We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Rochell Malay. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Rochell below.
Hi Rochell, thanks for joining us today. Let’s start with a story that highlights an important way in which your brand diverges from the industry standard.
Beauty and fashion go hand in hand they both tell a story and they tell the story together and thats the industry I am in. I dont just sell or create fashion looks i create an experience a lifestyle a feeling. what makes me different is I give the world my raw authentic self and don’t mind the criticism. I stay true to myself whether it ruffle some feathers or not. I can not give what i don’t feel. i give 100 percent every creative project and fashion. If The world don’t get what I’m doing at that time they soon will come around and understand later. I still go for it!
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
Im Rochell Malay im the creative director of the mega brand Alex Malay a speaker and entrepreneur. My entrepreneur journey started when i was eight years old. One summer my parents took me shopping and i didn’t like any of the clothes they were picking out and i told my mom i don’t like it its not my style that’s not my swag, so she said if you have your own money you can buy your own clothes. A light bulb went off in my head and i ask my mom to take me to a wholesale supermarket so i can open up a sweet shop from home. i sold everything from candy to cupcakes. At the end of the summer i ask her to take me to the bank to cash in all my coins and money. i was the smallest one in line at the bank but it was such a proud moment for me and i loved the feeling of serving customers and working hard and having my own money. Fast forward to 2012 i got into beauty and fashion and i fell in love with it. i love to create and i love helping people look their best and feel good. i open my first brick and mortar in 2016 and ship Alex Malay Products all over the world. The brand has grown tremendously. im shooting Alex Malay 10 Year documentary right now. A decade in the game and it feels amazing. A decade in takes motivation but most of all passion. im passion driven thats why i cant stop. Its such an incredible feeling having supporters message you and email you how you inspire them and help them on their journey and thats what its all about. The impact and mark im making in this world. i want to become legendary because i have put in so much time and work consistently over 10 years.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
When I had to close my store my brick and mortar down something i worked so hard for. i saved over a year to open the store and then four years later had to close. then a year later the pandemic hit i felt hopeless like a failure like how did this happen to me when i thought i did everything right. But actually it was my saving grace it pivot me into different avenues and areas of my business and i was able to reach and inspire more people. I started doing mentorship for other entrepreneur women in business and motivational speaking while creating a new game plan for my business.
Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?
When I had to close my store my brick and mortar down something i worked so hard for. i saved over a year to open the store and then four years later had to close. then a year later the pandemic hit i felt hopeless like a failure like how did this happen to me when i thought i did everything right. But actually it was my saving grace it pivot me into different avenues and areas of my business and i was able to reach and inspire more people. I started doing mentorship for other entrepreneur women in business and motivational speaking while creating a new game plan for my business.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.alexmalay.com
- Instagram: @alexmalay
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/1AlexMalay
- Twitter: @shopalexmalay
- Youtube: Alex Malay TV