We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Jordan Smith a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Jordan, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?
I am a 6-foot-4 woman, having reached this impressive height since the age of 13. Embracing my height has not only become an integral part of my identity but has also profoundly shaped who I am today. Undeniably, it wasn’t always easy, especially during my younger years when being tall presented its challenges. I grappled with insecurities, feeling out of place and different from others due to ill-fitting clothes and a sense of not fitting society’s traditional view of femininity.
Navigating my journey into womanhood, I discovered that self-assurance and confidence could be empowered by wearing clothing that truly complemented my height. Sometimes, this meant having to get creative, either making my own clothes or seeking help from someone skilled in crafting garments that flattered my unique physique. The transformative power of wearing well-fitting and stylish clothing boosted my self-esteem, allowing me to radiate an undeniable sense of confidence.
This deep connection to fashion and the transformative impact it had on me has ignited an unshakable passion within me. Witnessing the positive influence it had not only on my life but also on other tall women around me, I became determined to share this experience with the world. For me, this endeavor is more than just a business; it’s a reflection of who I am.
Having personally endured years without suitable clothing options, I understand the frustrations and limitations that come with being a tall woman in search of stylish and well-fitting attire. This firsthand knowledge has positioned me as the ideal advocate and customer for my own business. As I embark on this venture, I am motivated by the vision of a future where tall girls, including my own daughters, can embrace their height confidently without any concerns about clothing choices.
Through my passion, empathy, and personal experience, I am dedicated to creating a space that celebrates the beauty and uniqueness of tall women, providing them with a wide array of fashion choices that empower and enhance their individuality. As I embark on this journey, I carry the aspirations of my younger self and the dreams of future generations, knowing that together, we can redefine societal standards and pave the way for a more inclusive and stylish future for all tall women.
Jordan, 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?
Hello, I’m Jordan Adams-Smith, a passionate entrepreneur and clothing enthusiast. Growing up as a 6-foot-4 woman, I faced unique challenges finding stylish, well-fitting clothing that embraced my height. This struggle inspired me to create a positive change for tall women like myself.
After my sports and coaching days ended, motherhood became my priority. While considering my next steps, I realized that returning to teaching with my Masters in Special Education wasn’t where my heart lay. Together with my husband, we ventured into a small business, which proved successful and boosted my confidence as an entrepreneur.
During this time, the idea of starting my own clothing brand beckoned, and I couldn’t ignore its allure. Despite facing roadblocks, the desire to create something special persisted. Then, fate intervened when I received an email from The Elevated Closet owners announcing their intention to sell the brand. Seeing it as destiny calling, I eagerly embraced the opportunity, even though I had no prior experience in the fashion industry.
With unwavering passion and commitment, I embarked on an exciting journey of elevating The Elevated Closet to new heights. Each step taught me invaluable lessons in business, creativity, and determination.
Now at the helm of The Elevated Closet, I’m steering it towards a future filled with innovation, inclusivity, and style. My drive to learn and grow enabled me to overcome challenges and embrace every aspect of running this brand. The support of our customers and the inspiring team around me have humbled and motivated me.
At The Elevated Closet, we cater specifically to tall women, offering a wide range of high-quality and stylish clothing, from everyday wear to formal attire. Our mission is to empower tall women, challenging the limitations of fashion and redefining standards of beauty and inclusivity.
As a tall woman myself, I deeply understand the struggles and aspirations of our customers. This personal connection drives our commitment to delivering top-notch clothing and exceptional customer service. Our designs are carefully crafted to flatter tall proportions, ensuring a comfortable and stylish fit.
The positive impact we’ve had on the lives of tall women who have struggled to find suitable clothing fills me with pride. Witnessing their newfound confidence while wearing our clothes fuels our mission to provide the best for our clients.
The Elevated Closet is not just a business; it’s a movement. We aim to challenge societal norms, promote body positivity, and encourage self-expression through fashion. Our dedication to quality, style, and inclusivity sets us apart, and we continuously innovate to meet the diverse needs of tall women worldwide.
Join us on this empowering journey of embracing height and celebrating individuality. Together, we create a world where tall women feel confident, beautiful, and fully represented in the world of fashion. Thank you for being a part of our community and supporting our mission to redefine tall fashion.
How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?
At The Elevated Closet, building a strong reputation within our market has been a journey fueled by dedication and passion.
