We were lucky to catch up with Myra Wallace-Walker recently and have shared our conversation below.

Myra, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Getting that first client is always an exciting milestone. Can you talk to us about how you got your first customer who wasn’t a friend, family, or acquaintance?

I work in a unique sector of the fashion and apparel industry. My journey into the manufacturing side of this industry was also very unique. I am an average size woman and designer and curator of Big & Tall men apparel line. Because i did not go to school for fashion design, but was blessed with the gift of sewing at the young age of 7, designing came naturally. As I maneuvered my way through this competitive industry I met a man who told me I had a gift and I should be dressing athletes, the LA Lakers to be exact (I was born and raised in Long Beach, California). This man happen to be a friend of mines father who was a very successful business man with many connections. He introduced me to a marketing duo who had done some work with the Lakers and asked if they could make the introduction to a few of the players. They made it happen, and I was able to work with 6 of the LA Lakers to design 2 garments each and have them do a photo shoot to help me launch my men’s clothing brand. They agreed and I later grew that brand into an international Big & Tall clothing brand selling to nearly every specialty size Big & Tall store in the nation.

Myra, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I started sewing at the young age of 7. Because i was extremely small child, my parents were challenged with finding clothing to fit me. or i should say clothing that were attractive for a pre-teen girl. I was intrigued with the idea of sewing and creating things from an idea and the process to go from concept to creation, So once I began sewing I realized I could create my own clothing and began to first alter clothing and create things for my dolls, that grew into sewing for my siblings, then my friends and then as an entrepreneur. This journey, although natural, came with many challenges and disappointing moment, but by the grace of God, I stayed the course and persevered. My mom always told me I was one of the most driven person she ever met and that I needed to slow down and take a breath, but I couldn’t seem to stop. Through it all, I’ve had the pleasure to work with many amazing people, who have been instrumental to my growth and success in this industry. I’ve worked in many aspects of the fashion & beauty industry and with each new adventure came new heights to the success God has purposed for me.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

After many years as a designer, I started my manufacturing company and brought on a business partner. After some time working together we decided to part ways. At that time, I went through a frustrating time and had to step back from the industry. I was soon recruited to work in an industry that helped shape my business background and later placed me back in the middle of the fashion industry but in a different aspect. I was hired as the Executive Director of the LA Black Business Expo and Producer of one of the largest fashion runway productions on the West Coast. This experience taught me a lot about using what looked like a set back was actually a set up for me to learn fashion & business from a different angle. After leaving the position, I was then hired as Executive Producer of another trade/expo in Los Angeles, The West Coast Expo. During this time I was solicited by a friend and editor to write a book on fashion & beauty and I did so but from an unexpected perspective. I authored the book Beauty Come Forth- Unleash The Beauty Within as an inspirational mantra to women whom I believed were constantly trying to measure up to society’s definition of Beauty, but overlooking the real beauty they had within. After publishing the book, I thought I was done with the fashion industry, yet I pivoted once again and I find myself drawn back to my first love and given opportunity to make a difference in other creatives lives through my production company and a non-profit that serves these same individuals. I am also relaunching my Big & Tall brand this year.

Can you tell us the story behind how you met your business partner?

My business partner for my Big & Tall brand was a client of mine first. He was one of the LA Lakers that I was introduced to by the marketing duo who helped launch my mens design brand. I worked with him as one of my devout customers and he helped me understand the needs of the niche market I was serving. We became great friends, he believed in the product and decided to invest in a partnership.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.myrawallace.com
• Instagram: @myrawallacecollection
• Facebook: Myra Wallace Walker
• Linkedin: Myra Wallace-Walker
• Youtube: Valor and Virtue Productions
• Other: Other websites: www.MKOcollection.com www.afashionpreneur.com www.VandVproductions.com

Image Credits
marcus redd davide stennett karim