We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Marlisha Bentley a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Marlisha, appreciate you joining us today. So let’s jump to your mission – what’s the backstory behind how you developed the mission that drives your brand?

My mission with Royal Privilege is to show young women that no matter what adversities that may come into your way dont ever lose your crown! Privilege is a special right advantage or immunity granted to a particular person or group of people. We are Worthy of Success, we are Worthy of Happiness , we are Worthy of Greatness! It starts with believing in yourself and will be unstoppable! Royal Privilege is about building confidence in each and every person that I come across with beauty, fashion and motivation! The goal is not to just make money but loving what I do , with people I enjoy that support my vision and making an impact on the world! I often quote “Speak what you seek until you see it” and always walk in a room like God sent you there! In a World where time is a Luxury Royal Privilege offers personal styling services to assure each client feels like Royalty!

Marlisha, 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?

In all honesty I knew at an early age that I would be doing what Im doing. Growing up with my mom being a seamstress I learned to sew and really got into to fashion and creating how I wanted things to look. I started making clothes for my dolls with one of those little sewing machines you get from Toys R Us, and would always walk around with my sketch book of new fashion designs. Got into the modeling industry as a teen for local shows in my community. I went no to attend the Art Institute for Fashion Design & Merchandising and also received my Cosmetology License in the State of Michigan. My first fashion show that I attended was “The Ebony Fashion Fair” and I was amazed to see so many beautiful women walking the runway. I was really inspired by the culture and fashion designs , the hair and the make up was flawless. The first fashion show I worked for was ‘ The Metropolitan Detroit March of Dimes Fashion Show” then went on to work with several shows around the country, as well as doing hair and and wardrobe for theater and film. After several years of working for other retailers in men and women fashion, I began to lose my passion and decide to pursue my career in the fashion industry full time. Yes stepping out on your own is never easy. I am still going through ups and downs but becoming a business owner had to be one of the best decisions I have ever made. Ive learned so much about the business and myself and I am still learning. Royal Privilege is a mobile styling company designed to offer unique personal and business services to assure each client feels like Royalty and recently opened a Salon Studio in Novi MI. From day-to-day personal styling, wardrobe styling, fashion design , merchandising to bridal and events for your Beauty & Fashion services. In a World Where Time is a Luxury let Royal Privilege will service you for with fashion and beauty expertise.

Can you talk to us about how your side-hustle turned into something more.

Doing Hair was really my side hustle. Fashion has always been my first love. So I asked myself “Why not do both. Growing up people are always saying focus on one thing, and be really good at that one thing! But as a full artist that is impossible. Growing up I was in music, sports, and art. It feeds my soul to be able to creatively express myself. I really enjoy the creativity in creating a look from head to toe. But I honest never planned on being known as a hair stylist but I love what I do. With struggle with jobs in this economy is always good to have other skill settings and multiple streams of income.

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

First things first its important to be yourself! I am automatically myself on social media. I am an entrepreneur, Im a creative, Im inspirational, Im stylish but Im also a mom! So you’ll see a little of my everyday life too. The important things about your brand is allowing people to get to know you. Ive really gotten into reels show behind the scenes of events, photo shoot content, or just keeping people up to date on new fashions. Things aren’t always what they seem in a lot of peoples real lives. But stay up lifted! I enjoy that it allows you to be connected with other like minded people that sometimes you wouldn’t normal just see walking down the street. I have had really good networking experiences that has helped me in life and my career. But its important to stay humble and dont let what you see discourage you pursuing your dreams.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @royalprivilegellc
• Facebook: Marlisha Bentley
• Linkedin: Marlisha Bentley

Image Credits
Hair & Wardrobe- Marlisha Bentley, Owner of Royal Privilege LLC Make up Artist- Jena Carmichael, Owner of Ragdoll Vanity Photographer- Ricardo Thornton, Owner of RT Studios Models- Sabrina Athena, Mersades Alexander, Ajah, Rockie ,Lattrice Delgado-Macon, Taylor Lang,Jahnique Davis, Kayla Tripp