Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Shameeka Samuels. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Shameeka, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Covid has brought about so many changes – has your business model changed?
I Re-branded and Launch The Staples Showroom the 1st week of February 2020 with a business model providing Essentials, Staples and Impulsive wardrobe pieces for the Working Women.
Then Covid happen March 2020 and changed everything.
My products, target audience, marketing and price points also changed by the September 2020 when I realized Covid wasn’t going nowhere.
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 Shameeka and I and always love fashion. I got in fashion industry with my hobby of jewelry making. I would come home from work and grab a glass of wine and create beautiful designs that my co-workers would love and buy. After a few months I was selling jewelry in New York and California. Eventually started doing home Jewelry parties and styling models for fashion show.
I stop making Jewelry and found some great clothing vendors after 10 months back in early 2000.
I provide Essentials, Staples and Impulsive Women’s Clothing and Accessories for women on the go. Many ladies love our stylish lounge wear and our sexy jewelry and handbags to style with their fit. Our Impulsive Pieces are stylish and different
I source quality staples pieces that my clients will be able to wear again and again with confidence, I take pride in quality. I’ve been in the Fashion World a little over 17 years.
We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?
I had to unlearn how to run a Clothing Boutique . My first Boutque was a 5 figure Boutique from 2010 to 2017 but Social Media kept changing and Email Marketing was getting stronger. However,I continued to run my business the same way and my numbers dropped.
By 2019 I was over it, at the end of that year I closed the doors to My Secret Treasures Boutique.
I knew I had to Re-Learn the fashion industry, Branding and Marketing so i got help. I hired a Business Coach and a Branding Company and took intense marketing courses. You have to invest in your Brand as well as yourself.
The Staples Showroom was born and Launched 2/8/2020.
Have you ever had to pivot?
In 2019 my boutique was barely surviving, I had to make some crucial decisions. Fast fashion was on the rise whether the quality was cheap or not, I wasn’t going to get on board with it.
Great Quality items give you credentials and I wasn’t about to sacrifice my brand.
So when Re-Branded I decided to break my business down to 3 categories because fashion has 3 levels. Each Level is a different women. I gained Clarity of my new audience.
Since 2020, I increased my email marketing sales as The Staples Showroom. I switched website platform. Testing out the latest strategies like contract influencers and more.
You have to ask yourself, Am I worth it, is my Brand worth it? Invest! We don’t have to do it all by ourselves.
Re-branding was my Pivot and I’m happy I did it. I’m not where I want to be but 2025 will be our year. I declare and decree it.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.TheStaplesShowroom.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thestaplesshowroom/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100089855815476
