We were lucky to catch up with Alicia Washington recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alicia, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?

One day I was getting my boys dressed and I noticed my husband was able to dress just like them. I on the other hand, could not. Not even with matching colors! I learned the basics of sewing back in high school and my grandma had gifted me a sewing machine. I made things like pillows and totes. I went to my husband and was like “Could you get me a sewing machine please? I would like to make us matching clothes.” He hit me with the “you not even gonna use it! Just like your acoustic guitar!” I assured him that wouldn’t be the case. About two weeks later, my grandma passed April 2018 and I said to myself, I wonder if the reason to sew came back to me out of no where? About two weeks after that, came my birthday. I came downstairs to head to work and there on the counter was a brand new sewing machine and some flowers. Fast forward to August, I made my first outfit, posted on facebook and it went crazy! Started getting orders. My friends would say “soo lici(lesh) what you making today? And that’s when Sewww Lici was born.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I am Alicia Washington wife, mother, business woman, and serial entrepreneur. My passion is creating and I am grateful to have a business that allows me to do what I love. My desire to sew and create came to me in March of 2018 and about a month later, I lost the main seamstress of our family. My grandma was an amazing lady and the best quilter around. So I know that this desire to start sewing again was from her.

My husband gifted me the sewing machine on my 29th birthday, I bought a table and some fabric and made my first outfit in June. Posted on fb and a few friends asked for one and by November, Sewww Lici was born. And I am forever thankful for the way it panned out.

In my free time, I loves spending time with my husband, children, family and friends, dance, having girls’ nights and having kick backs. Chilling at home is definitely my favorite thing to do. And add the grill, some music and a few friends/family it’s a good day.

I was born and raised in South Carolina and where I also reside. I love to encourage others to be their true authentic selfs at all times. I am the sewing doula who well not only advocate for you, I’ll make the flyest outfit to do it in! For you too! My main goal as a doula is to educate and encourage women to have the birth that they desire and deserve.

I became a doula because after having my own for my last pregnancy, I realized that I had been being a doula for a long time and didn’t realize it was a term or title associated with it! I believe every women deserves to have a doula! It really helps you get educated on things you may have not known and helps to help you advocate for yourself when you are feeling that things shouldn’t be happening the way it is.

I can go back to when I was 15 and my friend told me she was expecting and was so nervous and upset and I told her she would be fine and I would be here for her. And 17 years later, I am still holding to that! I’ve always just loved anything dealing with birthing and mothering and as a child I wanted to be a pediatrician. So I may not be that, I still feel I went full circle to the path I was supposed to be on.

I am also a author with two published children books. My first book I wrote in 2019 and it was dedicated to my boys. My oldest was on this I can’t kick and can’t doesn’t reside in our home, so I had to make sure they knew it. Yes You Can, Little Brown Boy is what came of this. I also wanted to be able to show children that they could be illustrators at any age. So my godson was the illustrator for that book. It gives kids a visual of a child bring this book to life.

I wrote my second children’s book back in 2020 before I even knew I was having a daughter. I just knew that I wanted to teach girls , young and old to love their hair no matter what. Love Your Hair, Little Brown Girl is the title that came of this. Girls’ and women need to know they didn’t have to live up to any standards that were being made. And loving your hair no matter the way you chose to wear it is just fine.

I have since wrote a 3rd children’s book called Uplifting ABC Affirmations For Children: ASL Guide Along. I really get my inspiration from my kids! When they are having a hard time, I find away to help and then share with other kids and parents.

What’s been the best source of new clients for you?

I believe my best source for new clients is word of mouth! When I am able to service someone and they love my work, they tell everyone! I’ve watched it happen time and time again. And I am blessed for their kindness to want to send me more clients. It’s not always easy to keep the momentum going but it just take one person to let someone know and it’s up from there.

Any thoughts, advice, or strategies you can share for fostering brand loyalty?

I try my best to check in on my clients as much as possible. I always let them know I am a call, message, FaceTime a way if they are in need of my services! Whether it be sewing needs, doula needs or anything in between that I can be of assistance! They are stuck with me until they tell me otherwise.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://aliciamwashington.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/sewwwlici
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/share/1CG6PGG513/?mibextid=wwXIfr
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@livelovelicia2368?si=GyOlt61LfI18UoYp