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

Malaysia, appreciate you joining us today. Risking taking is a huge part of most people’s story but too often society overlooks those risks and only focuses on where you are today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – it could be a big risk or a small one – but walk us through the backstory.

As far as taking risks, I’m an adventurer at heart, so risk-taking is kind of my thing! However, I wouldn’t be human if I said I didn’t have fears and insecurities to face with every risk I’ve taken.

The most life-empowering risk I’ve taken is making the decision to pursue my dreams of being a fashion designer full-fledge. Talk about facing fears and pressure! I knew I had something great to offer the world, but I had to push past the thoughts of what everyone else would think. My dreams and what I was doing at the time did not line up at all, so my mind was flooded with discouraging thoughts; but I pressed anyway!

More recently, I had been presented with the opportunity to collaborate with SHEIN. Now this was indeed a risk! “Should I give them my actual designs? Absolutely not!” This was my mindset when I first collaborated with them and so, I simply created a graphic and had them place it on their pre-existing items. However, when I was granted the opportunity to collaborate with them a second time, I decided to take the risk and give them my actual designs to produce from scratch.

This was scary for me because I did not know all the technicalities related to producing a collection. I did not attend fashion school to learn these things so this process was nerve wrecking! However, I was reassured that it was okay to potentially mess up here because this process was preparing me for mass producing on my own. I realized that the more of me I gave, the more I actually gained! Not only did I gain experience, but I also grew even more creatively!

God reminded me that He didn’t bless me with my creative gift just to keep to myself. It was meant to be released. So, from simply taking the risk of giving SHEIN my designs, I grew in experience and uncapped my creative capacity! Not to mention that my second collection did almost six times in numbers what my first collection did at this time!!

Malaysia, 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 Malaysia Evans and I’m the fashion designer and CEO of the fashion brand, Laysia Lavon. I am quite the eccentric individual. I was never one to fit in and that’s something I had to learn to embrace as I grew older. I am extremely creative and I truly believe that I can do anything I put my mind to! I paint, sew, and have even dabbled in graphic design. I am also the founder and CEO of two non-profits organizations, Girls Do Matter, Inc and Gifts For Healing, Inc. I believe that I’m a world changer and I’m walking more in that everyday!

I’ve always had a love for fashion, but it wasn’t until high school that I dived deeper and began designing for fashion shows. However, I did not truly pursue fashion until my sophomore year of college. That’s when I birthed my brand, Laysia Lavon!

I customize jackets and tailor it to my client’s personality. I also make jewelry, more specifically, earrings and bracelets. The goal and purpose of my brand is to leave every client and customer feeling empowered to be their Best, Most Free, and True selves! I’ve realized it is at that moment that an individual truly feels limitless, not allowing the walls of any box to deny them of pursuing their dreams! This is how my clients feel after an encounter with Laysia Lavon.

I’m currently most proud of launching my second collection with SHEIN! The collection can be found on their website when you search “SHEIN X Laysia Lavon.”

Outside of customizing jackets and making jewelry, I also sell my paintings which can be found on my website. The painting I’m most proud of is MasterPEACE 2.0! It captures the beauty of Black Feminine Excellence and is easily my most empowering piece.

I am looking to put on a fashion and art show in the near future so definitely be on the lookout!

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

There was a moment last year when I felt like I lost my zeal for fashion. I was under a lot of pressure preparing to move away from my family to a new area and go back to school. Knowing that my business was the only source of income I had at the time, I felt a pressure to create rather than allowing it to flow. When business wasn’t doing too good, I often wondered how I was going to be able to successfully and independently survive on my own. I even wondered if I was supposed to be moving, but God constantly reassured me that it was time. I shed so many tears in that season.

When I finally moved, I had the help of my family to support me initially. Although by this time the pressures had somewhat lifted, I still did not regain my zeal to create and design. It was even a drag for me to submit my designs to SHEIN, let alone create anything myself. I questioned for a moment if this was even my passion, but I knew that thought was only a trick of the enemy.

So I prayed and I pushed. Day after day. I even changed my environment. I added more colorful lights in my house and spent time in nature to be inspired. Then, through my pushing and prayers, I finally got my breakthrough! Creativity was flowing through my veins! I found my mind overwhelmed with ideas, coming faster than I could get them out! I had my zeal back and I became unstoppable.

Have any books or other resources had a big impact on you?

There are two influential individuals that I listen to when it comes to leadership and entrepreneurship: John C. Maxwell and Myles Munroe. I’ve both read a few of their books and listened to many of their teachings. One of John C. Maxwell’s teachings that stick with me to this day are “The 5 Levels of Leadership.” Myles Munroe’s “How to Develop a Vision” is also a great one to look at if anyone wants to check them out on YouTube!

Contact Info:

• Website: laysialavon.com
• Instagram: @malaysia.l.evans and @laysialavon

Image Credits
Luther Reid Jr. Benji Addison