We recently connected with Jennifer Cole and have shared our conversation below.

Jennifer , appreciate you joining us today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – walk us through the story?

From Mississippi to Manhattan

I grew up in a small town in Mississippi (Prentiss MS). My father, Mitchell White, and mother, Francis Price white, struggled to take care of 7 children. I was the 3rd out of 7 kids. We didn’t have much, but it was my upbringings that made me who I am today. We were taught love, respect and to believe in God. My now deceased mother took us to church every Sunday and made sure we were close to the people in our community. It wasn’t about what we had materialistically, but what we had spiritually and internally. It was a community (Mt Zion Community) of respectful and Godly people that instilled values in us.

Growing up, my dad always worked in factories for a living while my mother sewed for the public. I learned to sew from watching my mom. At the age of 12 I could sew anything I wanted. My dream as a little girl was always NY and becoming a designer, never knowing how I would accomplish that because my mom and dad couldn’t afford to send me to college in NY raising 7 kids. I would fantasize about designing and was always watching every award show or red-carpet event on television. I would say to myself, I could have made something better than what they were wearing. I would watch TV on New Years Eve every year to see NY drop that ball and say to myself, one day I’m going to be there in Time Square to see this!
Growing up poor in MS, I never told anyone my dreams in fear that they would say I was crazy to think I would ever make it to NYC and become a designer.

Well, my dad always taught me to be strong and stand up for what I believed in. He taught me to never let anyone think they are more important or better than me, no matter who they were or what they had. He was a fighter for justice and civil rights. He was the president of the NAACP in Jeff Davis County for many years. As a young girl I watched him and other civil rights leaders that he was around as they fought for justice. I would go to a lot of their events and meetings with him, met a lot of influential people who later played a big part in my adult life as mentors or people I looked up to.

After graduating high school, I went on to school at Alcorn State University, thanks to my deceased grandmother Willie Mae White. I was always close to her and she made sure I was going on to college. There were no design schools in MS, nor any schools that had design classes, so I took up Fashion Merchandising for 2 years. After that I moved to Jackson MS where I resided for 23 years.

Tragedy strikes during my first year in Jackson. In 1989 my father was murdered in Vicksburg MS while there working at a papermill to provide for his family. He was robbed and brutally beaten to death. He was hit from behind and beaten to the head with a two by four with nails in it, then left for dead behind a store. We were contacted the next day, and I went to that hospital looking to find him talking with maybe a few scratches or whatever. Instead, I walked in to find his head all bandaged up and swollen bigger than a basketball, and he was brain dead. I was only 20 at the time and this traumatized me for years and made me turn away from God because I didn’t understand how someone could be so evil to do this. I was mad at God for a few years. The guy was caught a few days later, he was sentenced to 2 life sentences in prison. He was released from prison in 2020.

This left my mom to raise 4 sons by herself. My one sister was already married, my oldest brother was working, and I was on my own in Jackson, but I had 4 brothers that were still in school and at home with my mother. My mother never remarried and put her focus only on God and the family. This is where I felt I had to be strong and help my mom all I could. 31 years after the passing of my dad she never re-married nor had another man. My mother passed May 24th, 2021.

All this made me a stronger person, my survival mode and faith kicked in. My mindset was there is something bigger out here and to do better in life than the way I grew up. I’ve always been a dreamer and now I realize those dreams were God showing me his purpose for my life. I’ve never followed what other people were doing, nor did I want to be like anyone else. I was different, I always had my own little world stuck in my head. I was a serious thinker and was always thinking of bigger things because of the way I grew up and the way I was treated in my childhood. People always looked down on us because we were poor. My mindset was to prove them all wrong. My mom would always say to people, “I can’t tell her anything because if she gets a thought in her head, she is going to try it no matter what I say or anyone else says”! I was always creative, energetic, and outgoing.

I later had 2 sons of my own whom I raised by myself, their fathers never played a part in their lives. This made me even stronger! I worked several jobs in Jackson, but then in 1997 I started my own alteration business from home doing alterations for Martin Cleaners, who had 5 locations at the time. In 2000, I outgrew my home business and moved into a commercial office next to one of the cleaners. I then expanded every February for 3 years straight and started doing bridal. I opened the 1st Black Bridal Salon in the state of Mississippi and ran it for 14 years. I was hosting fashion shows and bridal shows all over MS, Louisiana, and Memphis TN. I had a talk show on TV with Comcast PEG Network and was in the studio twice a week. I took classes and was certified as a producer.

