We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Alicia Lee. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Alicia below.
Hi Alicia, thanks for joining us today. Can you recount a story of an unexpected problem you’ve faced along the way?
Being a business owner has it ups and downs, but some of the most unexpected problems I’ve faced in my business are education and financial issues because it cost to go to school and take classes that help you evolve in today’s luxury fashion and retail industry and it cost to successfully manage and operate a luxury company. how I have resolve those some of the most unexpected problems you’ve faced in your business and how did you resolve those Issues I work extra hours and jobs outside of my businesses to make extra income to pay for schooling and classes to get more education and support my vision as a brand and business owner. It has not been a easy road but a great journey that will build a new foundation for my families future.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
Born and raised in Charlottesville Virginia, I am a mother of 1 daughter, grandmother of 3, friend, leader, role model, mentor, advocate, plus size model/brand ambassador, business owner/manager, and event planner. I have a diversified background and am a former owner of a successful daycare business that I operated for 10 year before I decided to return to my true passion – a fashion designer. I have always wanted to be a fashion designer since I was young I took some classes throughout school but never to the time to truly put effort into developing my own clothing brand and now I’m taking the opportunity to work on my own clothing brand business. With the help of Go Startup business program, I am able to focus on my goals and get them accomplished. I want to make a brand of clothing for all people from men, women, children to plus sizes that are great quality for an affordable price. Equipped with not only a gift for designing, I fill an immense marketplace need by providing plus size clothing for sure to please the most savvy shopper in both quality and affordability. I’m now the owner of my own store Alicia’s Vintage Shop and clothing brand Vintage Appeal.
Have you ever had to pivot?
I’ve always wanted to be a fashion designer at a young age took classes in high school so that once I graduated I would have a career straight out of high school but that changed once I got pregnant in high school at the age of 15 and that changed everything thing I my life, that meant no college right away and funding was not an option with a child to raise. So I ended up changing my major to cosmology and graduated with completion of cosmetology of 951 hours and went onto being hairstylist for 2 yrs then off and on jobs until I become a correctional officer in 2002, CNA, mental health specialist and chief of voter registration, then to owning my own daycare in 2012 before I ended up back at dream fashion and design.
Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?
As you can see I have have many careers and jobs throughout my journey but I never gave up on my dream to becoming a entrepreneur, business owner and a fashion designer. There will be issues, setbacks, roadblocks, obstacles and financial problems. You have to come up with strategy plans for how and when these problems arise to handle each situation. A lot of times we are not prepared for challenges and we have to remember the reason why we started, why this was a vision, why it made you excited. I read my mission and vision statement everyday to remind myself WHY? I’m building a new foundation for my families future!!!! That’s what keeps my going
Contact Info:
- Website: https://alicialee9.wixsite.com/aliciasvintageshopll
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/aliciasvintageshopllc?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/aliciasvintageshop/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alicia-lee-02388b188
- Twitter: @leealee4
- Other: Website: https://alicialee9.wixsite.com/aliciasvintageshopll Instagram accounts: 1. https://instagram.com/alicia.lee5?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y= 2. https://instagram.com/alicia.llee5?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y= 3. https://instagram.com/aliciasvintageshopllc?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y= 4. https://instagram.com/vintageappeal.llc?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y= Facebook accounts: 1. https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100023434510752 2. https://www.facebook.com/alee4u2 3. https://www.facebook.com/aliciallee9/ 4. https://www.facebook.com/justmealee5/ 5. https://www.facebook.com/aliciasvintageshop/ 6. https://www.facebook.com/VintageAppeal.LLC/ Check out Alicia Lee’s profile on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/alicia-lee-02388b188 https://app.musicbreakr.com/influencerprofile/alicia-lee
Image Credits
Alicia Lee