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

Hi Debbie, thanks for joining us today. Let’s talk legacy – what sort of legacy do you hope to build?

In everything I do, I believe no legacy is as rich as authenticity, exclusivity and inclusivity all in one; that is exactly what I would like to be remembered for. As long as my journey in the fashion industry embodies all these three aspects, then that will be the greatest accomplishment for me, solely because my legacy will not be about what I did for myself, but the impact I had on other people.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

My journey in the fashion industry started off as a hobby which then grew into a passion; one that I ever so much love and adore. As much the recent pandemic brought about so much disparities all around the world, I took it upon myself to make something positive of the not so interesting experience that was lockdown. My life constantly revolved around work and home, which was not doing any good for my mental health; I had to find a way out of that monotony. That’s exactly how I got into fashion modeling & styling.
My vision is to take over the reins of the fashion industry and to be the face behind a leading brand in fashion styling.
I take pride in my ability to tap into the ever changing trends and creatively put together outfits that embody my core values. This is how my brand “Nakai Styling” came about.

What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?

Consistency and once again, authenticity. My love for fashion drives me to always be on the hunt for the latest trends and ideas that will engage my audience and keep them coming back for more. Aside from that, the journey to the top is never going to be a bed full of roses and so I believe letting my audience and clientele into my low moments, just as I do with my best moments builds a level of trust between us. It’s important to show both sides of the spectrum; good and bad, because then, you eventually inspire people along the way and ultimately form a solid relationship with your audience.

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

I would like to say it’s well on its way there. My full time career lies in the legal profession. Balancing the two has been nowhere near easy, but I’m forever indebted to the lessons I have learnt so far, the people I have met along the way as well as my forever supportive audience. My goal however is to grow my business to the point of becoming one of my main careers.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/debbie.opiata/

Image Credits
Debbie Opiata