I learned everything there was to learn about the Fashion & Bridal Industry. It was a struggle running a black female business and raising 2 sons all those years. My sons were both in sports and wanted to be in everything in school. One played football, the other basketball and I had to be there for every game along with running my business. I raised my sons up in the church just like I was raised. If it weren’t for my upbringings with both my dad and mom, there is no way I could have raised 2 sons by myself. Both sons have 2 college degrees, both are coaches & personal trainers, one basketball, on football. I instilled in them the same traits my parents instilled in me. My mother was an entrepreneur, I am an entrepreneur, and they are entrepreneurs. I taught them to put God first, work hard, stand for what you believe in, never look down on anyone, and never let anyone think they are better than you no matter who they are.

Now here is the big RISK!
After both my sons were in college, I decided I didn’t want the business in MS anymore. I outgrew MS and knew what my worth was. I was tired of begging people in MS to pay a descent fee for what I do. Still a dreamer, lol! NYC popped back into my head. I prayed about it and decided to take off and go fulfil my dreams! I told my mother what I was thinking, and she said “GO”! So, I told my sons all 3 of us would be in school for 2 years then they could come to NY. I planned for a whole year and gave up everything I owned in MS, cars, house, business of 14 years. People thought I was crazy because I had it made in MS, but I didn’t feel my life was fulfilled. There was more to my life, and I wouldn’t settle just like my dad taught me.

Now when I made this decision, I had never been to NY before, didn’t know anyone in NY, nor had I ever flown on a plane before until the day I moved to NY. I contacted The Art Institute of NYC to enroll in school for Fashion Designing. I spoke on the phone with Rita Begala in registration for a whole year, preparing for my big move. In the process of preparing, getting rid of everything I owned, and getting my sons settled, I didn’t have time nor the money to go and find an apartment in NY before moving. I didn’t let that stop me! The end of Nov 2010 I called Rita and told her to arrange for me to be in the dorms with kids my son’s age! She said “WHAT, are you sure?” I told her yes, because I felt like that was the safest place for me until I learn my way around. So, she arranged for me to be in a building where they housed their teachers. Later I still ended up being in the dorms.

By the time I finished getting rid of everything I owned and getting my sons settled with what they needed so they wouldn’t have to ask anyone for anything, I only had $3000 left to my name! I wanted to change my mind because that’s no money for NYC. I prayed and prayed, but the Lord said no, you’re going! Every time I thought about changing my mind during this process, the Lord would allow something to happen to push me to not change my mind. I trusted his plan for my life!

Nobody believed I was actually going to leave for NY until I put a sign on my business door that said, “Last Day Opening Dec 1st 2010”. My flight was booked, and I was leaving Dec 28th, 2010. I started hearing all kind of negative talk, but I blocked it out of my head. I did a going away party that month and said my goodbyes. I was determined to be in NY for New Years Eve 2010 to watch that ball drop in Time Square. The week of Dec 28th, there were 2 blizzards back-to-back in NY and all flights were canceled going to NY. I went to the airport on the 28th and told them they have to get me to NY, and I refused to be in MS for the New Year! I wanted to bring in the New Year in NYC. They laughed at me, but I told them no I was dead serious! They were able to get me a flight out on Dec 30th. I had already shipped everything I needed so it would be delivered on Dec 31st.

On Dec 30th, 2010 my sons and Joe, one of their best friends who was just like my son, took me to the airport, and we said our goodbyes. They were very strong and didn’t cry until I left, lol. They told me years later the 3 of them all broke down in the car headed home, lol. They had never been away from me in their life. But I got on that plane and never looked back! When I landed in NY all I could say was “I made it, thank you Lord”! There was so much snow you couldn’t see the cars, but I was so happy! I had the driver to take me to pick up my keys for the apartment, then to the apartment to put my bags down, then to The Art Institute. School was out for the holidays, but Rita had everyone in registration waiting on me like a welcoming party! So many people she’d talked about me to, I was so shocked. It was amazing!

12 years later and I was still in NY. I went to school at AINY, started my own Fashion Brand, “JennCole Designs” 2015, launched my first Bridal Collection in 2017, incorporated the business in 2019, Founded the “JennCole Design School” in Ghana 2020, worked for Ralph Lauren who has always been my favorite designer, traveled in and out of the country from 2012-2020 doing Custom Tailoring for one of the top Uniform Companies in the US (Top Hat Imagewear), JennCole Designs has been in The Knot NY 6 times 2019-2021, was awarded The Knot Best of Weddings NY in 2020, Featured with IAW (International Association of Women) 2019, Awarded an IAW Influencer for 2019-2020. Many more awards received. You can check out our Media Page on our website. www.jenncole.design

Taking the risk to move from MS to NYC changed my whole life around and made my life better than ever! I’m not going to say there weren’t struggles because there were many, but I stood strong and fulfilled my dream of NY and becoming a Fashion Designer. I believe “Things in Life happen for you, not to you”. The struggles and failures we encounter only equip us to handle the bigger blessings in life. That one trip to NYC took me all over the world and I don’t regret one minute of it. Never let anyone tell you what you can’t do! I’m known worldwide!

