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

Hi Makia, thanks for joining us today. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?

My mission has always been to provide quality, everyday, classic, and elegant clothing and accessories to all women. . When I look at a lot of boutique pieces I see a lot of beautiful statement pieces. I wanted my store to offer everyday luxury pieces that can be worn multiple ways and to a variety of places like your neighborhood grocery store, to lunch with friends, or on a date night with your partner.

My Mother always stressed to me to look my best whenever I left our home. She definitely lead by example. I want my boutique to help ladies do this. I picture my Mom in every piece I offer.

Makia, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

My name is Makia Thomas. I am 42 years old…still can’t believe it sometimes. I am married to David, the love of my life, and mother to two very special young boys David III and Daxton. I am the daughter of Linda and Micheal. My mother passed away in August of 2014 and serves as my inspiration.

I graduated from Ohio University in 2003 with a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting and Strategic Business MGT and in 2005 with a Master’s degree in Business Administration and International Commerce.

It’s ironic that my Mom started sewing and creating her own designs because she was a size 00 and had a hard time finding cool fashionable pieces…and I am focused on bringing fashion to women that are size XL+ because it’s so hard to find cool fashion in their sizes.

Another thing I noticed while sourcing my pieces is what slim pickings there are for women’s sizes 1X on up. It seemed like if you are sized 1X on up you must wear cheetah print, small flowers, or flannel. For my first collection, I wanted to offer most pieces in sizes Small to 3X. I spent 5 days in the LA Fashion District and days at other markets and I only found a couple of items that I liked. I felt so defeated. For the last several months I have been hunting for pieces for my Fall collection that will cater mostly to women-sized XL on up! The fashion world seems to leave them out and its not fair. I am super excited about my 2022 Fall Every Woman Collection.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

I went to school to be a CPA and I achieved that goal. I still work as an accountant. In 2015, my entrepreneurial spirited Husband said to me at dinner on New Years’ Eve, “Makia this year (2015) I want you to find something just for you. A business that you can call your own. I had no idea what that could be. Several months went by and I got pregnant with Daxton after trying for a couple of months…still no business. Dax came in August of 2015. We decided to have a welcome baby Dax party/house warming/David III birthday party in October. of 2015 I decided to get braids to protect my hair while I was working out to lose the baby weight. When I took them down in November my edges were completely GONE. My cousin had been sending me youtube videos of crochet braids and I made up my mind to find someone in DFW to do them. I did, she did okay. I figured I could probably do this myself. I did and they were awesome! I got tons of compliments. I thought…this is it! This could be my business. And just like that…Krochet by Kia was born. And yes…my husband named this business too. He brought home 2 salon chairs for me and I grew that business like I was born to do crochet braids. I was booked 45 days out! Fast forward to 2020…I was forced to take a break due to COVID. When COVID restrictions were lifted and I was able to do hair my body would no longer let me operate at the same level I use to. My fingers and hips were breaking down. I went from booked and busy to slow and chilling!

During COVID, like a lot of us, I shopped. I purchased a lot of beautiful statement pieces with nowhere to go. At the same time, I found myself wearing the same dress every time I needed to run an errand. One day when putting on my go-to dress…a question popped into my head… where are the online boutiques that sell everyday fly clothes for grownups? I didn’t want loungewear or athleisure!!! There seemed to be no in-between online boutiques that I could fine. So the more and more the question festered in my brain the more and more I thought about my Mom. What would she do? Of course, she would just pull out her sewing machines and get to work. Well, I couldn’t do that so I thought about an online boutique. And the more and more I thought about it the more and more it just felt right…like in my heart. While I love doing hair it…I knew I never wanted to grow it any further than my 1 chair in my at-home studio. But with The Closet Chic I just have this vision of something MUCH MUCH bigger!

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

I am still very new and learning as I go. What worked for Krochet by Kia is not working for The Closet Chic. A regular post will not cut it. You need to always be making content. Video is were its at. Now I have to keep my face made up so I can stay camera ready… it’s exhausting…LOL

Contact Info:

• Website: www.theclosetchic.com
• Instagram: @the.closet.chic
• Facebook: @theclosetchicboutique
• Other: tictok @theclosetchic