Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Jozzi Rainey. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Jozzi, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Any thoughts about whether to ask friends and family to support your business. What’s okay in your view?

Of course we want support from the people that know and love us Personally but I don’t expect it not anymore. Many people can love what you do and others misunderstand it because it is out of their realm of exposure, especially family. A lot of the time they want the best for you and sometimes that just looks like what’s worked for them and their life. Your family can be your biggest hinderance if you allow their opinions to quiet your inner voice. Luckily, I’m not easily persuaded with my passions & creativity. I realized I needed to build an inner confidence and validation for myself I think I’ve had that mentality since childhood. Along with finding your real tribe to support you along your journey , who know and appreciate how amazing you are automatically without any biases although this takes time and sometimes trauma finding those vessels is necessary. Strangers will support you more than the people who know you. People pleasing your parents, family etc. thinking that’s how you get their approval will have you on your death bed wishing you would have listened to your heart, found your tribe and thrived. Which is what I will continue to do and will encourage everyone to do the same.

Jozzi, 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 a fashion stylist and crochet designer. I’ve been styling for about 9 years now and I started crocheting one year ago basically to incorporate into my styling I already knew it was going to be a big trend in 2021-22 so I got on YouTube and learned from there. I started building my styling portfolio in my hometown of Kansas City, Kansas then I eventually realized I needed to move to a bigger city so I moved to Atlanta in 2018. I’ve had alot of success working and styling celebrities like Karen civil, T-pain, Lakeyah, Jonathan McReynolds and few others plus creative directing my own shoots. I knew I would get these opportunities in a big city. I have prior experience in runway, print & music videos but I thrive in editorial & high fashion styling. As a stylist you have to be extremely resourceful and crafty. I incorporate a lot of handmade and using unconventional items to achieve any look I want no item is off limits I like to say. I don’t have a box when it comes to creating so people really like my out of ordinary thinking. I can create anything from any dollar or thrift store I do enjoy incorporating an element of sustainability in my styling. My imagination ran wild as a child & still does, my mom and I would often shop at thrift stores and I would watch what she picked out so I naturally have an great eye for detail and eccentricity that my clients really appreciate. I’m really most proud of my perseverance the things that have been said to me could make anyone give up but my tunnel vision hears no other voice but my own. I’m also proud of how I’m not afraid to be my unique and eccentric self, I often feel uncomfortable when conformity is trying to take over or make me create something that’s not true to me. I have a rule that all of my new projects have to be better than my last or it won’t be worth it. Down to the styling, creativity, photography, models everything has to be better than the last. It keeps me constantly growing in my gifts & validating myself to keep going, you’re really good, you got this.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

It sounds simple but saying no. Not agreeing to a project because you aren’t in a good space or it doesn’t align with your brand, personal reasons etc. Just say you are unable to take on this project. I’ve had a situation where I agreed to a project that I should have declined because I was going through so much mentally & financially. I now have a rule if it’s not an immediate yes it’s a definite no. I take more time to analyze a project is worth my time and if I have the capacity to do the job at my fullest capabilities and resources to take on the project.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

One day in my book I will go in to more detail about this. My resilience is something I don’t know if you can call it that. If your hearts still beating you have no other choice but to figure it out and keep going. Back to back to back extreme trauma’s I’ve experience throughout my career that not many people know about. I just knew I have people that I inspire and look up to me and a lot of the times that kept me going. Knowing I saw in me what they did and not letting that go to waste or in vain. Not having access to clothes but knowing how to make old clothes look new is apart of my gift and just figuring it out along the way. I wouldn’t let anything get in the way of expressing my creativity. If I didn’t have transportation I would figure it out stressed out of course but I did it. I always figured it out with my heart pounding afraid that I wouldn’t but I always did! My passion for what I do nothing or no one can stop me literally no one.

Contact Info:

• Website: Styledbyjozzi.com
• Instagram: @styledbyjozzi
• Facebook: Jozzi Rainey
• Other: Crochet page of Instagram: @crochetbyjozzi

Image Credits
Steven green Tavarus Saul Stephon Williams Chuck rare Spencer Sease