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

LaShaunda, appreciate you joining us today. How did you come up with the idea for your business?

This is a great question simply because Legacy came into fruition after my Mother passed January 2017. Before then, I had no desire to do anything crafty other than making baby food or diy projects for my then new born son, Christian. I had been a stay at home mom of 3 forever it seemed. Before she passed, my sister and I would go over to our parents house to help take care of her for years. And that took up a lot of time. Time I gladly did. So, when she passed I had nothing to do during the day. The kids went back to school. Loved ones went back to work. And there’s me with a 1 year old looking silly. Crying. Yelling. Screaming. And much much more. I prayed and asked God to help me cope with the loss of my Mom. My Queen.
One day, He answered me. it was a Buy Black Saturday on a hot summers day, I went shopping with my sister trying to support our local black business owners. While I was there my eyes opened up to a whole new world. A world where I can shine. A world where I can feel good again. And make a little money on the side. That day I became a soon to be jewelry designer.
I went from a jewelry designer. To satin hair bonnet designer. To making African headwraps. To sewing actual clothing.
My Mother, before she got sick, was a business owner herself. She owned a boutique and sold at one of our local flea markets, The Super Flea.
The BEST part about my business, in my opinion, is the fact that a lot of my pieces either are from her jewelry collection or her clothes. I incorporate them into my designs so that her LEGACY will live on.

LaShaunda, 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?

Well, I am 45 years old. I’ve been married to my best friend, Bertrand Jr. for 22 years come August. We have 3 boys; David 21, Bertrand III 16, and Christian 6 growing on 16. I was born and raised in the Kansas City area. I started off just making jewelry (earrings and necklaces). Then, I progressed to satin hair bonnets. Which is a big thing in my community. We have to protect our crown. And satin does that. I believe I sold more bonnets than jewelry. Next, I tried my hand with African headwraps. My headwraps are different from others because I make matching earrings to make it a set. And not just any earrings. I make them big and bold.
Lastly, I taught myself how to sew with the help of YouTube. I started of making simple skirts and dresses. I would use the trace method. I would grab a dress or skirt from my closet and trace it onto fabric. Cut. Sew together and there you have it.
I find joy in sewing because I feel like I’m making a difference because black women have curvy bodies. Sometimes it is very difficult to find clothes that fits “us”.
I make it my mission to have affordable perfect fitting clothes for “us”.
Since I’m so in love with sewing, I took a class in pattern making with The House of Pamela Rene.
Now, when I design and make clothes I use my own patterns.

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

I love this question. I love this question because I do make my own products. It gives me a certain pride in the fact that something I created could mean the world to someone….all in the name of fashion. When I think of a design, I literally picture every single detail In my head. From every piece of thread to the texture of the fabric. Everything is purposeful. I have the everyday woman in my mind. We’re too busy to worry about anything but what’s on the agenda. We shouldn’t have to choose from chick to casual because with Legacy, they’re one in the same.

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

Good question. My clientele can easily become a friend. As a matter of fact there are several people saved in my phone that were once customers. They teach me things. I teach them things. And that’s how I grow. That’s how my company grows. I feel like we’re all different but we all have one thing in common. Life.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.LegacyAccessories.com
• Instagram: Instagram.com/LegacyAccessories
• Facebook: Facebook.com/LegacyAccessories1
• Youtube: YouTube.com/LegacyAccessories
• Other: TikTok: TikTok.com/LegacyAccessories1