Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Dawn Patterson. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Dawn , thanks for joining us today. Let’s jump right into the heart of things. Outsiders often think businesses or industries have much larger profit margins than they actually do – the reason is that outsiders are often unaware of the biggest challenges to profitability in various industries – what’s the biggest challenge to profitability in your industry?

Sustainability seems common for some businesses but taboo for others. Depending on the geographic location and the nature of the company. However, the sustainability industry itself is acquiring billions in profit due to the push in climate change. Governments around the world are more focused on innovative sustainable ideas that funds are directly used for impact change. But unfortunately, small businesses are not getting the resources to grow and scale appropriately in this industry. Well, speaking for myself I have had some great challenges trying to advance my company in the sustainability space. Although, I Am My City started as an apparel line, the vision for this brand has always been more, beyond fashion. Trying to convey the big picture without falling prey to competition has been a challenge for me. That has happened before, I had an idea for the brand, and someone who I shared that vision with took it and made it out to be her own. It bothered me because I knew, the true vision I have for the company is far greater and it’s been a challenge keeping it to myself but trying to get partnerships and funding.

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?

I am Dawn Patterson, founder and owner of I Am My City a sustainability company. Currently, the brand focuses on sustainable wear but it’s transitioning into a bigger industry beyond fashion.

I Am My City startedin Detroit when the streets were filled with blight. Detroit was blacklisted, even among the gritty list of urban cites around the country. Crime, blight, poor housing conditions, would come to mind when Detroit was mentioned. Detroiter’s were leaving the city to suburban areas. Many would not claim The D, a name familiar to Detroiters, as their home. Although many people fled, a few stayed and we were one of them. Supporting our city through its darkest days and still today we are happy to call this once fallen city our home. The future is bright, and we hope to continue to inspire others to support their cities and grow their communities. I Am My City, a brand embedded in the fabric of each city and in the hearts of people that live in them. This brand embodies the spirit of the people.

Any fun sales or marketing stories?

So, my favorite marketing story looks different from most and perhaps the question. But I was in my creative director hat, producing a commercial for the brand. It told a phenomenal story but I wasn’t sure if others got the message I was trying to convey. It was really hard to get the message out with clarity because I had been operating in a space of emotion. When you’re a creative it’s hard to separate the two, business from emotion and it showed in the storyline. But the goal was to touch my audience on the reality of Detroit. I just wish I had someone on my team that had a marketing background to help structure the message in which I was conveying. The point is, marketing is so important it can be the reason a business succeeds or fails. A owner of a successful marketing company once told me, “if I did everything you did I will not be as successful as I am.” If you don’t have a marketing team, I suggest you start yourself, strategize but start and the rest we fall into place.

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

The most effective strategy for growing the brand’s clientele was learning to stay true to the mission. Identify the brand’s identity before you try to market. Growing a customer base is not easy when you’re starting out but know that not everyone will buy your product so you can’t market to everyone.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.iammycity.com/
• Instagram: Iammycitybrand
• Twitter: iammycityllc