We were lucky to catch up with LaTeisha Ray recently and have shared our conversation below.

LaTeisha , appreciate you joining us today. Owning a business isn’t always glamorous and so most business owners we’ve connected with have shared that on tough days they sometimes wonder what it would have been like to have just had a regular job instead of all the responsibility of running a business. Have you ever felt that way?

Yes, I’m very happy with being a business owner. I love the freedom and versatility that comes with then profession. However, sometimes I do think about returning to corporate America. As a business owner sometimes things work slower than the norm. Patience and strategy is pivotal in this industry. At times I have thoughts to throw in the towel and call it quits. Then I remember how passionate I am about fashion and helping others feel confident. My business is one key aspect of who I am and I refuse to quit on me. When business is slow I remember that overnight success in some cases doesn’t bring longevity. It takes time to build an immaculate brand and business. My business will be global!

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?

I’m LaTeisha Ray owner and founder of The Monay Collection. Which is a business casual clothing collection for women. I worked at a bank for quite a while so I felt that curating pieces for a business woman was a must. I feel that streetwear has a lot of trendy fashion, however it isn’t allowed in professional settings. Trendy business wear is hard to find so I felt as if I’d make it easier for women that work in professional settings. I’ve always liked to “ dress up” and business casual was my style of choice even to go to places like the grocery store. I’d feel slightly insecure when people would ask “where are you going” or “why are you so dressed up”? I started this brand for the ladies that like to look good unapologetically no matter the time or occasion. We deserve it!

How did you build your audience on social media?

Building an audience on social media has the very strategic. You have to really dive into analytics, what’s the best times to post, what hashtags are essential for your niche. One of the biggest keys is shadowing other business owners or content creators. Interacting with similar accounts in your niche is pivotal as well. I feel that engagement is another key component as well, engaging with accounts similar to your boosts the chances of your content being shown to new accounts. Honestly, Building an audience on social media would’ve been my first step before starting a business. I feel that it makes the process of selling products much easier. Your audience trusts your insight and they enjoy your content.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

My social media presence.

Contact Info:

• Website: Www.themonaycollection.com
• Instagram: Www.Instagram.com/lateishamonay