We were lucky to catch up with Alexis Williams recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alexis, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to go back in time and hear the story of how you came up with the name of your brand?

You’re right… Naming anything, especially a business, can indeed be quite challenging. For me, the story behind the name of our brand, Aloha Glamour, is deeply personal and significant. It all began with the birth and untimely passing of my daughter, Lauren Taylor, while I was stationed in Hawaii back in 2015. Lauren embodied a beautiful blend of her African heritage and her Hawaiian birthplace, which inspired the very essence of Aloha Glamour. The word ‘Aloha’ holds a profound connection to a place that brought me both immense love and profound pain. It symbolizes the duality of life’s experiences. And ‘Glamour’ – that was the bonus, the touch of elegance and sophistication that Lauren brought into our lives, even if it was for a brief moment. Aloha Glamour is more than a brand; it’s a tribute to her memory, a fusion of cultures, and a celebration of the beauty that exists within both love and loss.

Alexis, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

Certainly, I’d be delighted to share. Having retired from a fulfilling career in the Air Force, I’ve navigated towards endeavors that blend my passions and advocacy. Currently, I’m the proud titleholder of Ms. Black Gulf Coast within the esteemed Ms. Black USA pageant system, and simultaneously, I am the founder and owner of Aloha Glamour. My boutique unifies Afrowaiian aesthetics with fashion, offering a range of clothing and accessories that pay homage to rich, cultural traditions. Both paths I tread allow me to uplift and inspire women, by promoting cultural understanding through fashion and empowering black women through the pageantry platform. Intriguingly, I often like to express that fashion chose me, rather than the converse. My journey into the fashion industry initiated somewhat serendipitously during my time in the military. When tragedy struck, I found solace and an unexpected kind of refuge in the vibrant colors and diverse textures of clothing. It was my safe space, a medium through which I could express and soothe myself amidst the chaos. This personal connection to attire and accessories, coupled with the poignant interactions with various cultures during my service, kindled the idea of starting Aloha Glamour. The boutique, in its essence, seeks to be more than a retailer but a bridge between cultures, and a vibrant, comforting space for our patrons, much like fashion was for me during trying times.
Our journey with Aloha Glamour has been one of passion, growth, and community impact. The purpose our brand serves goes beyond fashion; we create cultured clothing for trendsetters who live their life in color. This vibrant philosophy is deeply interwoven in every fabric and design we choose.

Starting a cultural brand in Mississippi came with its own set of challenges, but the way our local clients have embraced this journey of cultural exploration and self-discovery has been nothing short of inspiring. They’ve not only adopted the Afrowaiian aesthetic but have also become active participants in a larger, global story of cultural appreciation and economic empowerment.

A core aspect of our mission is our commitment to giving back to the communities that inspire us. To this end, we’ve chosen to work primarily with local artisans, particularly in Ghana, where 90% of our products are crafted. This choice isn’t just about ensuring authenticity and quality; it’s a conscious decision to contribute economically to these communities. By engaging local artisans instead of mass manufacturers, we’re directly impacting lives. We know the artisans, their families, and their stories, creating a personal connection that extends to our customers.

When someone purchases from Aloha Glamour, they’re doing more than buying a piece of clothing; they’re contributing to a child’s educational expenses, they’re helping a family pay their rent for two years in advance. This ripple effect of support and empowerment is the heart of our brand, making every purchase a meaningful act of solidarity and connection with communities across the globe.

Can you open up about how you funded your business?

The initial funding for my business came from an unexpected and poignant source. As a member of the Air Force, I received $10,000 from a survivor’s benefit plan, a sum that came to me during a time of profound personal grief.

With this amount, rather than letting it remain a reminder of loss, I decided to channel it into creating something meaningful, something that would not only honor my personal journey but also resonate with others. It was with this resolve and the survivor’s benefit that I took the first steps in establishing what is now Aloha Glamour.

This decision to invest the funds into starting my brand was more than a financial choice; it was a commitment to beginning a new chapter, one where loss and love, grief and creativity could coexist and even thrive. It marked the birth of a venture that was as much about cultural celebration and community empowerment as it was about personal healing and growth. This initial investment laid the foundation for a brand that would go on to touch lives far beyond my own, embodying resilience, cultural pride, and the vibrant spirit of life lived in full color.

We’d love to hear the story of how you turned a side-hustle into a something much bigger.

My journey with Aloha Glamour began not just as a business venture, but as a deeply personal avenue to navigate the uncharted waters of grief. In the African American community, the conversation around child loss is often shrouded in silence. When I faced this profound loss, I found myself at a crossroads where traditional support systems, including the military, couldn’t provide the solace I needed. In this moment of profound pain, I turned towards honoring my daughter’s legacy, a decision that propelled me onto a path I never anticipated but have come to embrace with all my heart.

Aloha Glamour became more than a brand; it became a testament to resilience, a celebration of life and culture, and a means to connect with others who share similar stories of loss and healing. It stands as a beacon of hope and strength, showing that even in our darkest moments, we can create something beautiful, impactful, and enduring.

The journey of Aloha Glamour has been marked by incredible milestones that reflect not just the brand’s success but the resonant impact of its story. Receiving a $10,000 grant from Beyoncé was a moment of validation and encouragement, acknowledging the power of a mission rooted in personal healing and cultural celebration. Being featured on platforms like Oprah.com, GQ.com, Black Enterprise, and TravelNoire.com further amplified our message, allowing us to reach and inspire a broader audience. Each of these achievements is a testament to the idea that from the depths of personal loss can emerge a powerful force for change, connection, and hope.

This story is more than mine alone; it’s a shared narrative of overcoming, of transforming grief into a journey of healing not just for myself but for a community that embraces life in all its vibrant colors. Aloha Glamour is a living legacy, a tribute to a beautiful life, and a reminder that even in loss, we can find pathways to joy and purpose.

Contact Info:

• Website: http://alohaglamour.shop
• Instagram: Www.instagram.com/alohaglamour
• Facebook: Www.facebook.com/alohaglamour
• Linkedin: Www.linkedin.com/alohaglamour
• Youtube: Www.youtube.com/alohaglamour