We were lucky to catch up with James Stewart recently and have shared our conversation below.

James, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What was the most important lesson/experience you had in a job that has helped you as a business owner?

Knowing the worth of your brand! What I mean is you have to know that what you have to bring to the table is worth the investment to any company and you should be compensated for your intellectual property. Never settle, be firm in your stance, and pray before every decision.

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?

Growing up in a small town Ormond Beach, Fl right outside of Daytona Beach, as a young black male you were conditioned to fit a certain mold and I always went against the grain. It’s was in college at the Great Bethune Cookman University my freshman year where I was approached to become apart of a modeling organization on campus, Faces Modeling Troupe Inc. and within a year I became the fashion Coordinator for the organization and from there on I moved up as the state fashion coordinator over-seeing all 7 campuses across Florida. From there I knew I had a gift and I wanted to capitalize off of it, so I stepped out on faith went and did some Assisstant Styling work for Love & Hip Hop Season 1 Atlanta (VH1) and from there on I put everything I had learned into TouchedBySuave Inc. I worked with clients on BET’s reality series “From the Bottom up” season 1 and 2, then moved over to American Idol Season 14, and also tapped into the athletic world working with the Atlanta falcons. I also interned in California, for the visual merchandise and marketing department for Yves Saint Laurent. After, all that l had a family emergency and I focused more so on being home, but I was fortunate and kept my cliental and was able to still travel as well as work on local project in the community and build the brand. I know that coming from my city that I didn’t want to be a statistic where my only options to be successful where sports or the streets, and I knew the brand God gave me would lead me to success. I’m grateful I have a solid core cliental of ceos, socialites, athletes, and just your everyday person that wants to feel good and look good, so much so we have incorporated fitness to the brand SUAVEFIT, where we train and work with the everyday person that wants to get plugged into fitness but needs a little bit of help. We have 1 on 1 training sessions, nutritional meal plans, and so much more in the works. Also, I’ve tapped back into my first love which is music JRSLIVEMUSIC we’re I’m a singer, songwriter, and vocal composer. I’ve been blessed to sing background for Fred Hammond, Bishop Hezekiah Walker, Bebe Winans just to name a few. So as you can see I’m a man of many talents, but I want to leave the readers with this, being a serial success entrepreneur takes true time management skills, organization, and a strong work ethic. Nothing in life is free, so put in the work and you will reap a bountiful harvest.

Have you ever had to pivot?

Yes, honestly during the pandemic. Like many other entrepreneurs, my styling brand took a hit, because big social gatherings were nonexistent, and tv productions were shutting down for almost a year. However, I was able to tap into health and wellness by adding fitness to my list of brands and was able to do virtual and outside workouts to help keep people body, spirit and immune systems strong during a tumultuous time in our nation.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

Honestly, my work speaks for itself. TouchedBySuave Inc. motto is “I produce looks!” I was known to be the fashion guy in my home town, never afraid to try or wear something different. Luckily, for me it was well received, and I would get inquiries on where I would get my clothing from and that was the ground work being laid for the brand unconsciously,. Same approach with SUAVEFIT, utilized my social media to promote my body transformation and then I started receiving messaging asking for help and how can I get in better physical shape. JRSLIVEMUSIC, I had been singing since I was 4, if there was solo, a recital, musical, anything music I was apart of it so vocally I was always blessed with opportunity to share my gift.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://touchedbysuave.bigcartel.com/
• Instagram: @TherealJrs @Touchedbysuave
• Facebook: James R. Stewart
• Twitter: @_Therealjrs
• Other: TikTok _Therealjrs

Image Credits
• Jerome Chestnut (Socphotography) •Raekia Osgood (SoGoodRaePhotography) •Presquevuphoto