We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Kelly Cunningham. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Kelly below.

Kelly, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Coming up with the idea is so exciting, but then comes the hard part – executing. Too often the media ignores the execution part and goes from idea to success, skipping over the nitty, gritty details of executing in the early days. We think that’s a disservice both to the entrepreneurs who built something amazing as well as the public who isn’t getting a realistic picture of what it takes to succeed. So, we’d really appreciate if you could open up about your execution story – how did you go from idea to execution?

So I had the idea for years and then decided to jump out on faith. The first step was mapping it out on paper. What boils this business look like, how would it be sustained, etc? The next couple of months I joined a business boot camp “Dream Launch” that gave us all of the tools to map out a business plan. We heard from present business owners, accountants, our city treasurer, payroll, Human Resources, banks etc. That jump started me into putting it all into motion. From their I needed to find a location, props, camera equipment; anything that would be needed for a photography studio. A lot of hours was put into the target market research and data analysis to determine cost for services. Location was found but definitely needed some love and tender care. Definitely glad i had a great support system that pitched in with a paint brush. After finding the location, everything else was step by step, receiving a city business license, fire occupancy, wifi, goggle etc . We gad approximately 8 months to launch and it was achieved in 6!

Kelly, 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 am what you call a “model auntie “ lol. I started out as a model at the age of 18 in Norfolk Va 2005. within my time in Norfolk, I was able to meet a lot of influential people that steered my modeling career. Those people were very influential because I still know them to this day. I was fortunate to travel to different cities and compete as a model. Fashion is in my blood. My grandmother and great aunt was a prominent seamstress for our area. My aunt is a fashionista with all of her clothes being tailored made; I just chose a different direction. At the present time I am the owner of The Fashion Haus , which is a model development firm. We pride ourselves on giving individuals the correct tools and information for them to succeed in the fashion world. Our network consists of models, fashion designers, photographers, graphic designers,etc. I also am the ED of an arts non profit organization The Haus of Fashion Inc that produces Danville Fashion Week

Have you ever had to pivot?

We all know what you map out can change in a twinkling of an eye! My initial business was a photography studio that creatives could rent out hourly. What I did not know was how heavily I would need to be present. A traumatic event happened to me and my significant other in our personal life and afterward it had me on edge at the least, i couldn’t work properly, mind was paranoid and I knew changes had to be made within the business. I didn’t want to lose the business I just needed to change the direction

We’d love to hear the story of how you built up your social media audience?

Be consistent! I have a graphic designer on my team who taught me a lot. Even though she is in the team I create the graphics and decide when to post them. Social media is the way of marketing so I took an online social media class to learn insights and data. Funny thing is, yes # (hashtags) still work and your timing. Decide what your brand identity is and be consistent. Your work will speak for itself

Contact Info:

• Website: www.thefashionhaus.net
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/_thehaus_