We recently connected with Jamari Boozer and have shared our conversation below.

Jamari , appreciate you joining us today. Alright, so you had your idea and then what happened? Can you walk us through the story of how you went from just an idea to executing on the idea

My process of going from idea to execution was realizing that my passion for designing clothes was deeper than just creating; it’s a gift. Having the ability to make different types of garments, while making them affordable, has always been my goal since the beginning. Over a six-month span before releasing my first product, I researched different types of prints, how to find a manufacturer, fabrics, and the weight of the garment. It took a lot of late nights and numerous mornings when I would join meetings, rushing to wholesale stores to get certain items first. While still having to teach myself the proper way to handle the finances of a business, I am also creating my brand identity and online presence, which was all so new to me.

Jamari , 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’m Jamari Boozer, the brand Owner of RichLifestyle Brand. My passion is to create, inspire, and bring my personal ideas to life while also pushing others around me to be the best individuals they can be. Being able to inspire self-exploration and individualism through creativity makes me feel proud. The clothing industry was first shown to me by just seeing others whom I know market and showcase their creations at different events. Being a person who grew up as a kid who would sketch little drawings and designs in my notebook during class, to grow up and see that it was an actual platform for people to network, sell, and just express themselves with art was like finding a sense of belonging. When making a product, I always want the customer to feel comfortable and confident. I think of it as seeing your favorite athlete, actor, writer, or whoever you may look up to. When you see that person at a major event, their demeanor shows that they are confident in themselves and what they have on. Having the ability to turn an idea into any type of product that boosts and uplifts that person is really special. For those who have been waiting for the day to start that business plan or hesitate to take a risk, the longer you wait, the less time you’ll have to make mistakes. I believe no creation was made perfect. Every mistake will lead to a masterpiece. Life is dynamic, and things don’t always work out the way you want them to, but everything happens for a reason.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

At the start of me creating the foundation of my brand, it was during the year 2021, during COVID-19. The beginning of my business was a difficult time due to not being able to outsource materials and network for myself. Not reaching out to others to network or being a part of events to further spread the presence of my brand was challenging. With the world now being under quarantine, it took even longer for products to get made and delivered to me. I started to think of different ways to make clothes myself, and I had to get them made in the surrounding areas around me. I just designed my first product, which was hoodies and beanies, to prepare for the upcoming season. Once my products were designed and everything was in hand and ready to be sold. I went around neighborhoods and different friends homes to sell my clothes for a more authentic and personal approach. Months went by I started to think it had to be a way I could get my products in stores while still being an upcoming brand owner. Then the idea came to me, my two or three friends would go to stores and newly opened streetwear storefronts and go inside and ask, “Is there any new RichLifestyle Brand merchandise available?” or simply show a product from my brand, then ask if this is in stock. We would do that about two days a week for two months. That would later create an interest in my brand from the store owner to see how the store can further benefit by adding my products in-store.At first, it was a slow start, but as I went out day after day, neighborhood to neighborhood, I started to get contacted by friends of previous customers, which was the start of my brand.

Can you talk to us about manufacturing? How’d you figure it all out? We’d love to hear the story.

Starting, I made my products, and to this day, every design begins with a rough sketch. Once the sketch is finished to my liking, I start deciding on the colors and the different fonts of the design. After my first year of selling products for my brand, I decided to search for a manufacturer to have access to a larger range of better materials, longer-lasting, and of excellent quality. Figuring out which manufacturer was the best for me took a lot of trial and error. From my experience, I would say it was more difficult to trust a manufacturer than to find one. Depending on the product you are producing, different manufacturers will reach out to you so they can sell themselves and do business with you. I created and have paid for mentorships in the past to get a deeper insight into different ways to present yourself, get offered special deals, and even receive free samples. The biggest lesson that I learned about manufacturing a product would have to be to stay precise. From the start to the finish, every shade of color, correct measurements, the fabric, and the care of the product.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://richlifestyle.shop
• Instagram: @richlifestylebrand

Image Credits

Seddy Hendrix