We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Maiya “Simba” Jones. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Maiya “Simba” below.
Maiya “Simba”, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Let’s jump to the end – what do you want to be remembered for?
I hope my legacy will be inspiration. I want to be an inspiration to others and soon a lending hand. I want to be remembered for being the girl that just went for it, despite the obstacles and challenges that stood in the way. To inspire people to do it scared, do it alone, do it because you believe it can happen, the worst that can happen is failure and with failure comes opportunity. An opportunity to learn and grow.
Maiya “Simba”, 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 am a fashion designer from Miami, Florida. As a little girl I always loved playing dress up, however as I got older I lost that passion due to low self-esteem. Once I learned how to love myself again I found happiness in dressing up and expressing myself creatively. I started my business right before leaving to go to college, I was selling maybe 4 items at the time not really getting sales. I decided I wanted to design my own clothes because I know they would be a hit! I worked a job the summer of the covid-19 pandemic saving up to buy a sewing machine and cutting machine. God saw I was getting complacent, I got injured on the job and ending up leaving and never coming back. I brought the machine and taught myself how to make clothes. I have only been making clothes for 2 years and I have made more 100 custom items for people across the nation. I can create anything from your most urban thrift store up-cycles, kid clothing, to prom gowns and wedding dresses. I think what sets me apart from others is the creativity I have and the quality of my work. I don’t just like to put anything out, I have to perfect it to the best way I see fit.
This isn’t something that came easy for me even though it may seem like it because it’s only been 2 years. However, in those two years I worked very hard, and overcame many obstacles. The late nights, the missed meals, I risked it all for a dream only I believed I can achieve. I had something to prove because so many people doubted me. I am most proud of my resilience, because despite of all that I never gave up.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
I have so many so it’s hard to pick one. I think the part of the journey I’m going through right now is most significant. I am moving to a new state 1,000 miles away, where I know no one. No one knows what I do, or have seen my work. I will be finishing school and getting my degree from Howard University. I had to move out of my office suite by myself which I have worked out of for a year and that was my safe space to create. The move was because I was moving but I became very depressed upon moving home because so much have been done to my work while being there. So these few months have taken a toll on me but I believe moving will be very good for me, I feel like moving my business from my hometown will give me more leverage. Staying in my hometown is limiting myself because the people you grew up around become jealous and tend to not take your dreams serious. I’m excited to what this new journey will bring.
What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?
There was a lesson that I learned from pretty much everyone. From teachers to social media influencers and that was to always have a back up plan. Instead of making a plan B, if your business fails to fall back on, know that your craft is going to work for you. It’s manifesting failure, as if you believe your business wouldn’t be enough. If you operate like there is no plan B there is no back up plan, all you can do is succeed because it’s all you have.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://simbian.co
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simbian.co/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCeg3h_XOMBYZ9R4Bdyvk6kg