We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Angela Rivers-Harper a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Angela, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?
I am an individual who loves fashion. I have always been curvy and I was fed up with the unflattering clothing I would see. I also did understand why there were no plus size models in fashion shows and ripping the runway here in Ohio. So, in 2013, I came up with Cincinnati Full Figured Fashion Weekend. A weekend dedicated to the plus size man and woman featuring designers from all over. I changed the name to Ohio Kurvy Fashion Weekend in 2015. Everyone was using full figured so I wanted to be creative and set apart, henceforth, OKFW was created. I got so much positive feedback from having this event, I turned it into a yearly event and it was welcomed with open arms. One of the things I incorporated was to have a full weekend full of folks, fun, food, and fashion. Friday would be a gala/party, Saturday would be the huge fashion show and Sunday would end with amazing speakers and brunch. It was a hit. 1 of the premiere fashion shows in Ohio and 2024 will be 10 years. 2024, we are pulling out a host of great ideas, designers, and models. Body positivity needs to be accepted and celebrated. Being curvy and confident is wonderful feeling. Embrace it. Love it! Do you! Be you!
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
My name is Dr. Angela Rivers-Harper and I am the CEO of Ohio Kurvy Fashion Weekend. We specialize in plus size fashion shows for plus size men and women. I am also the CEO of Kute Kosmetics by Angela-Nicholle, Kute Frames, Keep it Kurvy Boutique, , Klassy Handbags, The I Love Me Women’s Empowerment, and H.E.R Hustle. I am also the Director of the Northern Valley Region of American Beauties National and Plus Pageants by Royal Productions. I am one busy lady! What sets me a part from everyone else is I am a born boss lady. I come from a family of business owners and my grandfather was in business for over 50 years. Everyone on my maternal side has at least 2 side hustles they are extremely great at. Myself, my husband and my daughter have several small businesses here in Cincinnati. I believe in building an empire to leave a legacy behind. I am now a grandmother and everything that I was taught while growing up, I instilled it in my daughter and I will do the same for my grandson.
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
During COVID, we had to think of creative ways to still bring in some type of profit and to keep our doors open. My boutique specializes in swimwear and while the pandemic closed everything, I found it very difficult to sell my inventory. I would create 3-for-1 sales quite often just to have a slew of backstock still on the shelves. My businesses have taken a downgrade since COVID but I find that they pick up during the holiday season. My fashion show only took a hit during the shut down but instantly picked back up the following year. I had to think of inventive ways to keep my doors open. Even though we struggled financially, our doors still remained open. H.E.R Hustle and the “I Love Me!” Women’s Empowerment conference have gained a lot of traction in the last 3 years and I am really grateful for that.
Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?
Networking. Attend events where you are able to meet like-minded individuals. Build relationships with your vendors, banks, community, and community officials, and continue and market yourself so that others know who you are and the products that you sell. Put yourself out there. Register for vendor events. Create a social media presence on all platforms. When people see you out and about, it creates curiosity. That makes people want to know more about who you are and the services that you have to offer.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.keep-it-kurvy-okfw-boutique.myshopify.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/okfwbosslady
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/anrivers
- Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/drangelariversharper
- Twitter: www.twitter.com/mzget_it_in
- Youtube: www.youtube.com/msohioplus
Image Credits
Tim Lawson, TJ Images