Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Raven Clark. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Raven , thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?
Back in November 2019 I was on a holiday trip to Texas to see family in Texas. While I was spending time with family on Thanksgiving my cousin and I was having a discussion about Fashion. Then, my cousin stated that, ” I’m one of the more girly girls in the family. ” My cousin knew how passionate I was about fashion. My cousin gave me confirmation that I should start my own online boutique because she felt that I knew how to dress and have the capabilities of giving women advice about fashion. Furthermore, I took my trip back home to Missouri and start researching on google on how to start an online boutique. I started making post on social media of different clothing that was trending around the time. Around March 2020 I started selling clothes, but my online boutique did not become official until May 2020 in which was right in the middle of the pandemic. I came up with my business name ” Ravie’s House for Fashionistas” from one of my favorite songs by ASAP Rocky ” Fashion Killa”.
When I came up with the idea for my business I knew ” Ravie’s House for Fashionistas” was a worthwhile endeavor because it opened doors for me to meet and connect with more women entrepreneurs in the St. Louis Area to build a bigger support system. Ravie’s House for Fashionistas has doors for me to be role model and mentor to more women. Open doors to be featured in Pop ups, Fashion Shows, and having my story being heard.
I honestly felt like ” Ravie’s House for Fashionistas” is the women boutique that every woman from ages groups and different ways of life can shop for a reasonable price. Me being an owner of Ravie’s House for Fashionistas is giving women advice, love, and support about fashion. I show compassion for my customers. If a customer only $ 20 or $ 30 in their progression I try to assist my customer to find an outfit within their budget. For loyal customers I give incentives and discounts on items.
Yes, I was solving a problem that no one else was solving because pricing is not what I’m concerned about. It’s really about making a customer’s day and forming relationship with my customers. A customer could be having a bad day and once they come to ” Ravie’s House for Fashionistas” online they knew no matter what situation they were dealing with I was really accommodating to their fashion needs. Basically, when I catered to my customers’ there were customers who told people about ” Ravie’s House for Fashionistas by word of mouth in which build my clientele.
Yes, I was offering a unique approach. Instead of doing a transactional approach with customers, I interact with customers as a friend or an advisor so that they know that I am coming from a very compassionate place.
This idea got me excited because overall fashion has always been my passion.
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
My name is Raven Keyana Clark and I’m from St. Louis Missouri. I’m a CEO of Ravie’s House for Fashionistas and a Learning Trainer. I used to live in Los Angeles, California for 2 years from 2009 to 2012. I went to DeVry University in Sherman Oaks, California on campus for a couple months of in 2011 then moved back in St. Louis in 2012. I finished my undergrad in December 2014 in which I have obtained my bachelor’s in Business Administration. I took a break from school due to stress, anxiety, depression, caring for family members, and financial hardship. I graduated from Lindenwood University last year 2021 with a master’s degree in Managing Information Technology.
I have always been so passionate about fashion since I was about 10 years old. I used to watch America’s Next Top Model and other Runaway shows to see the latest trends in fashion. I got into the small business/fashion by putting my business on multiple platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and word of mouth. Back in February 2022 I have done my 1st Pop Up Shop in St. Louis. Once I was featured in the 1st shop more opportunities opened for business expansion. I sell Women’s and Men’s Fashions from casual, evening, longue wear, lingerie, to club wear.
The problems I solve for my customers’ to making sure they can feel good and express themselves in what they wear for a reasonable price. I always try to best to be encourager and very accommodating to my customer’s fashion needs. I always will treat every customer as if they are my brother, sister, or friend I’m going shopping or providing guidance to.
I’m proud of being known for being an entrepreneur and CEO of ” Ravie’s House for Fashionistas” in the St. Louis Area. Also, expanding my business in different cities and states. I’m just happy with the progress & growth of my business since May 2020.
I want my fans to know that they can follow me on Social Media Platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and my business website. I have women’s and men’s clothing currently in stock. stay tuned for more Fashion Shows and Sales.
Facebook: Ravie’s House for Fashionistas
Instagram: www.instagram.com/ravie_house_for_fashionistas
Website: www.ravieshouseforfashionistas.com
Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?
I have to unlearn to be a servant to others without setting boundaries. So basically, taking time out of the day helping others until I became tired, overwhelmed, and weary.
In 2013, I was assisting my mother because she was very sickly at the time & helped my sibling as well. I did not really have any assistance at the time. I was cleaning the whole house, laundry, giving her medication, dishes, paying all the bills, buying clothes, furniture, and etc. I literally was taking taxi and cab at the work because at the time I did not have a license at the time. My mother was in and out the hospital. So, the taxi and cab were my only option. When she was at home, she always became sick at night. So I literally was stressed, overwhelmed, losing sleep like almost every day. At night and sometimes in the middle of the day I used to go in my room and cry for hours. My stomach literally used to turn in knots and my mind was scattered. It was hard for me to eat because I did not have an appetite. Experienced muscle and chest tightness. I could not have brought my mind to remembrance to anything that occurred in the moment or prior. May of 2013 My mom and I went to bible study. At Bible Study, I had an anxiety attack & the ambulance was called. The ambulance took me to the emergency room. I was seen by the doctors. The doctors told me I was diagnosed with anxiety. Once I was diagnosed with anxiety, I realized I was serving others but was not serving boundaries with myself.
Fast forward in 2022 I realized I can be still a servant to other, but I just set limits with myself and others. I listen to body. I make sure I was feeling stress, weary, or depressed I mediate, pray, journal, listen to music, and cater my time to my business. Finally, knowing my limits, having inner peace, and saying no.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
Back in February in 2022 I was diagnosed with Cervical Dysplasia. The doctor had called me while I was at work. When I had received that news, I was so devastated because I haven’t experienced any serious health issues. When a couple of weeks later still the same month I got an ultrasound done and received results. My results from the doctors stated that I had Uterine Fibroids that need to remove and ovarian cyst on my right ovary. Throughout my diagnosis from the doctor, I still kept going serving my customers, doing pop ups, and fashion show.
In the midst of everything I had two surgeries: LEEP procedure and myomectomy surgery. I had the LEEP procedure in June of 2022. My recovery time was 4 weeks. a week after my surgery I strived to host my first Fashion Show at Lashay’s with my ambassador & models and was featured a Pop Up at DLUXE Events weeks later in June. I had the myomectomy surgery in August 2022. The recovery for myomectomy surgery was difficult because I had 5 uterine fibroids remove out of uterus. I needed assistance and could not fully walk on the steps on my own for the first 2 weeks after surgery. I was on bed rest. Couldn’t lift anything over 15 pounds for 5 to 6 weeks. Couldn’t work serve my customers or work my 9 to 5 job. September 4, 2022, my brand Ravie’s House for Fashionistas was featured in Glam the Runaway Fashion Show to DLUXE Events in midst of still recovering from myomectomy surgery.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.raviehousefashionistas.com
- Instagram: www.instragram.com/ravie_house_for_fashionistas
- Facebook: www,m.facebook.com/ravieshouseforfashionistas
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/raven-clark-b86312b0/
Image Credits
Josh Manning, Claire McGale, and Kerry