We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Sha’Ron Robertson a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Sha’Ron , thanks for joining us today. What do you think Corporate America gets wrong in your industry? Any stories or anecdotes that illustrate why this matters?
As a small business owner in the fashion industry, I believe that Corporate America often prioritizes profit over ethics, sustainability, and inclusivity. Many larger fashion brands engage in fast fashion, which has a devastating impact on the environment and exploits workers in developing countries. By prioritizing fast fashion, these companies contribute to a culture of disposable clothing that has harmful long-term effects on the planet.
Another issue with Corporate America in the fashion industry is a lack of diversity and inclusivity. Many larger fashion brands are slow to embrace diversity and inclusivity, which can turn off potential customers who want to support brands that represent and empower diverse communities. Inclusivity is not only the right thing to do, but it’s also good for business, as it allows brands to reach a wider range of customers who feel seen and heard by the brand.
Corporate America’s approach to sustainability can be criticized as well. While some larger brands have made strides in reducing their environmental impact, many are still guilty of greenwashing, or using sustainability as a marketing tool without making meaningful changes to their business practices.
As a small business owner, I believe that we have an opportunity to do things differently. By prioritizing ethics, sustainability, and inclusivity, we can set ourselves apart from larger brands that prioritize profit over everything else. We can make a positive impact on the environment, empower workers, and represent diverse communities. In doing so, we can build a loyal customer base that values these principles and seeks out businesses that embody them.
There are many stories and anecdotes that illustrate why Corporate America’s approach to fashion matters and why small business owners’ emphasis on ethics, sustainability, and inclusivity is so important.
For example, in 2013, the Rana Plaza building in Bangladesh, which housed several clothing factories, collapsed, killing over 1,100 people and injuring thousands more. Many of the factories in the building produced clothing for Western fast fashion brands. The tragedy drew attention to the exploitative labor practices and unsafe working conditions that are prevalent in the fast fashion industry.
This incident sparked a global conversation about the need for greater transparency, accountability, and sustainability in the fashion industry. It also highlighted the importance of ethical and sustainable practices and the need for companies to prioritize the safety and well-being of their workers.
In contrast, small business owners in the fashion industry have the opportunity to build relationships with their suppliers and ensure that their products are made under safe and fair conditions. By prioritizing ethical practices, small businesses can help support workers and communities while also providing high-quality products to their customers.
Another example is the backlash that some larger brands have faced for failing to embrace diversity and inclusivity. In 2017, for example, H&M faced criticism after an advertisement featuring a black child wearing a hoodie with the words “coolest monkey in the jungle” sparked outrage. The incident highlighted the need for greater sensitivity and inclusivity in advertising and the importance of diverse representation in fashion.
In contrast, small business owners can prioritize diversity and inclusivity in their advertising and product offerings. By doing so, they can create a sense of community and belonging among their customers and support the representation of diverse communities in the fashion industry.
Overall, these stories and anecdotes illustrate why Corporate America’s approach to fashion matters and why small business owners’ emphasis on ethics, sustainability, and inclusivity is so important. By prioritizing these values, small business owners can make a positive impact on the world while also building successful businesses that connect with customers who share their values.
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?
I’m thrilled to have the opportunity to introduce myself to your readers. My name is Sha’Ron Robertson, and I’m a fashion designer, entrepreneur, and influencer. I’ve been fortunate enough to turn my passions into successful businesses, and I couldn’t be more proud of the work I’ve done so far.
My journey began in college, where I decided to pursue my dream of becoming a fashion designer. In 2017, I started my custom sustainable clothing brand, The Vault. We sell unique, high-quality streetwear clothing. The response to my brand was incredible when I first started. We quickly gained traction through a viral post that reached over a million people. Since then, we’ve shipped to all 50 US states and several countries, and we’ve participated in multiple fashion week shows. As of this year, I’ve branched out to work with major celebrities and influencers to personally style them for events and daily life in my brand’s clothing. This has been a major opportunity that I’m very grateful for. Along with this, there’s recently been a big opportunity presented to me for The Vault that I can’t wait to share with my customers and followers. This will take Vault to a level I’ve been working towards for years, that I’m excited to embark on.
In addition to The Vault, which caters to unisex quality streetwear, I’m also the founder of SAUVAGE, a luxury yet attainable clothing brand. At Sauvage, we pride ourselves on creating high-quality products that are affordable for women. We offer luxury dresses and sets that can be worn at events or during day-to-day life. Many may know the name Sauvage as my beauty brand that is still up and running as well. I branched out Sauvage to more than just beauty and cosmetics to now be a well-known and worn clothing brand for women.
Along with my fashion and beauty ventures, I am also an influencer. My journey as an influencer began a few years ago when I started my business in the fashion industry. As I gained traction with my brand, I realized the potential of social media and began using Facebook and Instagram to promote my products and services. I quickly discovered that social media was not just a tool for marketing, but also a platform where I could share my personal experiences and connect with like-minded individuals.
