We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Lakya Garrison a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Alright, Lakya thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.

For me, style wasn’t just about clothing—it was about clarity. I began my journey in the retail fashion world, working with brands like Casual Corner and August Max Woman. I quickly saw how what we wear speaks volumes about who we are and how we show up. Helping women select outfits that aligned with their personal and professional power became more than a job—it was ministry before I had language for it.

From there, my path expanded. I transitioned into the print industry, with roles at the Oakland Press and the Chicago Tribune, where I learned the art of messaging and presentation. Then came a sacred pivot: marriage to a brilliant, eloquent Baptist minister. That union introduced me to ministry at a deeper level, where I not only learned the love of God but also how to walk in His image—and guide others in doing the same.

During that season, Faith Driven Magazine was born. It was a purposeful platform that amplified stories of faith, leadership, fashion, and entertainment—a precursor to the brand I lead today. And while building that, I entered the workforce management sector, gaining firsthand experience in how to carry projects from vision to completion. It taught me process, precision, and patience.

Then tragedy came. A personal storm. One that derailed much of what I thought was permanent. But I’ve since learned: a detour is not a dismissal. Instead, it was a divine redirection. That moment birthed my first book, Manipulover: The Afflictions of the Righteous, the story of a woman who strayed but rose again through the power of God—becoming the heroine of her own healing.

Not long after, the fashion industry called me again—this time in front of the camera. I stepped into modeling under the name Model LaKya, and became a runway model, brand ambassador, and style captain with brands like Lane Bryant and The International Fuller Woman. I stood boldly for body positivity, faith-centered beauty, and style that honors every curve and calling.

In 2022, I became a certified Image Consultant. And in 2023, Keyola launched. A brand born from every lesson, every pivot, and every platform God gave me. Keyola means “The Life”—and that’s exactly what we offer: a pathway for women to become and remain the best version of themselves, unapologetically. It’s where fashion meets faith, and strategy meets soul.

This endeavor works because it’s more than business—it’s legacy. It reflects the fullness of who I am: resilient, regal, and rooted in God. And every service, every post, every piece in the collection is designed to help women live a more vibrant, God-centered, faith-driven life. This is my calling. And I’m grateful it began with something as simple and sacred as helping women look—and feel—like who they truly are.

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 LaKya M. Garrison—fashioned by faith, refined by resilience, and called to create spaces where women can live boldly in style and spirit.

My journey began in the retail fashion industry. Brands like Casual Corner and August Max Woman introduced me to the sacred art of helping women find clothing that reflected who they were and who they were becoming. I wasn’t just dressing clients—I was helping them shape identity, confidence, and presence.

From there, I transitioned into the print industry, working with renowned outlets like the Oakland Press and Chicago Tribune. That season taught me the power of messaging, timing, and presentation—all skills that now live in my consulting and content strategy work.

But my path shifted profoundly when I married a brilliant, eloquent Baptist minister. Through that union, I entered ministry, learning how to walk in God’s love and image while helping others develop a personal relationship with Him. That season birthed Faith Driven Magazine, a platform that amplified Christian voices through faith, fashion, and entertainment.

Later, I entered the workforce management industry, where I learned how to build systems, lead teams, and bring projects to completion with precision and professionalism.

Then life delivered a deep wound—a personal tragedy that would have silenced a lesser voice. But I discovered that detours don’t mean dismissal. In fact, that detour inspired my book Manipulover: The Afflictions of the Righteous, the story of a woman derailed by distraction but redeemed through God’s love—a heroine reborn.

My name soon echoed in the modeling world as Model LaKya. I became a plus-size runway model, fashion captain for Lane Bryant, and a brand ambassador for emerging designers in Detroit, Chicago, New York, and beyond. My mission was clear: to stand unapologetically as a regal, radiant woman of faith and fashion.

In 2022, I became a certified Image Consultant. In 2023, Keyola was born.

Keyola, meaning The Life, is more than a brand—it’s a calling. It brings together fashion, faith, and consulting to help women become and remain the best version of themselves. Our offerings include:

Keyola Collection: Fashion-forward pieces that honor style, confidence, and calling.

Keyola Consultants: Personal and brand empowerment services, including image consulting, personal shopping, strategic coaching, and social engagement guidance and table/dining etiquette.

