We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Jasmine Kelley. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Jasmine below.
Alright, Jasmine thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – walk us through the story?
When I created 2:22 Fashion RX it was one of the biggest risk I ever took. I had been managing retail stores for over 12 years and always wanted something of my own, but was always afraid of the behind the scenes aspects of business such as operations, marketing, finances, etc. I knew from seeing what I had did for other big companies the power and ability I had for selling product as well as training and developing teams, but did not know how successful I would be pushing my own brand. I decided to take a risk in 2018 and I have not looked back since. So many different door have opened for me since I took the risk. I have been able to connect with my community by hosting business expos, become a children’s book author about entrepreneurship, mentored business owners, as well as spoke at several events. The only thing that was holding me back from the success and the potential I have reached was myself. A scripture I have learned to live by is Matthew 17:20 “Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain “Move from here to there, ‘ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” Find your passion, take the risk, and trust the process. All it takes is a mustard seed of faith.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I am from Birmingham, AL. and a graduate of Alabama State University. I have always had a passion for fashion from a very young age. My mother tells a story often how at the age of 5 I was determine to dress and style myself. When I first entered the work force I never thought I would be a business owner, but I had worked retail since the age of 16 and over the course of years I had grown a passion for not only fashion but people as well. I took that passion and created my own women’s fashion boutique named 2:22 Fashion RX. 2:22 Fashion RX offers the latest women fashion trends from clothes, shoes, and accessories. I named my business 2:22 Fashion RX because I like to refer to it as a fashion pharmacy. Clothing can be like medicine and new items added to a person wardrobe can boost self esteem, build confidence, and in some cases when someone is depressed it can make them feel a little better. Outside of my customers my favorite aspect of the business is marketing, I am constantly thinking of ways to create and grow the business. I have learned consistency and thinking outside of the box is key. You have to learn to create your own trend verses following trends. My business is based 100% online, but I also wanted to start getting into the community and personally meeting my customers and creating a in-person shopping experience for them. In order to do this I started hosting annual business expos in the city of Birmingham, AL. with the Annual Cream of Crop Business Expo being the most popular one. This allowed not only my business, but also other business owners in the community to showcase their business as well as network with other link minded individuals. I’ve also always enjoyed writing. I am a firm believer that anything you want to see come to life write it down first. I remember when I was going through my finding myself journey, it was hard to find what I truly wanted to connect to because when I was growing up it was rare in school where we read books about business owners, fashion stylists, etc. We mainly focused on doctors, lawyers, teachers, scientist, etc. I wanted a way for little girls like me to have something to connect with and that is how I ended up writing the book A Fashion Boutique That Came To Be. It was my first published book from there I started a series of children books on different career paths that youth can read about outside of the norm.
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
A lesson I had to unlearn was in the world of business you have to learn not to take things personal. You also have to find your tribe, which will be your target audience. These individuals will love your brand just as much as you do. I had to unlearn as much as you love your family and friends they are not your target audience and you cannot take that personal. You also cannot take receiving no’s in the business world personal. Business is business and it is important to learn that early on.
Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?
I think consistency helped build my reputation in my market, but also me being willing to take risk and connect with my community. You have to get people bought into you and what you stand for. You have to gain your customers trust and build a rapport with them, but it also doesn’t stop at one transaction you have to consistent with visibility, networking, and communication.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.222fashionrx.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/222fashionrx
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/222fashionrx
- Other: https://www.amazon.com/dp/057837692X/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_4Q1SW4W6ANAA4RD472K5
Image Credits
Chris Jarrod. Fred Davenport.