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

Special, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Before we get into specifics, let’s talk about success more generally. What do you think it takes to be successful?

In my opinion, what it takes to be successful is all within you. You have to be driven, determined and you have to want success for yourself. You have to see your dreams of success come to reality for you, and you will always have to work hard, whether if you are working for yourself or someone else, it is always going to be hard. So to be successful to me is all about how bad you want it.

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?

For me getting into the fashion industry was a sort of walk in the park, it was just easy for me because fashion was always apart of me. My brand is just me letting my creativity out into the world. When it comes to working and staying focused and also still having a personal life, I have to create a schedule for myself. I have to plan days where I know I am just going to work, or days where I know I need to restock things that are in the office.
The Special Monroe brand is a handmade to order brand, and a more edgy style brand. Pieces that are released are always meant to stand out for our customers so when you are getting dressed it doesn’t have to seem like a lot of work. Items that release are more of just bottoms, AKA i am the pant expert. That is the brands specialty. I also make skirt sets, crocheted swimsuits/hats etc. For more personal customers who are located in the city of Tennessee are offered services to come in the office and specialize and/or change anything to their liking that has been online with styling.
In my option I think the brand stands out because of the unique fabrics i use for my clothing and the style that comes behind it.

Can you talk to us about how your side-hustle turned into something more.

When I was younger I was always moving, and online shopping really wasn’t a thing for me at the time, so as I started to get more into clothes and what I wanted to wear for school or just going to events, I could never find things I like or clothing to fit me how I wanted it to. So that’s where the sewing machine came in. It wasn’t much of a side hustle but more of a hobby for me and something to occupy my time. Lots of people would compliment me on things I wore and always ask where I would get stuff from and of course I made it. So when it came to graduating high school and getting my first job, that’s when it became a side hustle that turned into my full time job because after working for a period of time I knew I wanted better and to do something that I actually enjoyed and that also made me money. The first time I dropped my first piece of clothing and it did so well, that’s when I knew I had it in me to keep going and actually grow a business.

What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?

With growing your clientele, you have to be consistent. I know that every business owner says this but it’s true. Be consistent, market your business, always have business cards on you, always promote your business anyway you can because it will grab someone’s attention.

Contact Info:

• Website: Www.specialmonroellc.com
• Instagram: @specialmonroestudios

Image Credits
@Jadarius.Lawson – photography @1Dannesha – customer/stylist @Jaydacheaves – customer @Chalynnmonee – customer