 
• A monthly newsletter 
• Birthday Incentives for Previous Clients 
• An Instagram Account
• Keep my website Updated 
• A Linked In Account 
• A Pinterest Account 
• Finding shows worth doing
• Finding interview opportunities & speaking engagements 
• Maintaining client work 
• Setting up promotional shoots, videos etc 
• Building new collections 
• Working with various Stylists 
• Maintaining an online Store & trying to get buyers 

This is a conservative list i'm sure i'm missing something(s) BUT I'm doing all this while working 40+ hours a week as a shoe designer. Attempting & failing miserably at being outgoing & social both personally & professionally, finding time & money in there somewhere to sleep, eat, meditate (HA I wish!), spend time with family blah blah bah.... 

Now don't get me wrong I'm not complaining this is just A LOT to maintain alone. Am I wrong? But I have passion & determination so I'll get it all done. I honestly can't afford much of a personal life because these things aren't free. Anyone who has a small business knows you put out a lot before you see any return & I'm ok with that. 

Everytime I reach a personal goal within ImaniLia Fashions it's all worth it. Like this rebranding process that is coming together. I will find an investor by 2014 or sooner!! (You have to speak these things into existence)

So thank you all for your continued support and listening ears. Your patience and understanding. Your kind words and warm hearts. Day by day all i'm trying to do is grow and serve you better.

ImaniLia :D

African American Designers Show up and Show Out at NYFW! A bit of a rant..

I was cleaning my inbox and I cam across this fantastic article. I am so proud of these designers mentioned in the attached article but I have some feelings about how we as a people are progressing in the industry. Read my rant below and click on the link at the end to get the info on some great designers that are right under your nose and they happen to be African American.

Do you agree with me? Did you enjoy the article?

This is how I felt after reading about these great people... Are we our own downfall? I sure do think so!

This is great that more African American designers are making themselves known at Fashion Week. The crazy thing is I know more than a couple of people on this list and it makes me think why not me??? I'm trying to patiently build, grow, and wait for my time to show the world how great I am.. 

I think the real problem in the African American design community is that no one wants to help each other.. When other designers ask me for advice I openly give it with out hesitation to the best of my ability. The advice doesn't always go both ways tho... I know I have asked other designers that are 1 or 2 steps ahead of me and the response is always.. "Girl i'm just grinding", "keep hustling" ummm thats not helping me... 

You want to see more African American Designers out there well then we need to help each other.. Stop walking past people like you have never met them, Never did a low budget show with them, never went to school with them, never had a conversation with them etc!!!

*End Rant!

Congrats to the people on this list!! And all the other designers I know that are doing their thing African American or not.

Click the link to see where this all stemmed from... It will all make sense.. I promise
African American Designers Shine Bright At Fashion Week