Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Anasa Greaves. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Anasa, appreciate you joining us today. Alright, so we’d love to hear about how you got your first client or customer. What’s the story?

Getting my first client during my very first pop-up shop, which was essentially my garage-turned-studio, was an electrifying moment in my journey. I vividly recall hitting the streets with my flyers, and my cousin and I left no stone unturned – we slipped them under windshield wipers, tucked them into mailboxes, and handed them to local business owners. But the magic truly happened on that day when I saw several unfamiliar faces walking into my space, and let me tell you, it felt amazing.

My primary goal was to skyrocket brand awareness, so when one of those shoppers made a purchase, it was an indescribable sensation. You know, you anticipate your family’s support and their efforts to spread the word, but when a complete stranger becomes a customer, it’s an entirely different level of fulfillment. While I calmly packaged her purchase, I couldn’t help but sport an ear-to-ear grin that probably lit the whole room up.

Anasa, 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?

Established in 2017, “Unisa Eurani” (or “UE” for short) is a clothing line that fuses streetwear and classic tailoring, offering customers quality, comfort, and consistency.

UE is deeply rooted in the story of my beloved grandmother, Eunice Grannum, who was born in the beautiful Country of Guyana. She was the epitome of resilience, raising eight children and sewing their clothing with such finesse that it caught the eye of everyone in the village. Demand soared, and my grandmother ventured into her own clothing business, making and selling clothing. Her unwavering determination to create something out of nothing served as the spark that ignited my journey into the fashion world. With limited resources but an abundance of passion, I transformed my garage into a studio and when needed, into a pop-up store. That’s how UE came to life, and that’s why I chose to honor my grandmother through its name.

UE incorporates bold pops of color, patterns and hand drawn textiles along with tailored clothing often experimenting with contrasting shapes such as fitted silhouettes vs more oversized fits. With strides toward sustainability I utilize digital printing and natural dyeing methods which are less toxic to your skin and less harmful to the environment. Throughout the development of UE, I pay very close attention to detail, offering customers quality and structure while maintaining comfort.
My vision for UE is for it to become a household name, cherished by those who appreciate well-made clothing. As a minority business owner, I want our customers to know that their clothing is ethically produced and made with love. I want them to know that at UE, we take pride in outsourcing and working with other minority owned businesses. UE started with limited resources and the goal was to create something out of nothing and as UE grows I want to continue to foster that growth.

UE offers a selection of outwear, ready to wear and accessories. Our Ready to wear is divided into two categories fashionable basics which are unisex and our UE capsule which is a selection of interchangeable pieces that can be dressed up or down and worn throughout the seasons. In today’s economy I want to offer my customers clothing that they know will last whether it’s the Upbringing Hoodie or the Asymmetrical Duster I want my clients to know that their clothing is made with love and made to last.

We’d really appreciate if you could talk to us about how you figured out the manufacturing process.

In the beginning I personally handled the manufacturing of nearly all my products. However, as my business grew, I recognized the necessity of outsourcing to local manufacturing. The truth is, if you aspire to scale your business effectively, you must seek out quality assistance. I consider myself fortunate to have a background in design which equipped me with sewing and pattern drafting skills. This strong foundation not only contributed to the quality of my products but also proved to be cost-effective.

Having the capability to produce your own patterns and initial samples can significantly impact your expenses. It also empowers you with the ability to spot and address issues promptly, ensuring the final product meets your standards. However, one challenge I encountered was manufacturers often prefer to create the patterns themselves, a practice that tends to increase production costs. It’s crucial to stand your ground and persistently search for a manufacturer that aligns with your vision and budget.

One of the lessons I’ve learned from manufacturing is the importance of cost management. In this industry, every expense matters, and being vigilant about considering every cost, no matter how minor it may seem, is imperative for long-term survival and success.

Have you ever had to pivot?

The pandemic brought about a pivotal moment in my journey as a business owner. I originally centered my focus on contemporary clothing, but the unforeseen circumstances forced me to adapt rapidly. I found myself shifting gears, delving into the world of athleisure clothing and, quite unexpectedly, mask production.

I would’ve never thought I would be sewing hundreds of masks each week. However, like many other brands, I recognized the substantial demand for these essential items. In order to not only survive but also thrive during these times, I knew I had to be flexible and responsive to the needs of my customers. This adjustment not only helped sustain my business but also injected a significant boost of revenue.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.unisaeurani.co
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/unisaeurani/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/unisaeurani/

Image Credits
Image credits: Ryle Watson for the images with the cream background and headshot Image credits:Justin Lee for the images that are outdoors with the fuchsia set with models on stoop Image credits: Bug for the image of the female walking out the subway