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

LaMiranda, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. How did you come up with the idea for your business?

The story of our brand started with me jumping back on the bandwagon of sewing inspired by my mom while my husband cheered me on. A few years after my husband and I had our final child, I knew I was ready to get back into working towards whatever goals/dreams I had set for myself. Knowingly I wanted to own my own business but did not know where God would lead me.

Being married, having 3 toddler children, working a full time job as well as being an active musician/singer in my church, I did not have much time on my hands to get out of the house. I would call my mom just about everyday and tell her how I need something to do. I would complain to her about how nothing in the stores fit the way I need led it to and everything was either too short or too tight. After having 3 children, at the time, I absolutely hated my shape. She asked’ “Miranda? Why don’t you get back into sewing? You used to design all the time back in high school!” I thought to myself ,”Oh no! Never would I pick that back up!” But figured, “Hey! What do I have to lose?”

It was about 2 weeks later, my husband would surprise me with a sewing machine to start sewing and designing for my children, husband and myself. The first design coming back to the sewing scene was a long summer skirt. I picked my fabric and all other materials I needed to begin sewing. After I finished the project, I held it up and thought, “ This is probably the ugliest thing I have ever made in my entire life lol!” I sent my mom a picture in shame, as my mother is a top notch seamstress herself. My mom reminded me of all the projects we worked on together years ago! Fun candy pouches, hair scrunches, doll clothes and my very own school backpack that I carried until the straps fell off! But I loved so much and was so proud that I would sew the straps right back on. My mom reminded me to not give up! For that was the first project getting back into sewing. I was determined to keep pushing!

Months later, I told my mom I would love to have my very first fashion show for our community! My sewing projects had become better and better with the practice, patience and passion I had behind it. My family was 100% behind the idea I had for our upcoming brand! But we needed a name. My husband Steffen Gordon and myself decided to name the clothing line after our 2 daughters Skylar ILeana and Riley Symone’ Gordon. ILeana Symone Co. We fell in love with the name and knew that it would be the best decision would would have made for our brand.

Since then, we have designed for hundreds and thousands of clients! Whether it’s prom, weddings, birthdays, basic custom tshirts to extravagant face mask, we continue to strive to assist our clients anyway that we can with consistency, excellence and style!

Years ago while in high school, I knew wanted to be a graphic designer for Disney but obviously that was not the path God had for me. I mastered every art class that was required of me! My art teacher,Cari Casper, had Inspired me to push the gift that God had given me through art and design.If it were not for my phenomenal art teacher, mother, husband, family and last but not least God I would not be who I am today!

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Our brand specializes in Wedding Gowns/bridesmaids dresses, Prom gowns and all other special occasions items. We also specialize is custom street wear pieces! Blazers and jackets are our bestsellers!

What allows us to stand out from the rest are our unique custom pieces. Our clients and potential clients admire the one of a kind pieces that only our brand can deliver for them! We will only make one of that piece. No only will EVER have the exact same piece from our brand. We strive to stay unique and keep it classy for our clients! Make and female

How did you build your audience on social media?

Social Media is one of the BEST ways to get the word out on your brand/business! As a business owner, it is important to obtain a Facebook Page, Instagram Page and website! These will not boom overnight! These require patience, nice and clean visuals and lastly a way for customers to know who you are! Having a social media platform will also allow potential out of state as well as out of the country clients purchase from you! I remember I had one client purchase from me. She posted the custom piece we made her to her page then that allowed one of her followers from another country to buy from us! We scream for joy as that was our very first international order! Had we not used social media we would have never reached that client!

Never be afraid to step out of the box with a picture, reel/video of your brand behind the scenes while working on your upcoming projects! The views are watching.

Any fun sales or marketing stories?

When Covid hit our nation, my husband and I did not know how we would survive with our business. We had seen so many businesses shut down due to what had happened. Also during one of the most busiest times of our business. Prom Season! We felt that it would only be right, if we used most of the fabric that we already had in stock and make hand made face mask. We used social media to get the word out and so many people donated for us to purchase fabric and supplies to make this happen. Our local Walmart also donated a brand new sewing machine and 50 yards of fabric to assist with the free mask project as well! We were able to give away thousands of mask to not only our local community but also different states and other hospitals and nursing home facilities. You see, when you aim to please God first and have a sincere heart to help serve his people, He will bless you for that!

Due to that act of kindness of giving away over 2,500 free face mask, we received new clients in the future!

Contact Info:

• Website: www.ileanasymoneco.com
• Instagram: ILeana Symone Co
• Facebook: ILeana Symone Co