Creative Works: Blogs, devotional essays, faith-led storytelling, and speaking engagements that center truth, healing, and legacy.

What sets Keyola apart is our holistic approach. We don’t just style outfits—we style outcomes. We don’t just offer coaching—we offer clarity. We’re not here to sell—we’re here to serve.

I am most proud of the lives transformed when women feel seen—when they stop apologizing for their anointing, aesthetics, or ambition. I walk with them through the tension of presenting themselves well while living the life in the look they love.

To readers, potential clients, and future collaborators, here’s what I want you to know:

I am a woman of God who leads with elegance, empathy, and excellence. My work isn’t just polished—it’s purposeful. And Keyola isn’t just a brand—it’s a movement. One designed to help you reclaim your narrative, refresh your image, and reintroduce yourself to the world—with confidence and clarity.

We provided one on one consulting in person or via online. We start with an image consultation that guides us in helping with our clients customized sessions—including wardrobe curation, etiquette coaching, and personal development etc. Whether you’re redefining yourself post-divorce, launching your professional journey, or stepping into a new social spotlight—we meet you where you are and elevate you from the inside out.

How’d you think through whether to sell directly on your own site or through a platform like Amazon, Etsy, Cratejoy, etc.

When it came time to decide where Keyola Consultants and the Keyola Collection would live online, I chose to build out my own ecommerce space. That decision was intentional—it reflects the autonomy, authenticity, and aesthetic control that my brand deserves.

Why I sell on my own site:
Creative Freedom: I wanted full control over how the brand is visually and spiritually represented—from the product photography to the page layout to the affirmations embedded in the captions.

Customer Experience: Keyola clients aren’t just shoppers—they’re women on a journey. Having my own site lets me curate a space that speaks their language, honors their faith, and reflects their purpose.

Legacy Building: Platforms like Amazon or Etsy are powerful, but they don’t always allow space to build a mission-driven brand identity. Keyola is more than a store—it’s a movement. And movements need room to breathe.

Pros and Cons of Selling Independently:

Pros:
Brand Control—every image and message speaks my truth
Direct Customer Relationship
Greater Profit Margin
Ability to integrate faith-driven content seamlessly

Cons:
Requires more time and tech-savvy management
Smaller built-in audience than major platforms
Marketing and visibility all fall on me
Setup and maintenance can be labor and resource-intensive

I initially started with platforms like Amazon and Etsy who offer exposure, but for Keyola—where ministry meets fashion—selling directly was the better choice. It allows me to preserve the integrity of what I’m offering: not just products, but purpose.

Okay – so how did you figure out the manufacturing part? Did you have prior experience?

When I began curating pieces for Keyola Collection, I knew I wasn’t just creating style—I was crafting identity. But I also knew I wasn’t interested in mass production or chasing trends. I wanted pieces that spoke to the everyday elegance and depth of the women and men I serve. That meant stepping into the world of manufacturing with purpose and patience.

I didn’t start with a full factory or warehouse—I started with discernment. I leaned into my experiences from retail and modeling, pairing them with research and prayer. I studied fabrics, supply chains, and ethical sourcing. I connected with smaller vendors and emerging designers and suppliers whose values aligned with mine. No shortcuts—just clear conversations about quality, turnaround time, and whether their work could accommodate my vision.

It took trial and error. One vendor lacked consistency, another didn’t understand the need for modesty and statement to coexist. But over time, I found strategic partners who understood that Keyola Collection isn’t just about selling clothes—it’s about helping women show up fully. Regal. Ready. Redeemed.

Some of the biggest lessons I’ve learned:

Manufacturing is spiritual. You have to trust your gut, ask bold questions, and walk away when something doesn’t align—even if the price is right.

Start small, but think big. I didn’t launch with a massive inventory. I started with pieces I believed in, styled a couple with intention, and let the message do the marketing.

Communication is everything. Whether it’s choosing a fabric or setting production timelines, clarity is king. And documentation protects your dream.

In time, every piece in Keyola Collection will carry that backstory—the trials, the triumphs, and the trust it took to build something with integrity. These garments aren’t just manufactured—they’re ministered.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.Keyolaconsultants.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/keyola_consultants/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keyolaconsultants/
• Twitter: https://x.com/Keyola_Image
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@keyolaconsultants