Years later my mom told me she cried when I left for NY. I said what do you mean you cried, you told me to me to GO! She said, “I told you to go because I knew if it was in your mind you were going to go no matter what anyone said”. She asked me was I scared? I told her I only had one fear when I left for NY and that fear was because I didn’t know anyone in NY, I would go to NY and something would happen to me like it did to my dad when he was out of town working. My dad was only 49 when he was murdered and my fear was me not making it to 49 years old. I was 43 when I moved to NY, and I was very careful and alert about everything and everyone I dealt with in NY because of my fear of something happening to me like my dad. I had a fear of not living until I was 49. I knew my mom would loose her mind if that happened and I couldn’t imagine my sons going through what I did when my dad was murdered. That stayed in the back of my head until I turned 49 and all I could say was thank you Lord I made it, and that fear went away. I never told anyone I had that fear until after I turned 49.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I am Designer Jenn Cole, I have been in the Bridal and Fashion Industry for 26 years now, from Mississippi, to Manhattan, and now Dallas TX. I opened and operated the first black Bridal Salon in my home state of Mississippi for 14 years. I have been sewing since the age of 12, my whole life has been nothing but fashion and making clients look their best for any event. I have traveled the world extensively designing, tailoring, and measuring clients.

I specialize in custom wedding gowns and formal gowns, Custom Tailoring (Male/Female), Bridal Alterations for the whole wedding party, Regular Alterations (Male/Female), and custom mother-of-the-bride/groom gowns.
We’ve just added new services:
Personal Styling, wedding party travel, destination weddings, and honeymoon travel packages.

Working one on one with an actual designer is a plus. You don’t have to settle for off the rack gowns for your special event, whether it’s a wedding, an award show, a night out on the town, or any celebration.

What sets me apart from your traditional Bridal Salon is I work closely with my clients to get to know them, what they like, and what their vision is for their special day or event. I allow my clients to express themselves, who they are, and help them bring out their innermost creativity to create and design a bespoke piece that reflects who they are as a person. A gown that represents them. A gown that’s designed and fit just for them. A gown that’s tailored and fit to their body type no matter what size or shape they may be. I work with my clients and consult with them with the truth about what looks best on them, what colors, what styles, and what fabrics are best for them.

I am most proud of my ability to create Bespoke pieces and my on-point measuring system which eliminates alterations. I have designed gowns for customers I never met and it’s always a perfect fit. Check out some of our reviews. www.jenncole.design

My love for designing and the  fashion industry is what makes me good at what I do. It’s not a job to me, it’s my passion, my gift, my whole life. I believe everyone should look and feel their best even if they’re just going to work. I believe in perfection in everything I do. If I won’t wear it, I don’t want you to wear it. I put my heart and soul into every detail of designing. I believe that designing is an art of the mind to create pieces that people will actually wear.

Please check out our new website, just launched it on Labor Day! www.jenncole.design
Browse our collections, see the inspiration behind them, check out our added services, and learn more about the life and founding story of Designer Jenn Cole.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

2021 was one of the worst years of my life. January 2021, I was preparing to go back to Ghana for March to work on JennCole Design School. My mom became a little sick close to the end of January but was nothing serious. In February we thought she was ok. Well, I had started packing for Africa in February. For some reason every time I brought up Africa to her she would say I don’t think you need to go to Africa right now. She said this about 3 times in February, so I ended up not going and decided to surprise her instead by going home. I always listen to her because we were so close in everything I did. I was in NY, and I boked my flight without telling anyone, just wanted to surprise her like I do sometimes. I booked my flight 2 weeks out, and after the first week she ended up sick again and going to the ER. So, I went ahead and told my brothers I would be home the following week.

Once I was home, she became sicker and sicker. I ended up not going back to NY because I refused to leave her while she was sick like this. She never got better, had 2 strokes during the first few months I was there along with kidney failure. She passed May 24^th, 2021 and I ended up being off work and putting my whole life on hold to be there for her, plus the grieving was unbearable. I went back to NY the end of Aug but didn’t want to be there anymore. I couldn’t deal with the grief alone, I really gave up and didn’t want to design, sew or anything else. After 2 weeks back in NY, I paid movers over $6000 to pack up all my things and take them all the way to MS and put them in a storage until I could figure out what I wanted to do or where I wanted to be.

