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

Mya, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today So, naming is such a challenge. How did you come up with the name of your brand?

The name of my business is Within Collection. I came up with name from a firm belief I have that comes with self-love and growth. Everything comes from within yourself, whether that’s beauty, personality, or even fashion. It shows that your true self blossoms from within you. So be true to yourself! That incorporates with my mission of my business, for my customers to identify with themselves through fashion and expression of clothing and be true to themselves! Always remember, “Everything comes from Within.”

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I’m Mya Lee from Atlanta, Georgia and I attend Clark Atlanta University. I launched my online clothing boutique in January of 2020 at the age of 17. I always was very determined, so in my last year of high school I thought of a way that I can make something for myself that I can say I did on my own. I was known for always being up to date in new fashion trends or being the “best-dressed.” That’s when I thought of making a clothing business. I sell trendy and fashionable clothing as well as customized clothing from my brand. The clothing on my site is meant for my customers to embrace themselves and make them feel good about theirselves. It’s so that they can have self-confidence and really bloom from within themselves.

I am most proud of my determination throughout the past 2 years I’ve started my brand. It’s so much behind the scenes of having a small and growing business along with the ups and downs that you face. It’s all worth it when I know that my customers are happy with the items from my brand and it helps them grow and expand their self love through the self confidence they get from my clothing.

How do you keep in touch with clients and foster brand loyalty?

Making sure that you have a relationship with your customers is the best way to continue brand growth. With every purchase, I show my customers how much it’s appreciated. I’ve created exclusive VIP lists to where those who continue their support are always the first to know of new arrivals and get special discounts. I send out emails/SMS to everyone who purchases to make sure that their item is what they expected and they are happy with the purchase they made from my brand. My customers are the reason for my brand to be where it is now. So, anytime I can I show my appreciation to them.

Can you open up about how you funded your business?

I had to put in a lot of effort and planning to start my business. I started off very small. I initially took the time to plan the cost of items that were needed to start my business such as business cards, flyers, mailers, shipping label printers, and so much more. I also factored in the cost of clothing pieces I would purchase to start off with. With this, I got an idea of how much I would save to begin the journey. It didn’t take too long, but after I saved almost every paycheck from my part-time job while in high school, I got the amount I needed and went into works to start my business. I got business plan help with family and friends that also have started their own business and that also helped me be able to put my plan into action.

Contact Info:

• Website: withincollection.com
• Instagram: instagram.com/shopwithincollection
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shopwithincollection

Image Credits
Jadenshotyou Photography