Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Navia McArn. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Hi Navia, thanks for joining us today. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?
I wanted to be a fashion designer growing up . Since first grade Ive collected several sketch books , sewing machines & Fashion text books . Shopping every-weekend with the ladies of my family & watching tv shows like project runway and America’s next Top model influenced me heavily . I also started a jewelry line in the 5th grade called Fantistic5 . My grandmother even took me to the flea market to showcase my business . Fast forward to my teenage years . Life took a turn. Once I graduated High school I decided to pivot to healthcare for a stable life . Although fashion Is still my plan A . I did not have the income to produce my own custom line. Therefore I decided to start as a boutique owner until I am able to work my way up to customizing my own line. Even though the Fashion industry is massive these days and you can get a dress for almost a penny online .That did not stop my local supporter from purchasing from me with the benefits of same day pick up and drop off without having to wait weeks for a package . The amount of inquiries gave me the motivation to keep going and stay consistent even when there are big companies that are already dominating the industry .
Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.
I founded my online business Navalyse Boutique February of 2020 . Navalyse Boutique provides Women’s clothing and accessories . I give local influencers the opportunity to build their portfolio with free content & products . We also love to collab with other small businesses to create community & Network .Im most proud of not giving up even when I can be inconsistent at times . I always find a way back to my brand .
We’d love to hear your thoughts about selling platforms like Amazon/Etsy vs selling on your own site.
We have our own personal site . Navalyseboutique.com . We are not on any third party E-commerce sites at the moment. The Pros in having a website is being able to create your own layout and vision . Another Pro would being able to control your own inventory/ stock of products without the pressure of a deadline. The Cons of having your own website is constantly putting out Ads for your personal site through many different apps and search engines.
Can you talk to us about how you funded your business?
The Journey of funding my business was very difficult . I did not have a loan or business credit. I funded my business from my own pockets out of my paycheck . I researched all over google and youtube of boutique owners and gathered information on each persons opinion and I chose which option was best for me . I decided to start off with a small line of 5 pieces and I wrote of list of supplies I needed for marketing , packaging & inventory.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://Navalyseboutique.com
- Instagram: Navalyseboutique
- Facebook: Navalysecollection
- Youtube: Navia Alyse
