Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to RENIKA SMILEY. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi RENIKA, thanks for joining us today. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?

The story behind my mission is that I actually launched my business to empower plus size women through clothing that fits there style and comfortable clothing. I launched this business to help plus size women finding clothing that fit there sizes such as women like myself. Who would starve myself or workout for hours just to fix in the perfect size. Now my mindset is to love myself at every size. I launched this business in 2021. But the business took off with money left to me from my Aunt Barbara Jean Easterling who die from Stomach Cancer in March 2022. I actually invested $15,000 into this business from an inheritance from my mother Wanda Easterling who passed from Pancreatic Cancer 6 months after my Aunt Barb die. Both my mother and Aunt Barb was know for there stylish clothing and jewelry. So the business in memory of both of them.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

My name is Renika J. Smiley, I have been a entrepreneur my entire life. My first successful business was at the age of 21, I manage a 6 figure Nightlife Club Promotion business. I was a high performer in my field at the time. a few years after much success of this business. The nightlife scene transformed from a huge club scene into a bar and grill city. So it was less money in Nightlife in Cincinnati, Ohio. So Renika closed down the business. My Second business is Generation NOW, which is a nonprofit organization that helps support young professionals in Cincinnati, Ohio. This program is funded by United Way of Greater Cincinnati and Greater Cincinnati Foundation.

Renika decided to launch a new business with the Nonprofit being where it needs to be now. This business is Lusheous Collection Inc. a Plus size clothing boutique for plus size women. We specialize in fashion forward comfortable clothing to enhance plus size women confidence.

What sets Lusheous Collection Inc apart from the competition is the quality of clothing, affordable pricing, clothes for professional women for every life event.

What I am most proud of about Lusheous Collection Inc. is the self confidence we bring to plus size women. We sell our clothes off the runway of fashion shows. Women feel empowered when wearing Lusheous Collection Inc. brand.

This brand is created in memory of Wanda Easterling & Barbara Jean Easterling my mother and aunt who both die from cancer in 2022. My inheritance invest into the acceleration of Lusheous Collection Inc.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

Lusheous Collection Inc. started out as a online boutique for plus size women. But I learned that we actually sell more clothes in person at vendor events, pop up shops, and inside stores. So we have decided to pivot the business into a storefront, and still continue the online business stream. Plus size women want to see, feel, and try on there clothes. This is why the storefront is needed.

Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?

So I lost my mother back in 2022 to Pancreatic Cancer. Before losing my mother, I lost 4 of her siblings and grand father. between 2018 – 2022 I lost half of my immediate family. While finishing my degree in Organizational Leadership and a minor in Communication in December 2022. I had to bury my mother, while managing two businesses at the same time, school full time and working a 9-5. But the legacy of my family will continue with me. Even with the losses I continue to push through with my business, and my mother and aunt left me an inheritance that help accelerator this business for me.    

Contact Info:

• Website: https://lusheouscollection.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lusheouscollections/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lusheouscollection/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lusheous-collection-inc/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SHNdlQR7ooU

Image Credits
Mr. 12 AM Photography