We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Lashay Mitchell a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Lashay, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today How did you come up with the idea for your business?
The world has changed dramatically since my childhood, with advancements in technology, robotics in healthcare, and the influence of social media. Embracing change is a positive thing; it signifies growth. As a budding entrepreneur from Kansas City, Missouri, I believe that More Lashay’s is on its way to becoming a household name.
The change I mentioned earlier is part of my journey, and it feels wonderful. In 2017, doctors warned that I might not live to see days like these. Despite enduring countless needles, tubes, ICU stays, and 18 major surgeries, I remained focused on my purpose and what God had in store for me.
During my 43 days in the hospital, there was a moment when I discovered my “when,” which gradually evolved into my “why.” At the top of my priorities was the desire to feel beautiful—not only on the outside but with an inner beauty that radiates and inspires others to feel the same. I wanted to empower those around me as a tribute to the times when I felt powerless.
It took time and ongoing healing to establish a solid foundation in the fashion industry. I focused on design classes, shadowed various fashion companies, and attended rehearsals to stay aligned with my vision.
My recovery journey continues, and it’s not limited to fashion; it’s universal. One of my guiding principles is, “No matter how bad I feel, I will get up and move.” And that’s precisely what I did.
I am incredibly proud to have participated in various feats and fashion shows, including:
– Entrepreneur Mindset for Designers
– Curves & Confidence Fashion Show
– Kansas City Fashion Week (Spring & Fall)
– ModelingwithmeBM (Brooke Madge)
– Heartland International Fashion Week
– Texas Fashion Week
– The iconic New York Fashion Week
Building my business from the ground up during one of the most challenging periods of my life has shown me that my passion goes beyond fashion. I cherish the ability to express my creativity, achieve my goals, and be a Crohn’s Warrior. After all the trials, I am deeply grateful. I pushed through, persevered, and prayed—A LOT!
More Lashay’s represents more than just me; I am surrounded by amazing people who play vital roles in this journey, and I am truly thankful for them. I’m also grateful to you for reading this; I hope it resonates and ignites your own passions in life!
Stay tuned for more waves of good health and exciting fashion from More Lashay’s.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
I am the CEO and Founder of More Lashay’s, where I focus on fashion, styling, and building confidence. Recently, my brand has had the incredible opportunity to be featured in New York Fashion Week, Kansas City Fashion Week, and Texas Fashion Week.
What distinguishes me and my brand is that I operate in a lane of my own. I thrive on my vision and proudly identify as a Crohn’s Warrior, dedicated to demonstrating that anyone can—and should—live a fulfilling life, regardless of their diagnosis.
You can learn more about my journey on my website. Feel free to shop, share, and support your favorite items!
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
I decided to help other women like me embrace their beauty and lead by example, showing them that they can enjoy fun and fabulous lashes to conceal blemishes, wear hats to cover hair loss, use scarves to enhance their features, don sunglasses to hide tired eyes, and sport jeans that highlight their curves and confidence.
With a chronic illness, my business serves both myself and others. I began wearing hats to cover my hair loss and shield my eyes from the sun, which is where my sunglasses come in handy. Frequent treatments, like regular blood draws, can leave you feeling exhausted and drained. Hair loss can take a toll on your self-esteem, but I discovered that hats, sunglasses, and lashes could help improve my appearance and allow me to mask my flaws.
It took me a while to realize that I needed to heal after undergoing 16 surgeries. My mind was in turmoil, and I struggled with my sense of self. I know it may sound unbelievable, but it was a long journey to accept my illness. I longed to feel “normal” again. How could I be this sick at 28? I felt I was meant to be vibrant and youthful.
Have you ever had to pivot?
Fashion has been a passion of mine since my teenage years; I’ve always considered myself a fashionista. Living with Crohn’s disease, an autoimmune condition, I’m proud to say I’m a survivor of 18 surgeries. I want others like me to understand that it’s possible to have a chronic illness and still achieve success.
My journey began in 2007 at Lee’s Summit High School, where I started to cultivate various skills. I was captivated by how my teacher transformed mannequins into stunning displays. My love for art and clothing design classes marked the first step in my fashion journey.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://beacons.ai/morelashays
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/morelashays/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/MoreLashays/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@morelashays/videos
Image Credits
YBU Productions