We recently connected with Cierra Ramseur and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Cierra thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you open up about a risk you’ve taken – what it was like taking that risk, why you took the risk and how it turned out?
When I hear the phrase Taking a risk, I reflect on how fearful this action used to make me. We never really know the outcome of the risk, but throughout my journey, what risk-taking has revealed to me is my resilience and, most importantly, my Faith. I was experiencing a rough time back home in New York. I wasn’t happy in my career or my personal life. Something was missing, and I was highly dissatisfied. I quit my job as a design assistant at a denim company, Gave up my studio apartment, and moved in with my grandmother. No matter what I tried to do, nothing was working out, and I just wanted to leave. So I decided to move to Atlanta and start my business. I had no clue how I would do this, but this is what I said. I told my grandma I wanted to do I had no clue the world would experience an entire halt. I moved to Atlanta from New York in the middle of a pandemic with literally -200.00 in my bank account. Yes, you read that correctly -200.00. I packed all my belongings in a rental car my grandmother helped me get, and I just started driving. I didn’t have a job lined up before I moved here, the only family member I knew was my cousin Tee, and I was BROKE! Like no Money! NONE! I moved in with my cousin and had applied to so many jobs that the web server wouldn’t let me submit any more applications. Finally, I got hired as an assistant manager at Clarks in Lennox Mall after being in Atlanta for a week.
For six months, I didn’t stop; I didn’t book any vacations; I didn’t spend any money, did not attend any parties, or go out to eat. My life was strictly working and going back to my cousin’s house. After six months of staying with my cousin, I saved enough for a deposit for an apartment in midtown that I didn’t even get to tour before my move-in date. I purchased a mattress, a car, a new laptop, and, most importantly, a Juki sewing machine. I created an Upwork account and submitted proposals for freelance fashion CAD Illustrator and fashion consultant inquiries. My goal was 20 Submissions a week. Then, I began to take on clients as a design consultant. There were successful projects, draining projects, and projects I had to refund, but by the end of March 2021, I made 20,000.00 in client contracts. After that, I was hype you couldn’t tell me anything and decided I didn’t want to work for anybody but myself. So, I randomly quit my job and dedicated more of my time to building client relationships, strengthing my craft, putting myself out there, and building a reputation solely for my work.
I used to think taking the risk was deciding what I wanted to do, but The moment I decided that I was going to be a designer, life threw every punch at me in every direction, then asked me, “like yo you sure you want to do this.” I had to learn that taking risks is every day. It’s a continuous action in the decision to pursue my passion and achieve my version of success. I’m at a place now where I’m taking the risk no matter what the current visual circumstances. No matter how many sacrifices or failures, no matter what I may have to miss out on, and no matter how long it will take. I always answer, “Yes, I want to be a designer.” Risk Is a testament to Faith. The greater the risk, the greater the reward. I am still learning and figuring out how I will achieve this passion, but I know it’s going to work out, so It’s nothing to fear.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
Cierra Andrea, designer and owner of De La Crème Designs LLC, has devoted her entire career to the fashion industry. Cierra has studied at the Art Institute of New York City as a fashion design major and worked for notable contemporary RTW companies in the heart of the garment district, which molded and cultivated her crafts for over five years. In addition, she has worked with high-end private label companies with brands like Derek Lam, 10 Crosby, Donna Karen, Calvin Klein, and DKNY. Cierra Andrea brings seven years of experience as a designer, patternmaker, and industry consultant to the table. She has been designing and sewing beautiful creations literally since her teenage years. In addition, she is an artist, a businesswoman, and an overall Creative whose passion lies in bringing creativity to life.
De La Creme, LLC has been in Business since 2019. It is a full-service pattern-making, product design, and development company. It is equipped with heavy-duty industrial machines. De La Crème Designs LLC works with individuals, start-ups, and established businesses to support every aspect of the fashion industry. De La Crème Designs LLC can take you from an initial concept to design & samples, including salesman samples. De La Crème Designs LLC also provides industry consulting & assistance with manufacturing in the United States for companies in their fashion business’s planning and development stages.
What do you find most rewarding about being a creative?
The most rewarding aspect of being a designer for me is the finished product. There is so much preparation in sample designing, from organizing Fabrics, trims, patterns, and configuring the sewing steps, that I’m typically doing so much thinking and brainstorming throughout the process of designing that I don’t get the fulfillment until I see the finished product. However, what I also find most rewarding is my customers’ excitement and personality, shown when they wear my designs. It’s like, wow, I help create that moment or that project for my client, and they love it; that’s dope! I feel like it’s more of a collaboration with my client than designing for them because while creating, I’m trying my best to tap into my customer’s vision while also attempting to touch on my uniqueness. I feel most accomplished when that attempt is executed and the idea comes to life.
Are there any resources you wish you knew about earlier in your creative journey?
I wish I knew more about business mentorships from other accomplished entrepreneurs and business owners. I also wish I knew more about business credit and funding opportunities. I come from a community of amazingly talented Black Creatives in all industries, and I have realized the hood was never deprived of talent; It was deprived of the tools and resources. What my peers and I all have in common in this entrepreneurial journey is the experience of trying to figure it out. Though we share resources, we still lack the wisdom and know-how. I am proud to say everything I know about creating a business foundation, management, and funding was self-taught, But I would be lying If I didn’t admit I suffered a lot of hard lessons due to lack of knowledge. Trying to obtain information was like digging for diamonds in a dark coal mine while being blind.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://de-la-creme.webflow.io
- Instagram: Cierraandrea
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/feed/