Quality products/services have been at the core of our mission. We strive to consistently deliver high-quality clothing that not only meets but exceeds our customers’ expectations. To achieve this, we made significant upgrades to our manufacturers, and we couldn’t be happier with the exceptional quality we provide now.
Customer satisfaction and reviews have played a pivotal role in shaping our reputation. We value the feedback of our customers, and their positive experiences have been instrumental in spreading the word about our brand. Encouraging customers to share their thoughts and responding to their feedback, whether positive or negative, showcases our commitment to ensuring their satisfaction.
Maintaining brand consistency has been paramount to building trust and recognition. Across all touchpoints, from our online presence to our marketing materials and customer interactions, we strive to deliver a cohesive and authentic brand image.
Ethical business practices have been the bedrock of our operations. Conducting business with integrity, honesty, and transparency is a value we hold dear. This commitment to ethical behavior fosters trust among our customers, employees, and other stakeholders, forming the foundation of our reputation.
Exceptional customer service has been a driving force in our reputation-building efforts. We believe in going above and beyond to provide our customers with the best service possible. Being responsive, helpful, and attentive to their needs has cultivated long-lasting relationships and earned us positive referrals.
Throughout our journey, we have learned that building a reputation takes time, consistency, and a genuine commitment to delivering value to our customers. We are grateful for the support of our growing community, and their trust in us has significantly impacted our success and growth within the tall fashion market.
As the owner of The Elevated Closet, I am incredibly proud of the reputation we have built thus far. We will continue to push the boundaries of innovation, inclusivity, and style, ensuring that our brand remains a symbol of empowerment and inspiration for all tall women. Thank you for being a part of our journey, and we look forward to continuing to serve you with passion and excellence.
Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?
Building our audience on social media has been an exciting and transformative journey for The Elevated Closet. Leveraging influencers, affiliates, and specifically TikTok played a pivotal role in our remarkable growth.
When we started, we recognized the immense potential of social media in connecting with our target audience. We strategically collaborated with influencers whose values aligned with our brand and who had a substantial following of tall women and fashion enthusiasts. Their authentic promotion of our products introduced The Elevated Closet to a wider audience, and their positive reviews fostered trust in our brand.
Affiliate marketing is another powerful tool we utilize to expand our reach. By partnering with affiliates who share our passion for empowering tall women, we established a network of brand advocates who actively promote our products to their followers. This approach not only increased our audience but has also driven more sales and allowed us to reward our loyal affiliates for their efforts.
However, one platform that truly blew us up was TikTok. We recognized the potential of this rapidly growing social media platform, particularly among our target demographic of tall young and fashion-conscious individuals. We created engaging and relatable TikTok content that showcased our products, highlighted our mission, and celebrated tall women’s unique beauty. Our videos quickly gained traction, and the TikTok algorithm further boosted our visibility, leading to an explosion in our follower count and website traffic.
Advice for those starting to build a social media presence:
1. Know your audience: Understand your target audience and their preferences. Tailor your content to resonate with them and address their specific needs or interests.
2. Authenticity is key: Be authentic and genuine in your interactions with your audience. People appreciate honesty, and it helps build trust and loyalty.
3. Leverage influencers and affiliates: Collaborate with influencers and affiliates whose values align with your brand. Their endorsement and promotion can significantly increase your reach and credibility.
4. Embrace visual content: Social media thrives on visual content. Invest in high-quality images and videos that showcase your products or services in the best light.
5. Stay consistent: Consistency is crucial for building a loyal audience. Regularly post content and engage with your followers to keep them interested and connected.
6. Engage with your audience: Respond to comments, messages, and mentions. Engaging with your audience shows that you value their input and fosters a sense of community around your brand.
7. Utilize trending platforms: Keep an eye on emerging social media platforms and trends. Jumping on relevant trends can expose your brand to new audiences.
8. Analyze and adapt: Use analytics to track the performance of your content. Analyze what works and what doesn’t, and be willing to adapt your strategy accordingly.
Building a social media presence takes time and effort, but with the right approach and dedication, it can be a powerful tool for growing your brand and connecting with your audience. Remember to be authentic, value your followers, and embrace the opportunities that social media platforms offer.
Contact Info:
- Website: ElevatedCloset.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elevatedcloset/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elevatedcloset
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/the-elevated-closet-51b53b261/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7rhSa9H_2GFBggNng1M_Tg
- TikTok: @ElevatedCloset
Image Credits
Nick Austin & Julia Crist