We were lucky to catch up with Jessica Ozoude recently and have shared our conversation below.

Jessica, appreciate you joining us today. Being a business owner can be really hard sometimes. It’s rewarding, but most business owners we’ve spoken sometimes think about what it would have been like to have had a regular job instead. Have you ever wondered that yourself? Maybe you can talk to us about a time when you felt this way?

I am happy to be a business owner, because I enjoy the freedom of choice. I enjoy the ability to choose my weekly schedule, work time, break time and leisure days. I have experience being employed by an employer in the following field of retail, restaurant, bridal wear, public school education, food delivery and more. I do miss the security with working for an employer, for guaranteed pay and insurance benefits. Other than that, I prefer being self employed because I believe it is the way to go for the future. In a world that is advancing with technology, it is inevitably replacing jobs that were went meant for human occupation. There’s power in ownership and I believe every person should cultivate a business that provides solution for others. Business has been difficult for me personally as it pertains to visibility since I no longer have a store front as a clothing tailor. Operating mobily takes time to build brand recognition and reputation by word of mouth or social media. I am currently strategizing new avenues to connect with people needing the services that I provide.

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?

My name is Jessica Ozoude, a 29 year old clothing tailor and business owner of Coutured By Jess, based in Dallas TX. I developed my clothing alteration, custom design and sewing lesson service out of my home. I have 10+ years of experience as a clothing tailor for bridal wear, special occasion wear, business and causal wear for both men and women. I currently operate my business services mobily, hosting alteration fittings, custom fittings or sewing lessons in my client’s home for convenience. I graduated with a BS degree in Apparel Design & Manufacturing in 2018. Since I was 7 years old, I knew I wanted a career in the field of design. I love texture, color, fabrics and creating something from concept into reality. I provide custom fits for my clients seeking clothing alteration or custom design. I also provide group and private sewing lessons for people interested in learning the skills of garment-making. I’m proud of being able take on a variety of unique sewing projects and alterations that sometimes can become challenging. I love overcoming challenging tasks because it adds new strategy and skills to my tool belt for further equipment in future endeavors.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

It has been a ride ever since I closed my alteration shop in Pantego, TX back in 2021. I have been operating mobily ever since and had a not so steady business flow. I have had to go back into the work force and obtain several jobs to keep afloat. I still believe that my business will get to a place of steadiness and upward progression. I am open to new strategies and implementation in order to accomplish my business goals. My resilience rest on how God created me, with the natural ambition and drive to see visions through to fruition, no matter the circumstance.

Can you open up about how you funded your business?

I funded my business single handedly through working over time at my place of employment. I worked at least 2 jobs especially during the shut down due to the pandemic. I saved up enough for inventory, machinery, shop renovation and other supplies. If I were to do it over again, I wouldn’t have gotten a store front, I would have waited until my clientele was steady.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.couturedbyjess.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/couturedbyjess
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/couturedbyjess
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/couturedbyjess

Image Credits

I took them myself.