We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Chelsea Alford a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Chelsea, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Risking taking is a huge part of most people’s story but too often society overlooks those risks and only focuses on where you are today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – it could be a big risk or a small one – but walk us through the backstory.

In the midst of the pandemic’s uncertainty, I embarked on a remarkable journey to start my own business with little more than a spark of an idea and unwavering determination. While the world grappled with unprecedented challenges, I saw an opportunity to pivot and innovate.

With limited resources at my disposal, I began by crafting a solid business plan that emphasized adaptability and cost-efficiency. I embraced the digital landscape, utilizing free or low-cost online tools to build a web presence and connect with potential customers. Social media became my storefront, and virtual networking my lifeline.

The road was bumpy, filled with late nights, setbacks, and uncertainty. However, I persevered, leveraging the newfound resilience born from these challenging times. As the world slowly regained its footing, my business began to thrive, a testament to the power of determination and adaptability even in the face of adversity.

My story is a testament to the indomitable spirit of entrepreneurs who dared to dream and take the leap during the pandemic, proving that with resourcefulness and unwavering resolve, one can turn adversity into opportunity and emerge stronger on the other side.

Chelsea, 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 started this business in the midst of the pandemic. A lot of people would call me crazy but I think it was the perfect time. I have always loved fashion and beauty and before the pandemic hit, i was working as a beauty recruiter. I worked alongside Anastasia Beverly Hills, Peter Thomas Roth, Velour lashes and many more.

The success of my business didn’t happen overnight, I actually still haven’t reached my achieved level of success. I will say I had the help of a private investor and I thank him every chance I get. He believed in the message I wanted to put out and saw my tenacity and drive. I think the best part of my business is the marketing and seeing how excited customers are when they receive their packages. I love coming up with new creative ways to get my brand to reach new audiences. I worked a lot of long restless nights coming up package designs and taking pictures to show my products in the right light. My graphic designer is on the other side of the country, so I had only a limited amount of time to communicate with him as far as what I needed.

The most important factor behind my brand is building confidence in my customers. I was always told that I am a very confident individual, from the way i walk into a room to how I carry myself. I really pride myself in exuding confidence and I want it to show in my product. I want my customers to feel like when they wear my clothes they feel unstoppable. I want them to feel good about themselves. “When you look good, you feel good, when you feel good you do good” George St. Pierre. I want people to do more good, and they can with my products.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

I’ve made a lot of mistakes but I think that builds character. I’m still making mistakes but I’m learning from them and growing. I have learned to step away sometime so I can come back with a better outlook on things. I really want the world to know that starting a business is as easy (or hard) depending on the amount of time, effort and patience you put into it. The quality of your work will show in your end result and your consumers will see that.

How did you build your audience on social media?

I started by using the marketing tools the social media platforms provided. I stayed consistent and used my own money to market towards my target audience. I then grew it on the east coast after working solely on west coast clients. It took some time but I built up a clientele and it has worked for me.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.theslayroom.me/
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/the_slayroom?igshid=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==