Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Shayona Brawner. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Alright, Shayona thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. We’d love to have you retell us the story behind how you came up with the idea for your business, I think our audience would really enjoy hearing the backstory.

How did I come up with the idea? Panel Question

The idea of designing and customizing came from my passion of drawing art, especially animations beginning in middle to high school. At a park with my Godson and Nephew, they noticed my hat and asked for one. A light bulb went off along with randomly ordering animation patches which I ironed or glued on-one Ninja Turtle and the other Mickey Mouse. Then a bigger picture of “Splat Paint” on the item along with a patch inspired me to run to Walmart for art supplies. I began randomly creating hat designs for children.

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?

About You/Your Business/Brand

My name is Shayona Brawner I’m 36 and known as “Shay”. Born and raised in Southeast Washington, DC with my mother and three siblings. Being the oldest I had to look out for my siblings when my mom got sick and having athletic skills motivated me from elementary to high school playing basketball, and softball, volleyball and shot put. The sports and gifts of art helped me withdraw from some family challenges we were having. The need to complete high school was inspired by my mom and coach and the last 2 years in high school were rough while a lot of friend’s lives were loss to gun violence. My strength and determination got me through it, and I graduated in the year 2005. When I used to get home from school I would grab line paper, cardboard or a sketchbook and I would start drawing different cartoons in front of my mom because she didn’t believe me when I told her I drew a cartoon. I was amazed at myself too! Even to this day, my art designs take me places of emotional healing, increase happiness and sense of pride more than I can even imagine.
I noticed adding patches along with my personal paint, bleach, air brush, Tie dye and distress rips to my hats gave the product “a one-of-a-kind custom image.” I could and still cannot duplicate an art paint product design. The name Patchees simply made sense to me for my brand because I loved using patches, then the art of paint, distress rips or other customized request happened as I used social media to share my art craft! The orders began flying in the first two years and I added equipment like transfer vinyl machine and lots of printer transfer paper and ink! Hearing my customers trusted me saying: I trust you, do it your way” did make me nervous yet everyone has been pleased. I will always appreciate my art teacher for inspiring me to continue this artistic gift that I am so grateful for and one day hopefully become wealthy enough to take care of myself and my family.
My idea of the business, which I call PatcheeZ CustomS, is an entry level registration. Since the popularity of my products became demanding on social media, my attention to administrative business issues went ignored and my mom is waiting to help me pay more attention. My mission for my business ideas is to show my supporters to “Be Different, Be Original and Be You” demonstrating personality and individuality with bold and vibrant colors, styles, language. The options are choosing designs on any product now whether an iron on patches, color of item, custom design, personalized lettering, or freestyle, customized order is usually 2-3 weeks. By now I began expanding to hoodies, multiple hat styles, and Tees as the demand increases, PatcheeZ Custom’s gives you options such as adding my personalized pin button as well. I wanted the brand to set apart from other clothing businesses, so for me it became easily recognized that “no exact creation” on most things could be repeated. The custom pieces to me are more personal as I get to know more about my supporters, customers and when they trust me to create a piece that’s only unique for them- that means a lot. The fact that clothing garments and accessories will always be a marketable tool, my customized items will bring pleasure in demand.

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele? I promoted my business first by using Facebook, then Instagram, Snapchat, Tik Tok and passing out business cards. There’s an app called Bling, introduced to me to use for persons who do not use my popular social media sites, to download and be visible only to my personal contact list. So, event planners would direct message me an invite to a Pop-Up Promotion Event which became exciting as I felt trusted in more people liking my brand. There is an event offer to “children” that views my table upon entering that if they are still at the event upon closing, they get a item of their choice for free. Yes, many children stay the event! I have made a couple custom hats for famous people by reaching out in their direct messages.
In my residential building, which is huge, downstairs in the lobby I may leave some extra custom pieces on a table. Both times I went back down the same night, and they all were gone as weeks later on an elevator I say to this gentleman, “Nice hat” and he reply, “I found it in the lobby.” I just laughed. Doing the custom hats will always be my favorite as “theme designs” I create on a whim. Such as “GLO-Genuine Love Only” a design preferred to be a healing mechanism for all genuine loving people. I will demonstrate my business by continuing networking with various artists and vendors. I also hope to formulate a retail store to employ others and encourage career choices in industry that’s related to fashion, photography, media and architecture.

How do you keep in touch with clients and foster brand loyalty?

How do you keep in touch with clients and foster brand loyalty? I keep in touch with my supporters on my social media and my personal phone number. My supporters that have been rocking with me since the beginning receive a friend/family discount on all products and offer free shipping on your first purchase. Sometimes I give an extra custom piece just for the support and notice of my brand if you spend a certain amount. I will always appreciate my supporters because they are the reason, I keep doing it and it makes me happy designing something special for someone that is one of a kind. I also tell my supporters to send a photo of them wearing their PatcheeZ Custom’s piece so I can post them on my business page either to my social media or personal phone number.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: patcheez_customs_
• Facebook: patchees
• Twitter: patchees16
• Other: Tik Tok: patcheezcustoms Snapchat: bobdaughter

Image Credits
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