We were lucky to catch up with Briana Jackson recently and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Briana thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?
Thank you for your interest in Kendra’s Kloset and Kollections! Our mission is deeply personal and rooted in faith, resilience, and the pursuit of empowering others through fashion. After the traumatic loss of my infant son, Elias,I was devastated, but in that dark time, God reignited my passion for fashion. This passion became more than just an outlet—it became my mission to help others find hope and beauty in the midst of their own struggles. I sought solace and strength in God, and He reminded me of my passion for fashion. This passion became not just a way to move forward but a platform to inspire others, especially women who have faced hardship.
Kendra’s Kloset and Kollections exists to celebrate individuality and confidence, helping our clients feel empowered from the inside out. We believe that fashion can be a powerful tool for expression and healing. Our boutique reflects our belief in perseverance, faith, and creating beauty from life’s challenges. Through this venture, we hope to inspire others to walk in their purpose and embrace their God-given potential.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
Absolutely! My name is Briana “Bri” Kendra Jackson, and I’m the owner of Kendra’s Kloset and Kollections. My journey into the fashion industry was both unexpected and divinely inspired. I’ve always had a love for fashion, and began modeling and being introduced to fashion at the tender age of seven, with Erole’ Expose Showcase Models (Stanley E. Smith), but it wasn’t until a personal tragedy—the loss of our (Sp. Michael Jackson Jr.) infant son, Elias Michael—that I truly stepped into my calling with the determination to defeat grief’s grips. After experiencing such heartbreak, I turned to prayer and asked God for direction. In that quiet time, He reminded me of my passion for fashion, and from that, Kendra’s Kloset and Kollections was born.
At Kendra’s Kloset and Kollections, we offer a carefully curated selection of clothing that’s not only stylish but also empowering. Our boutique caters to women who want to feel confident, beautiful, and bold in what they wear. We pride ourselves on offering unique pieces that are often hard to find elsewhere, ensuring that our clients stand out. We don’t just sell clothes; we offer a transformative experience. Our goal is to help women feel empowered, whether they’re attending a special event, going to work, or just living their everyday lives.
What sets us apart is the personal connection we have with our clients. We understand that fashion is personal, and we aim to make every woman who walks through our doors feel seen and valued. Whether it’s through styling advice, personalized customer service, or just being a listening ear, we create a welcoming environment where women can embrace their individuality.
I’m incredibly proud of how far we’ve come as a brand and of all the influx of opportunities we’ve had to style and collaborate with celebrities, politicians, and even showcase our Kollection at events like the Christian Women’s Expo in June 2024. But what I’m most proud of is the community we’ve built. It’s so much more than just a business to me—it’s a mission to inspire and uplift others.
For potential clients and followers, I want you to know that Kendra’s Kloset and Kollections is here for you. We’re not just about fashion; we’re about fostering a sense of confidence and empowerment through the clothes you wear. Whether you’re shopping for something specific or just looking for a boost in confidence, we’re here to help you find that perfect piece that makes you feel like the best version of yourself.
As I work with my clients, I’ve come to realize that you never truly understand someone’s journey until you take the time to connect with them on a deeper level. It’s often through these moments of connection that they feel comfortable enough to share their life experiences. What may have started as a professional interaction evolves into something much more personal, as they find the confidence to open up. Through their stories, a bond forms that goes beyond just conversation. It transforms into a source of support and becomes an opportunity for prayer, allowing us to stand together in faith and lift up each other’s challenges and triumphs.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
One of the most defining moments of my journey—and one that truly tested my resilience—was the loss of my infant son, Elias. It was the most heartbreaking experience of my life, and for a while, I felt completely lost. As a mother, the grief was overwhelming, and it was hard to imagine how I could move forward. But it was in that dark moment that I turned to God for strength and guidance. I prayed, asking for the ability to heal and the direction to continue living my life with purpose.
During that time of prayer, God reminded me of my passion for fashion, something I had always loved but never fully pursued. He showed me that I could take that passion and turn it into something that not only healed me but also helped others. That’s how Kendra’s Kloset and Kollections came to be. I realized that fashion could be a tool to empower women, to help them feel confident and strong, just as it was helping me regain my own strength.
Starting a business in the aftermath of such a personal tragedy wasn’t easy, but I was determined to turn my pain into purpose. Every step of building my brand has been fueled by that resilience—the same resilience that helped me get up each day after losing Elias. Through this journey, I’ve learned that resilience isn’t about avoiding pain but about finding the strength to keep going in spite of it. I now use my business as a platform to inspire others, showing them that even in the face of unimaginable loss, we can still rise, create, and thrive.
Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?
A lesson I had to unlearn was the idea that I had to do everything on my own to be successful. Growing up, I always admired my parent’s work ethic and their ability to run multiple successful businesses and car dealerships. I saw my parents as strong figure who seemed to handle everything with grace and precision, and I knew that to achieve success, I had to embody that same level of independence and self-reliance.
When I started Kendra’s Kloset and Kollections, I carried that mindset with me. I believed that if I wanted my business to thrive, I had to shoulder every responsibility by myself—handling the designs, the marketing, the finances, and every little detail. At first, it worked because of my passion and determination, but over time and the more we grew, I realized that this approach was unsustainable. I was burning out quickly, and it became clear that I couldn’t do it all alone and still grow my business the way I envisioned.
The turning point came when I started collaborating with other talented professionals—designers, marketers, and business coaches. I had to unlearn the belief that asking for help or building a team was a sign of weakness. Instead, I discovered that it’s through collaboration and relying on others’ strengths that we can truly expand and succeed. I began to see that my role wasn’t to do everything but to lead and surround myself with people who could help me take my vision further.
Now, I embrace the power of teamwork and the importance of community in both my business and personal life. This shift in mindset has not only helped my brand flourish but has also given me the balance and peace I need to continue moving forward.
