We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Shantel Davis. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Shantel below.
Alright, Shantel thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What do you think matters most in terms of achieving success?
You have to be patient and know that customers will come in their own time. Know what your customers want because customers just want to browse around a store first before they make a purchase. Don’t pressure the customers to buy a product from you because they have other priorities right now. When a customer likes your page and website that’s another way of becoming successful. Do not give up on what you want to achieve in. Also do not give up on your dreams. Have a solid support system when you do that means you are doing the right thing.
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 Shantel Davis, I am from Miami Florida. I am a Fashion Designer and Seamstress. I started the clothing line called Colors Are Beautiful back in October 2, 2012. In May 2013 I decided to put together a Fashion Show to advertise my new line to the audience. I gotta say putting together a Fashion Show is not an easy task but I did it. I fell in love with Art and Fashion at the age of 11 when I took an Art Class. At the age of 13 that’s when I started to learn how to sew while I was taking Home Economics. I have always been an artistic person. During my high school years and now it has became an addiction. I always had a passion for Fashion. I have taken classes at Miami Dade Community College and other schools just to hone my skills. The problems that I have solved for my clients is when they say that their clothes are too tight I always tell them that I can fix that issue and I always do, that right there makes them happy. I had another issue when a customer was actually losing weight and she said that her clothing was too big so I altered it to her new size. She was deeply satisfied. What sets me apart from others is that my clothing is not one that you will find in stores. My clothing is one of a kind. I always make my Customers and Models feel comfortable and confident in what they are wearing. I am proud when my clients tells me that I do an outstanding job and when they recommend me to their friends and family. When they do, that means I am doing something right. I want my fans and followers to know what my work stands for, meaning that it is different from others. My work is one of a kind and one that stands out.
Let’s talk M&A – we’d love to hear your about your experience with buying businesses
I decided to get my business registered back in 2019 because I want people to know that I am capable of running my own business whether I have on-going customers or not. So I decided to change it a bit with the name of Colors Are Beautiful LLC. To let everyone know that this is me this is mine. I am the main business owner and CEO. I manage my own business. I also create and design all of my clothing by myself.
We’d love to hear your thoughts about selling platforms like Amazon/Etsy vs selling on your own site.
I sell my items on different websites such as Mercari, Etsy, Ebay, Offerup, Poshmark, Storenvy, Facebook Market Place, Depop and through Instagram. People also Dm me about a product they would like to purchase from me. One of the cons are that there are scammers on Ebay, Facebook Marketplace and Offerup. I caught so-called buyers that were trying to defraud me, meaning that they were making it seem like they were paying for my product but they weren’t. It’s the same as a so-called buyer writing a fake check pretending that they have paid for the item, and expect the seller to cash the check. I did not fell for any of it because I went to the bank and they confirmed my suspicions. So I threw the check away. I told the fraudster what my bank told me, they never contacted me again. I guess they knew what they did was wrong and didn’t care. The Ebay company alerted me about the fraudsters who were trying to defraud me. That’s what I like about Ebay they always give you the heads up. I did not send my items. I told all my buyers that I only send out items when they are paid for. So with that I cut off all contacts with the ones that were attempting to defraud me. The pros are that the customers that I know are honest and they value my fashion business. Yes I value honest customers and buyers at all times. I let them know my appreciation through a thank you note after they have made a purchase honestly and discreetly.
- Website: https://www.modelmayhem.com/colorsarebeautiful
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/colorsarebeautiful.llc
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/colorsarebeautiulllc
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shantel-davis-23141b22
- Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/colarebeautiful
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/user/shantelmiami
- Other: https://linktr.ee/colorsarebeautiful713
Image Credits
@morchano_shot_rite_photos @dior_ilkhomi @butchcarmichaelphotography @all_dolled_up_bynicolebruno @purplechromephotography