As I continued to build my online presence, I also began exploring other platforms like TikTok. With its unique features and massive user base, I saw an opportunity to reach a wider audience and establish myself as an influencer. I started by creating content that resonated with my followers – from fashion tips and DIY tutorials to behind-the-scenes glimpses into my creative process. My audience responded positively, and I began to see significant growth in my followers and engagement rates.
As my influence grew, so did the number of brand partnership offers that came my way. I was approached by various companies in the fashion, beauty, and lifestyle industries, all interested in collaborating with me to promote their products to my audience. What sets me apart as an influencer is my commitment to authenticity and transparency. I only partner with brands that align with my personal values and the values of my audience. I never promote a product that I haven’t personally tried and believe in.
Through my social media platforms, I aim to empower my followers to express their creativity, embrace their individuality, and pursue their passions. I want to inspire them to live their best lives, just as I am living mine. I am most proud of the community that I have built through my social media channels. I have been able to connect with people from all over the world who share my love for fashion, art, and self-expression. It’s incredibly rewarding to see the positive impact that I am making in people’s lives. For potential clients, followers, and supporters, I want them to know that my social media platforms are a reflection of my personal brand – one that values authenticity, creativity, and inclusivity. I am excited to continue growing my influence and sharing my journey with others.
What sets me apart from others in my industry is my commitment to sustainability, affordability, and quality. Both my fashion and beauty brands prioritize eco-friendliness, and I take great care to ensure that our products are not only affordable but of the highest quality. I’m also proud to be able to use my platform to help others succeed.
Ultimately, I’m most proud of the work I’ve done so far and the impact I’ve been able to make in my industry. I’ve been fortunate enough to turn my passions into successful businesses and to use my knowledge and experience to help others. Whether you’re a potential client, follower, or supporter, I hope that you’ll get a sense of my passion and dedication to my craft and that you’ll join me on this journey. In closing, I want to emphasize the importance of pursuing your passions and dreams. It takes hard work, dedication, and persistence, but it’s worth it in the end. If I can do it, so can you. Don’t let fear or doubt hold you back – take that first step, and keep moving forward.
Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?
As a clothing brand owner of two brands, I believe that several factors have contributed to building my brand’s reputation in the market. Firstly, I believe that the quality of our products speaks for itself. We pride ourselves on using high-quality materials and working with skilled artisans to create unique and stylish pieces that our customers love.
In addition to the quality of our products, I believe that our brand’s values have played a significant role in building our reputation. We’re passionate about sustainability and ethical manufacturing processes, and we prioritize these values in every aspect of our business. This has resonated with customers who are increasingly concerned about the negative impact of the fashion industry on the environment and workers.
Another factor that has helped us build our reputation is our focus on inclusivity and diversity. We believe that fashion should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their size, shape, or background. Our clothing is designed to be flattering and comfortable for a wide range of body types, and we make a conscious effort to feature models of different races, ages, and sizes in our marketing materials.
Finally, I believe that our strong online presence and engagement with our customers have been instrumental in building our reputation. We prioritize creating a positive and supportive community on social media, where customers can share photos of themselves wearing our clothing and connect with others who share their style and values.
Overall, I believe that a combination of quality products, strong values, inclusivity, and community engagement have helped us build our reputation within the market. We’re proud of the reputation that we’ve built, but we’re always looking for ways to improve and continue growing our brand in a positive and sustainable way.
We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.
Absolutely. One story that comes to mind is when we were preparing for a major fashion show that we had been working on for months. We had everything planned out, from the clothing designs to the models to the venue, and we were confident that it was going to be a huge success.
However, just a few days before the show, we received some unexpected news from one of our key suppliers. They had run into some production issues and were unable to deliver the fabrics we needed for our designs on time. This was a major setback for us, and we were faced with a difficult decision: cancel the show, or try to find a solution and make it work.
After some intense brainstorming sessions and countless phone calls, we were able to find an alternative supplier who was able to provide us with the fabrics we needed. It wasn’t ideal, but we knew we had to make it work. We worked around the clock to get everything ready, making last-minute adjustments to the designs and working closely with our models to ensure that everything fit perfectly.
When the day of the show arrived, we were nervous but also excited to see all of our hard work come to life. And despite the challenges we had faced, the show was a huge success. Our designs received rave reviews from the audience, and we received numerous inquiries from buyers who were interested in our clothing.
This experience taught us the importance of resilience and the ability to adapt to unexpected challenges. It also reminded us of the importance of having a strong support system, both within our team and in our network of suppliers and collaborators. It was a difficult situation, but we were able to overcome it through persistence, creativity, and a willingness to keep pushing forward no matter what.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://linktr.ee/itssharonr
- Instagram: Instagram.com/itssharonr
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sharon.robertson.735944
Image Credits
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