Today we’d like to introduce you to Tiana Johnson

Hi Tiana, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.

SxaJ was birthed in Atlanta, GA back in March of 2021. Me and my boo, at the time, were on a quick get away and he was buying me a handbag. And the one I picked out was so unique and different, he just told me like I could always see you having your own handbag line. And I was so smitten I said, you know what, ima do that shit. And so it was done. SxaJ came to life just like that!

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?

Hell no! SxaJ has been my biggest headache. Juggling building the brand, life, moving, and just readjusting to life in general, especially after the pandemic, it was hard to really zero in and focus on what exactly it was that I wanted of SxaJ. The personality that I wanted to be. Many many many long nights. Up crying. Not knowing how I was going to get to the next step. Struggling with wanting it to all go my way right then and there and if it didn’t, then giving up. Like so many times I honestly just wanted to say fuck it. Because when you’re an entrepreneur but not full time yet, meaning you still have a 9-5, you have the urge to just want to dump all of your 9-5 earnings into your business that you’re building. And if you don’t have any other overhead, go for that shit, but auntie got big girl bills. There were a lot of sacrifices that were made and a lot of nah I can’t hang out tonight or I can’t take this trip yall. Because it’s just other shit that be more important that the things that are right in front of you.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?

For the past six years, I was so tied up into who I was at work. My 9-5. And yes in my professional field, everyone that is supposed to know me, knows me. And they know I don’t fuck around. They know I’m that girl. I’m HER. Like I know my job and I do it well. But lately, I’ve had to pull myself out of that. Because who I am in my professional setting is not ALL that I am. Like I have a bad habit of pushing myself so deep into work that I let it consume me and overshadow who Ana J is. Not just Tiana Johnson- Director. Then for a long time, I didn’t think I was creative at all. Because I can’t draw, or do music fr, I felt like, that means I’m not an artist or creative. But then I look at the things I bring to life, like my brand and how I literally design every bag, accessory, piece of clothing and I’m like wait, this is creative work. I am a mf artist, and I’m sensitive about my shit😂. I specialize in pieces that make people want to put on a normal outfit just so that their fashion statements can stand out. Like a bag or a jacket. Even a belt. My first collection was a very mini bag and it’s literally so small. But whenever someone steps out in it, when they are stopped, it’s never for the biggest piece that they have on, but the small handbag that can only fit some lipgloss and cash. Crazy right? I think what sets me apart from others is the fact that I see shit that’s gone be big even when others can’t see the vision. And so many people try to sway me and be like oh you should change this or change that; and don’t get me wrong, I love hearing ideas and stuff like that, however, once a design is made, I’m hyper zoned in to it. Like we can do that on the next design but this one is perfect. Then when the design drops the outpouring of love and support just validates that I was right. It just be a feeling fr.

How do you define success?

I define success as whatever it means to the person. For me it means having a beautiful family. Marriage first, child almost immediately after because auntie getting old. But having SxaJ maintain my lifestyle and being a household name. Finishing my Master’s degree and then going on to law school. I also have this wild thought that my family will be the First family of black television. But that comes later. Just being genuinely happy and me and my loved ones being in continued good health is what success looks like for me.

Pricing:

• $200

Contact Info:

• Website: https://Forsxaj.com
• Instagram: Ms.anaj