I thought maybe I would open a Bridal Salon in MS, but that didn’t work. After a few months, I started to hate MS because there was not enough going on, nothing positive there, around too much negativity, same mindset they had when I left in 2010 and moved to NY. My whole character changed from who I was as a business owner. Worse year of my life, I had to change my mindset real fast.

February 2022, my oldest son who lives in Dallas had a bad car accident. I had to come to Dallas to take care of him. After 2 weeks, I told him I was not going back. I saw the potential in Dallas and decided to find me an apartment, find me some office space and start my business here. I did the grand opening for JennCole Designs Bridal Salon August 18th 2022, located in Carrollton TX.

Life can throw you a curve ball that will knock you off your feet! I was an emotional wreck behind losing my mom because that’s the only person who understood me, the only person I talk to on a daily basis no matter what part of the world I was in. We shared the same gift of sewing, I just took it to another level. My life was a reflection of her life and what she always wanted to do but couldn’t because she couldn’t afford it with 7 children. I felt like I didn’t want to go on without her. I couldn’t even travel anymore without crying on the plane because I was so used to being on the phone with her when I was getting on the plane and getting off the plane. My best friend, my mother, my everything was gone. She always said I was the strongest, but my life was turned upside down without her.

I realized that when I put my things in storage, I basically put my life in storage. I gave up and no one knew it because I was holding everything inside. I had nothing to motivate me and no one to talk to about how I was feeling. Spending time and being around my brothers made it better and a little easier, but I think I needed counseling or spiritual inspiration to get through it. I was broken and never in my life felt that helpless. MS definitely didn’t motivate me nor help. I had to get away from there or I would have failed. I thank God, he pulled me out of there and didn’t let me fall. Soon as I got to Dallas my whole mindset changed. I got back in the church and around a spiritual community at One Community Church in Plano TX (One Community Church | A Church Where No One Walks Alone (visitonecc.com)) and this is what began my healing process even though I never told anyone in the church what I was going through. I started to get better but many days I sat in the middle of the floor while setting up my new office by myself and cried and cried in need to just talk to my mother and tell her what I was doing. I’ve never discussed what I was doing in detail with anyone in my life except her. My sons didn’t even know how close I was to giving up, I never talked to anyone. God carried me through this when I had no strength left to do anything. Just being in the presence of other Christians at OCC and listening to Pastor Conway made the difference and got me back on track. I fought hard to get back to my life and faith.

Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?

I’m that person with the big heart. Always giving to help others, always wanting to see everyone around me succeeding. Always sowing seeds to those in need. Always supporting my friends’ businesses, whether with sending them customers or straight giving them money to help.

The one thing I had to unlearn is sowing seeds to people that mean me no good, selfish people, jealous people, people with their own agenda.
People will hang around you because they see you are doing great things. They will smile in your face and wish for your downfall at the same time. The jealousy people carry is unbelievable. My circle is very small. Being in business is a lonesome journey. The higher you go up the more people you will see fall off because they weren’t for you in the first place, they were just out for what you could do for them. When you run into trouble they’re gone before you
can even think about them helping you.

In the last 2 years God has shown me so many people that I have sown into for years, just turn their backs and disappear when I needed someone to be there for me after my mom passed. And I’m not talking about money, I’m talking about just being there for me to talk when I was grieving, just being there to make sure I was good mentally.
God put me in a lot of rough situations since I relocated to Dallas and opened the business. And he did it for me, not to me. He did it to sit me down and really show me people and show me direction. He put me in situations and made me experience things to make me stronger for my next level. He removed people that were not meant to go any further with me! It’s been rough being in a new place, but I was prepared for the long-haul. It’s total strangers that have been here for me showing me love. He put me in these situations so I would see people for who they really are, so I would cut all these people out of my life and stop sowing seeds in the lives of people who are not for me or who don’t see my vision. God put me in these situations just to show me this, because he definitely never let me go without anything in the process, lol.

I will gladly suffer the loneliness and be at peace with myself. Like the song says, if I can make it in NY I can make it ANYWHERE!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.jenncole.design
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jenncole_designs/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100050437271771
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-cole-67b84429/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@jenncoledesignsinc/about
• JennCole Design School Inc. www.jenncoledesignschool.com

Image Credits

MLayne Photography-MLayne (@mlaynephotography) • Instagram photos and videos

Jaidi Productions-Jaidiver Jaramillo (@jaidiproductions_1717) • Instagram photos and videos