We were lucky to catch up with Reia Janay recently and have shared our conversation below.
Reia , appreciate you joining us today. Getting that first client is always an exciting milestone. Can you talk to us about how you got your first customer who wasn’t a friend, family, or acquaintance?
As a child, I discovered my passion for art early on. Despite being shy, I would create unique outfits for my dolls by designing and cutting out my patterns. My mother played a significant role in encouraging me to pursue my artistic talents. She entered me into a raffle for a free class at the Art Museum of Arkansas, and I was fortunate enough to win. Attending that class ignited my passion and boosted my confidence as an artist. My first course was a sculpture class, and I was thrilled to win first place with my giraffe sculpture. It was displayed in the museum for six months, and I will never forget that moment. I continued to improve my skills by attending classes, watching tutorials, and exploring various mediums.
At 17, I started creating handmade clay jewelry, utilizing the sculpting techniques I learned. While in high school, I sold earrings to women and received positive feedback, encouraging me to expand my business to include clothing. Business was thriving, and I was making money from my designs and decided to make a shop on Etsy. Word of mouth and wearing my pieces helped me quickly grow my business. I sold my clothing on Etsy, but sadly, after a year, my store was flagged and deactivated. This left me devastated, as I lost most of my clientele then. I didn’t know about being a business owner; I just knew I loved fashion and that there was a demand for my pieces. I made a website on a site called freewebstore.com and collected my customers’ emails for future reference.
My website wasn’t perfect, but it served its purpose. For about a year or two, business was going great, but then the evolution of e-commerce happened, and suddenly everyone was selling what I was selling .I felt overwhelmed when e-commerce became popular and my business suffered for the second time in a few months. After my business failed, I had to figure out how to reinvent myself and improve my skills. I applied to multiple art schools and was accepted to the Art Institute, which had several locations. Although I wanted to attend the LA or NY location, I ultimately chose Atlanta for its proximity to my family. Leaving my comfort zone and the safety net was difficult, but pursuing my dreams meant leaving my loved ones behind.
Life in Atlanta and attending Art Institute was a dream come true . I was on cloud nine but then my scholarship ran out and didn’t have enough to pay the difference for tuition and neither did my parents. After attending four colleges I finally graduated from fashion school. Looking back, I am proud of all that I have accomplished. It is clear that I went through a lot, but at the time, I had tunnel vision and was determined to never return to my hometown. My experiences taught me that life can be incredibly challenging, especially in your teenage years. During my college days, I faced financial struggles, self-doubt, and low self-esteem, but my passion for achieving my dreams kept me going. I was willing to sacrifice and persevere through even the most challenging times.
I am grateful for the challenges that came my way because they molded me into who I am today. Through resilience and hard work, I navigated the fashion industry and business world and discovered so much about myself. Attending fashion school was a highlight of my life, and my graduation in 2019 opened doors I never thought possible. One year later, I secured a deal with SHEIN and launched my first collection. If I had given up on fashion, I wouldn’t have started,my brand or be working on my fourth collection with SHEIN. I share my journey to encourage you to do the same. As a fashion designer, I have learned that rejection is an inevitable part of the process, so it’s crucial to develop a thick skin and continue pushing forward despite the adversities you face.
Reia , 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?
As an experienced Fashion Designer and Illustrator, I have successfully created a popular custom women’s clothing line called Allure by Reia. With a BA in Business Management and a specialization in Fashion Marketing, I have also established a thriving accessory line where I craft each piece and collaborate with other designers.
Despite encountering numerous obstacles throughout my career, I have learned valuable lessons from my mistakes. To share my experiences and insights, I am offering a masterclass to aspiring entrepreneurs. This class will provide helpful tips and tricks for launching a successful brand.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NF9WO6iSrpM
Here is my full story if this isn’t resilient I don’t know what is.
Have you ever had to pivot?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NF9WO6iSrpM
The interview tells my whole story. I could type it up, but this is a detailed version.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.allurebyreia.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/allurebyreia/
- Other: https://linktr.ee/allurebyreia