We were lucky to catch up with Janai Milann recently and have shared our conversation below.

Janai , looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. We’ve love to hear an interesting investment story – what was one of the best or worst investments you’ve made? (Note, these responses are only intended as entertainment and shouldn’t be construed as investment advice)

You might not expect this, but the best investment in my business wasn’t a business course or new equipment, though I’ve done those too. It was supporting and investing time into my daughter’s natural talents and interests. As a single mom, I would often bring her along to creative projects, fashion shows, networking events, and pop-ups. I watched closely to see what excited her. As an artist herself, most of my projects caught her attention, so I put my time, energy, and resources into helping her grow. Many people miss how important this is. Supporting a child’s creativity, curiosity, or confidence early on does more than fund an activity; it shapes how they see themselves and what they believe they can do. This can even lead to an unexpected return by giving her the skills to take over my business or start her own.

As time went on, I noticed that investing in my children’s talents is one of the best ways to prepare for the future, and it also made our bond stronger. These efforts helped her build confidence, discipline, and vision, which are the same qualities that lead to innovation, leadership, and entrepreneurship later in life. In many ways, this is about growth across generations. Often, the most powerful investments aren’t the obvious ones. They’re the ones that quietly shape the next generational wave of thinkers, creators, and leaders.

Janai , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I’m a creative curator, entrepreneur, and mom with a background in fashion, creative direction, and marketing. Over the years, I’ve worked on or assisted with more than 40 fashion shows and gained experience in every role along the way. I’ve also written and presented proposals for companies and even developed and presented a proposal for the previous mayor of Houston aimed at expanding Houston’s fashion scene.

Eventually, I began producing my own ventures with 81SIXED Productions, creating fashion shows and content that celebrate Black culture through fashion, music, hair, and art. I love bringing creatives from different artistic spaces together to collaborate, network, and build beautiful productions that highlight culture and community. One of my biggest successions to date was having the audacity to produce the first Fashion and Hair Show at a Black Owned Beauty Supply Store.

Today, much of my work has expanded into the digital space. I design websites, create digital marketing and social media content strategies, and provide virtual operations support for clients, helping them turn ideas into functioning, streamlined businesses.

Becoming a mom while navigating through grief has also added a deeper layer to how I approach my work. It’s strengthened my resilience, creativity, and perspective. I’m proud of the projects I’ve created, the businesses I’ve built, and the people I’ve met along the way. At the core of everything I do is a simple goal: bringing creativity, real culture, and strategy together to turn ideas into meaningful, beautiful, and effective work.

What sets me apart is my ability to see both the cultural and strategic sides of creativity. I don’t just focus on making something look good, I focus on making it meaningful, relevant, and connected to people. Combining my corporate marketing background with my art, fashion shows, creative direction, and now digital services allows me to move fluidly between art and business. I think of my work as cultural curation because I love bringing together ideas, people, and visuals that tell a story and leave an impact.

What I’m most proud of is the journey itself: the productions I’ve helped bring to life, the business I’ve built, and the communities of creatives I’ve been able to gather along the way. I want people who encounter my work to know that my brand is rooted in authenticity, culture, and vision. Whether I’m producing an event, designing a website, or helping a client organize their digital operations, my goal is always the same: to turn ideas into something powerful, beautiful, and lasting.

Is there a particular goal or mission driving your creative journey?

I’m a grandma’s baby and was heavily influenced by her genuine heart and love for fashion. She would sew matching church outfits for my siblings and I, feed the community, and bless every Thanksgiving, all while being dressed to the nines. My creative journey is deeply influenced by her love and support. In fact, the name of my business, 81SIXED, is her birthday written out (August 16). One of our important missions is to find a charitable organization or giveback to the community in some way at every event we produce, similar to her life goals. That foundation drives me to create work, support my community, and spread that same sense of connection, encouragement, and possibility to others.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

One lesson I had to unlearn was the idea that you always have to keep pushing nonstop to be successful. Rest is also a step forward. Earlier in my career, especially working in fast-paced creative spaces like fashion shows and production, the mindset was always to go harder, do more, and never slow down. But life shifted when I continued in different seasons without putting my physical and mental health first, or even in this current season of “gaining my pink back”. It takes a toll on one’s body and causes burnout. Reconnecting with myself while balancing family, health, and work is important. I realized that rest isn’t a weakness; it’s part of sustainability and creativity. Sometimes the most powerful thing you can do is pause, take care of your health, give yourself grace, and pivot when needed. That lesson reshaped how I approach business and life. I now understand that it’s okay to stop, reset, and start again with more clarity and intention.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jaimilann/?hl=en
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@janaimilann6731
• Other: Fashion Productions Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/81sixedproductions/

Image Credits

Photo Credits: Wurigo, Nnennoskie, 81SIXED Productions, TheJakaylamonay, Canden J Mosley, Haus of Brown, Lamar Visuals, Guy Named Obi, Craftiigirl