We were lucky to catch up with Aaliyah Thomas recently and have shared our conversation below.

Aaliyah , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. So, naming is such a challenge. How did you come up with the name of your brand?

I knew I wanted the name of my brand to be personal to me, as well as, for my readers to relate to me on a personal level. So Aaliyah Grace was born. Aaliyah is my first name and Grace is my middle name. I don’t believe you can get any more personal than that!

Aaliyah , 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?

My story began back when I was in High School. I knew I ultimately wanted to be in business for myself. During my Junior and Senior years of High School, I decided I was going to go to college and major in Fashion Merchandising. My goal of majoring in Fashion Merchandising was to become owner of my own clothing store. My dream was to attend the University of Alabama after I graduated High School in 2013, but things didn’t go as planned.

In the Fall of 2013, I decided to stay in my hometown of Columbus, GA and attend Columbus State University for two years and then transfer for my major of Fashion Merchandising. So, I did just that, but instead of attending The University of Alabama, I transferred to Georgia Southern University in the Fall of 2015. During my last semester, I was so stressed out with my classes that I wasn’t sure I was going to graduate. Not to mention, I still couldn’t find an internship that I was interested in. It was God’s grace that got me through, and I found an internship which I completed in the Spring of 2018, and I graduated in May 2018!

After graduation, I decided I didn’t want to have my own clothing store anymore, and really didn’t know what I wanted to do. So I began working in retail, and as of now I am working as a department manager for a large department store. I always told my myself I have a bigger purpose than this, and I knew I wanted to be my own boss! I have always had a passion for fashion and beauty, and knew that whatever I decided to do was going to involve those two things. I started my blog “Aaliyah Grace” in the Spring of 2021. I share all things fashion, beauty, lifestyle, and Faith. I am excited for this next chapter in my life, and can’t wait to see where it leads me!

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

I would have to say the main struggle during my journey, was not knowing what I really wanted to do with my life. I always sorta knew I wanted to be my own boss, but I didn’t know where to begin or how to get where I wanted to be. My Faith in God increased, and my Faith is what kept me going. I have learned to ALWAYS trust Him even if it doesn’t make sense. Even though I don’t understand it, God does. He’s in control and He knows what He’s doing.

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

I am still in the growing stage, but I would have to say social media is a great tool!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.aaliyahgrace.com
• Instagram: __aaliyahgrace
• Facebook: Aaliyah Grace
• Other: Email- aaliyahgracepr@gmail.com

Image Credits
Photos by Ivy Nicole Instagram: Ins_photographyllc