We recently connected with Asia Suber and have shared our conversation below.

Asia, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Almost all entrepreneurs have had to decide whether to start now or later? There are always pros and cons for waiting and so we’d love to hear what you think about your decision in retrospect. If you could go back in time, would you have started your business sooner, later or at the exact time you started?

If I could go back in time I would have definitely started my business sooner. I started my business the year I graduated from college. It was a time in my life where I was discouraged. I was sending job application after application trying to get my foot in the television world and getting rejected due to my lack of experience. I think growing up and going through high school we are taught to go to college, but we are not shown what we should do if that big career job doesn’t pan out how we thought just because we have a degree. Starting earlier would have given me the opportunity to learn how to be a business owner sooner, grew my clientele and the chance to expand into other markets. I would have not put so much time into a career I thought I wanted. Looking back on it I would have not went to college and would have learned a trade in addition to connecting with a successful business owner in the fashion and hair industry to become my mentor.

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

I am from Spartanburg, SC and I am the owner of Briarwood Fashion and Briarwood Hair. Briarwood Fashion is an online women’s boutique that offers apparel, handbags, accessories and prescription eyewear. I also offer styling services and creative direction to other business owners and photographers. Briarwood Hair is a sister brand specializing in hair extensions and wigs. Briarwood comes from the street name my parents purchased their first house on. I’ve always had a love for fashion and being creative so I feel like it’s always been in me, but now I’m showing others what I bring to the table or what I already knew about myself. Being a business owner takes a lot of discipline especially when it comes to investing, money management and motivation to keep it operating. That discipline for me stems from my ambition to have my own storefront, my own team and to gain high profile clients. For my clients, I help build their confidence. I strive to create an experience when shopping with my brand and offering items that are different and unique. I want to have a personal connection with each customer which I believe sets me apart from other brands. My own creativity sets me apart too. I am most proud of my growth as a business owner and what I’ve learned so far. In the beginning I knew nothing about operating a business, but I knew it was something I couldn’t resist doing. The main thing I want customers to know about my brand is that my brand is apart of me. It’s what I plan on passing down to my children. It’s the one thing that a 9-5 hasn’t bought me yet .. which is happiness.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

A time I had to pivot in my career was when I left my news job. I worked as a news reporter for a few years and after awhile I started not to have the passion for it anymore. I was so busy telling other people’s stories that I wasn’t making time to create my own story. Plus, let’s be honest news is most of the time negative. My first year as a reporter, I was reporting during a pandemic so I’m telling viewers how many people died that day. I was reporting during Black Lives Matter protests in an area that was not culturally diverse in the mist of a high profile presidential election. I needed a break .. I needed a change.

What’s worked well for you in terms of a source for new clients?

Instagram and in person events are the best source of new clients for me. Instagram allows my business to be seen around the world and brings traffic not only to my business page, but to my website. Being a vendor at in person events also allows me the opportunity to meet new customers and tell them about my business. It also gives customers the chance to see what I offer versus just seeing them online.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.briarwoodfashion.com
• Instagram: @briarwoodfashion
• Facebook: Briarwood Fashion
• Other: @briarwoodhair

Image Credits
Calvin Byrd Lens of Atom Caleb Choice