We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Sarah Jennings. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Sarah below.

Sarah, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. What was it like going from idea to execution? Can you share some of the backstory and some of the major steps or milestones?

So it’s kinda funny, I had sat down with a friend and we were just conversing about what things we wanted to do in life. And she mentioned me doing the RVA fashion show which is one of the biggest in the city. Now I had always wanted to do the show. But didn’t have a sewing machine, a name or anything to start. But I pondered on that idea for a while. And made the move to start regardless. It was like from scratch! I was nervous but I was determined. I ended up buying fabric and taking a needle and thread everyday to make a whole collection of 10 pieces by hand. And the name “InceptualSara” was an accident but was a message from God to begin. Because Inceptual means to begin and Sara is obviously me! when I got the call that I made the final show, which was the biggest at the time! I was shocked, I was proud, I knew then I was limitless!

Sarah, 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?

The name of my brand is InceptualSara. Inceptual means to begin. And Sara is me. But I represent women. I call my clients My Inceptual ladies! Because I feel we all at one point in our lives have struggled with imposter syndrome of just starting. That was my story. But just like I had hard time I know other ladies do to, but I want to be a testament to others that you too can be successful. You don’t have to have it all together to start or even be “perfect”. You Just have to go for it, fearlessly. Our motto is “women are fearless, and effortlessly beautiful so her runway should be wherever she goes” because we believe in stepping forward in the direction of your dreams while being fashionable of course!

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

Having resilience is the idea of pursuing regardless of the situation. And InceptualSara is about that idea. From the beginning I explained we didn’t have a sewing machine, we didn’t know much about fabric, but we researched, we stayed true to the brand and its message. I love Fashion. I wanted to prove to myself I could do it. That God was the one leading this brand. In so many ways, he has shown me that. Making a 10 piece collection by hand was not easy at all. I initially only made 5 and was going to end at 8 but when I went to the audition the director named Ryan asked me to make 10. I was nervous like how would I make 4 more pieces by hand in 2months, when it took me 5 months to make 5 pieces. But I pushed myself, I made a strategic way of doing it and I prayed. I did double the work. Instead of a sleeve a day, I did 2 sleeves and pants leg. I didn’t make an excuse… I knew what I wanted so I figured it out!

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

A lesson I learned is it doesn’t have to be perfect! You have to roll with the punchs sometimes. Funny story I was doing my first show with the handmade pieces. (we have sewing machine now by the way ) and I didn’t have tags yet. So of course we are getting ready to walk out and I go by every girl and hype her to get ready(it’s my favorite part) and one of the ladies had the dress on backwards… I could do nothing but laugh and tell her girl werk it!! She killed that show and she was so beautiful! Many people wanted the dress backwards! It was so funny but a Very proud moment!

Contact Info:

• Instagram: @inceptualsara. And @sarahjay_thefashionista
• Facebook: InceptualSara

Image Credits
20vsn_photography, Nitasnaps, Isabellathielle, Momentofclarity, Andre.mags, Brandymiles.bmp, Mia andrews