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

Shavonda, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Coming up with the idea is so exciting, but then comes the hard part – executing. Too often the media ignores the execution part and goes from idea to success, skipping over the nitty, gritty details of executing in the early days. We think that’s a disservice both to the entrepreneurs who built something amazing as well as the public who isn’t getting a realistic picture of what it takes to succeed. So, we’d really appreciate if you could open up about your execution story – how did you go from idea to execution?

My very first fashion memory was back in middle school. It was picture day, and I wanted my shirt to match my earrings. I wanted my hair a certain way and I even practiced my pose before the big day. That was the very first time that I was able to create my own lane and control the narrative. From that day moving forward, I began drawing sketches and putting looks together every day for school. Fashion was my go to for problem solving. Because if my outfit was on point, I had no worries in the world. I graduated High School and decided that being from a small town where Fashion wasn’t as prevalent that I would go to College for something that fit the agenda. Although, I continued working in retail, I started school for Elementary Education. From there, it was Cosmetology & Nail Technology. The day that I found my purpose though, was a life altering turn that has placed me where I am today. Sitting on the sofa, watching tv and a commercial for AIU Buckhead comes on tv. It was the commercial with the yellow dress walking the runway. It was a special invite just for me to open my mind, broaden my horizons and pursue my dreams. Fashion Design & Merchandising is what I would attend the School for. Soon after, I moved to Atlanta to follow my dreams and to see if my dreams would truly be my passion. Thank GOD, he lead me to it and I was right about it all along. GOD given talent that was about to create a whole new lane. A whole new me. A Rebel.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

I actually finished school for Fashion Design & Merchandising at Bauder College in Atlanta. I was still working in retail when my childhood friend asked me if I wanted to place my Designs in a Fashion Show. This is what literally pushed me into full on Designing for clients all over. I began Designing back when Social Media wasn’t the go to. It was literally word of mouth and pure talent. After that Fashion Show, I did a piece for a coworker, then a Prom Dress for my daughter’s friend and it just continued to snowball into what it is today. My company started as Seventiesgirl. It was based more around 70’s Fashion Icons and the era I admired the most. I have been Designing and Sewing professionally since 2010. I started off just making random items for people. I eventually began making small Collections for the brand. The style and image evolved and changed over the years. It has evolved into the Haus of Rebel. My target customer for my Collections would be women that are edgy with a touch of classic style. When I’m not creating Collections for the brand, my busiest time of the year is Prom Season. I Design between 20-50 dresses within a 3 month timeframe. I am a one woman show at the moment, but I am working on expanding the business and building a team. Throughout the year, I continue taking orders for Weddings, Birthday’s & Special Occasion Custom Designs for clients. During the Summer, we launch our Forever Young Youth Summer Camp for young girls. I am also working on a Creative Content Corner in the near future for all things Art & Design. I also find time to do Image Consulting and work as a Content Creator with photoshoot looks and concepts. Throughout my career as a Fashion Designer I am always going to go above & beyond for my clients. If they are not satisfied with an item, it is my job to work until the problem is solved. I have done things for the business that most would not do. But I am dedicated not only to my craft, but my loyalty is to my customers. I wouldn’t be able to do what I love, if it wasn’t for their support. I am thankful for each and everyone of them.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

Resilience! There have been many times where I wanted to throw in the towel. There have been so many sleepless nights, weeks & sometimes months. Sleep & eating schedule off. Weight fluctuations & fatigue. All of this and then some comes with the territory of being a passionate Business Owner. You truly have the luxury of worrying less when you don’t care as much. I have been able to stand on my word as a Fashion Designer and Business owner over the years. I have gone above & beyond for my clients and traveled the distance sometimes literally for my clients. There was this one situation that was out of my control. I wasn’t able to fix it. I even had to deal with it on a legal standpoint. I was frustrated and upset that I wasn’t able to fix this problem, but I was happy that I learned a lesson from it all. The lesson I learned was that your business won’t be flawless at all times. When you deal with so many different people you will get so many different views as well. But just as any large corporation gets hit with customers that aren’t satisfied they are open for business the next day. They keep going. Customer complaints, they keep going. I wanted to give up in that moment because I had no control of the outcome. But it taught me to keep going no matter the circumstances. Things will happen that are out of your control. KEEP GOING! Fix the controllable.

Can you tell us about a time you’ve had to pivot?

I have had to redirect my course on many occasions, but the road always seems to lead back to Fashion. During the downtime of my year, I would try to find ways to supplement for the money I wasn’t making during those months. I have found that using my Merchandising skills come in handy.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.HausofRebel.com
• Instagram: @shezarebel