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

Bilkis , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What can you share with us about the story behind how you found your key vendors?

Finding key vendors was not an overnight process for me. It took many nights of research, consistent communication, and hands-on trial and error. Over the years, I’ve worked with multiple manufacturers and distributors, testing samples, evaluating quality, turnaround times, and communication styles. Through that process, I learned that vendor relationships are built gradually, not rushed.

Today, there are one or two vendors I work with consistently because trust was earned over time. Patience played a major role — from reviewing samples, refining specifications, and ensuring alignment with my brand standards. I’ve found that being transparent about expectations, timelines, and limitations creates mutual respect. When vendors understand exactly what you need and why, they are more willing to be flexible and collaborative.

That honesty and consistency helped build strong vendor partnerships, allowing room for negotiation, adjustments, and long-term reliability. If I were to do anything differently, I would invest even more time upfront in due diligence and documentation. Ultimately, the key lesson is that strong vendor relationships come from patience, clarity, and treating the relationship as a partnership rather than a transaction.

Bilkis , love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I’m the founder of Kiss Lane, a lifestyle brand created at the intersection of confidence, craftsmanship, and modern luxury. My path into this industry was driven by a desire to build something intentional—products that feel elevated yet practical, and that seamlessly fit into a woman’s everyday life.

Kiss Lane offers thoughtfully designed lifestyle essentials, from statement hats to versatile totes, each developed with a strong emphasis on quality, function, and timeless design. I’m hands-on in every aspect of the business, from sourcing and vendor relationships to design and brand storytelling. Building the brand required years of research, persistence, and refinement—testing samples, learning the manufacturing process, and establishing trusted partnerships rooted in transparency and mutual respect.

What defines Kiss Lane is intention. Rather than chasing trends, the brand focuses on longevity, authenticity, and confidence. I’m most proud of creating a brand that reflects resilience and purpose—one that encourages women to move through the world with style, strength, and self-assurance.

My Quote:
“Luxury isn’t about excess—it’s about intention. Kiss Lane is built for women who lead with confidence and move through life on their own terms.”

What else should we know about how you took your side hustle and scaled it up into what it is today?

Yes, Kiss Lane began as a side hustle in 2016. At the time, I was setting aside money from my paycheck and experimenting creatively—starting with handmade jewelry, hats, and home pieces like ottomans. It was very hands-on and organic, driven by passion rather than a rigid business plan. I was learning as I went, testing ideas, and paying close attention to what resonated with people.

As the brand grew alongside me, it began to shape my vision just as much as I shaped it. Over time, I gained clarity through experience—seeing what worked, what didn’t, and where my strengths truly were. Key milestones included refining my product focus, building more intentional vendor relationships, and eventually rebranding to better reflect the direction I wanted to take the business.

Today, Kiss Lane is far more defined and purposeful. What started as a creative outlet has evolved into a brand with a clear identity and long-term vision. The transition taught me the value of patience, reinvention, and trusting the process. Each phase—especially the early experimentation—played a critical role in getting me to where I am now and where I’m intentionally heading next. Still learning and growing.

Can you talk to us about how you funded your business?

Kiss Lane was initially funded through my personal savings—money set aside intentionally over time while I built the brand alongside my career. In the early days, every dollar mattered. I invested carefully, focusing on small production runs, samples, and learning the process rather than rushing growth.

Funding the business myself allowed me to move at my own pace, experiment creatively, and evolve naturally. As the brand grew, I reinvested what it earned back into refining products, strengthening vendor relationships, and eventually rebranding to reflect a clearer vision.

That early, self-funded chapter shaped the foundation of Kiss Lane—teaching me patience, resilience, and the value of building something thoughtfully from the ground up.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.kisslane.com
• Instagram: www.instagram/kiss_lane