We were lucky to catch up with India Starke recently and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, India thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Are you happier as a creative? Do you sometimes think about what it would be like to just have a regular job? Can you talk to us about how you think through these emotions?

Now, have I ever thought about having a “regular job?” Before I started my business, I had a very practical, yet successful career in Education. Have I ever about returning? I definitely have. It was in the first year of having my business. It’s not uncommon for change to be difficult for most people.

The beginning was rough. I was a multiple degreed, six figure salary girl with benefits and a pension. Who opts to leave that for the unknown? ME!

I remember conversations with my mother going like this, “Why don’t you go back to Education? How long do you think you’ll be doing this? Are you selling anything? You don’t have any health insurance. Don’t you miss your old life? You should think about getting a job.” I get it. My mother was worried for me. She lives a very structured lifestyle and had raised me to live the same.

In the beginning, there were times when orders weren’t coming in as quickly and I wasn’t sure it I would obtain any success in this field. I doubted myself, my craft, and my ability to run my own business. I felt like giving up. It would’ve been so much easier to return to a profession that I knew with job security. But then I realized, I’m a fighter. I was born in a family of survivors and goal achievers.

Being a Customizing Designer had not only become a dream of mine, but I was determined, if nothing else, to prove to my mother that I could do it. I remember that right before my father died, he gave me his blessing to live the life of my choice That’s exactly what I needed to keep going! Three years later, I’ve been afforded so much opportunity. My business continues to grow. I have health benefits and this career change has given me the freedom to live on my own terms.

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 background and context?

Ever since I was a young girl, I dreamt of living in the world of fashion. As an only child born and raised in Miami, Florida, I spent a lot of time not only playing with dolls, but deconstructing/ upcycling their clothes as well. I guess it’s safe to say that even at a young age, I knew it was important for every doll in my collection to make a “fashion statement.”

Both of my parents were well-dressed professionals. My mother would often say, “A young lady’s presence is always evaluated on how she enters a room. Therefore, she must dress well.” That was one of the many pieces of advice that stuck with me over the years.

When I entered middle school, I began bleaching and dyeing my clothes. It was truly trial and error. Sometimes, it was heavier on the error side (lol). My mother purchased an embellishment device. It was my absolute favorite! “ I embellished everything from my shoes to jeans to shirts. I truly thought that I found my niche. There was nothing fresher than going to school in a shirt that you razzle dazzled yourself.“ As I got older, I stopped creating and developed an interest in fashion magazines. The desire to become a fashion model or clothing designer was born. Of course, this was something that my parents did not agree with. Both of them led successful careers in Education and their goal was for me to follow the same path. Having practical parents, fashion was not viewed as a solid career choice that would provide me with financial stability. Needless to say, while my dreams of fashion were deferred, my fashion sense remained.

After graduating from high school, I attended Clark Atlanta University and secured a degree in Education. I moved to Washington, DC and led a successful career. However, I always felt like something was missing. I simply grew into it and remained in this career to maintain her parents’ approval.

Five years ago, my life changed drastically when her father became deathly ill. “I know it’s not realistic, but I never thought the day would come when either of my parents would no longer be living,”she stated. I traveled back and forth from DC to Miami over the 3 years, until moving there temporarily to care for him until his death in 2017. Right before my father passed, he told me that he wished he would have let me pursue my dreams and lead the life I wanted to live. His passing was difficult for me and her mother to accept. Life as I knew it didn’t have the same meaning and I didn’t have the same drive after returning to DC.

In 2018, my mother became ill (now healthy), and it put me back on the road again. As she recovered, I knew it was time for change. Everything hit me all at once. After all these years, it became clear that it was time to resign, sell my home, and relocate.

In 2019, I moved to Atlanta, where it all started and was eager to begin the next chapter on her own terms. In September of this same year, Style JUNKIEZ Klozet LLC was born. I worked out of my home customizing camouflage jackets for clients. To my surprise, my business grew rapidly. I went from customizing camouflage to blazers, dresses, bags, coats, and more. I expanded to social media and dedicated myself to building my brand and offering clients a unique style experience. In 2020, I moved my business into a growing workspace in Atlanta’s artsy neighborhood, Little Five Points. This move allowed for much more exposure, opportunity and growth. I was finally living in her truth and working in her passion. Today, I am proud to be a Fashion Customizer/Designer who excitedly minds her “Black Woman-Owned Business.”

I have customized pieces for Love and Hip Hop Atlanta’s Mimi Faust, Trina, Celebrity Stylist Ryan Christopher, Karen KD Douglas, Award Winning Poet Queen Sheba, Londynn B, Celebrity Photographer Derek Blanks and others. Style JUNKIEZ Klozet puts a unique twist on urban wear while gaining notoriety for its exclusivity.

What’s the most rewarding aspect of being a creative in your experience?

For me, the most rewarding part about being a Creative Artist is being able to share my perspective. The feeling is indescribable when I witness a client putting on an item that I customized for them for the first time. It’s the feeling of pride they exude in the garment and me knowing that I did that.

It’s a feeling of achievement and personal satisfaction. It’s the reassurance that I’m walking in my purpose.

How can we best help foster a strong, supportive environment for artists and creatives?

While society does support artist of all kinds, there is so much more that can be done. Art itself is not only therapeutic, but it promotes culture tremendously. An artist/creative is one of the most essential people in all communities as it relates to preserving society.

Culture may not even exist without artists. We provide the drama, the film, the fashion, the paintings, the trends, the dance, and song to this rhythm of life.

Contact Info:

• Website: Www.stylejunkiezklozet.com
• Instagram: Www.Instagram.com/iam_style_junkiez_klozet