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

Talesha, appreciate you joining 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.

I created AWE 2021 during Covid. After many years of being a fashion model, I had the passion to create a brand from my own vision. For 20+ years I’ve been a mannequin and face for other people’s brands, I knew I had the tools and knowledge of the fashion and beauty business to create a brand for every woman. One of the perks of Covid was we all had time. I used that time to research and create my brand AWE. Now I can be my own walking billboard.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

I’m a model, singer, entrepreneur, and real estate agent. I was known from the MTV hit reality show “8th and Ocean”. I’m currently signed to top agencies like Wilhelmina, CESD, and NTA Talent. I have walked in many NY, Miami, and LA Fashion weeks. My career includes runway shows for designers like Sergio Hudson, Richard Tyler, St. Johns, Kevan Hall, Billabong, Fredrick’s of Hollywood, Rock & Republic, and NBC’s Fashion Star, to name a few. I’ve done commercials for companies like Payless, Lexus, Budweiser, Coors Light, Dentyne Ice, etc. I’m also known for my international modeling career shooting campaigns and advertising for designers like J Lo Beauty, Tommy Jeans, Sketchers, Maybelline, Black Radiance, Paul Mitchell, and Union Bay, to name a few. My career has allowed me to grace magazines such as Marie Claire, Essence, and Vibe. I have been booked for catalogs like Kohl’s and Macy’s. I’ve had a successful music career as 1/3 of the girl group called “Heaven Sent” signed to Motown/Universal Europe. I’ve also been featured in music videos, “Tonight” by John Legend, “Troublemaker” by Taio Cruz, and “Motivation” by Kelly Roland.

With my knowledge in the fashion and beauty industry, I created a fashion boutique and beauty brand that’s tailored for every woman. Bringing runway-inspired fashion with a twist of street style. The motto “Always Keep them in AWE”. What sets my brand apart from others is, that I know this industry inside in out. I experienced the fashion industry having the designs created on my body to making a dress come to life in a photoshoot or runway show. I know what makes a collection of luxury and disposable fashion also. So having lived the the fabric of fashion and beauty for so many years, my brand is my vision of blending those two kinds of fashion. What I like to call affordably luxe.

We’d love to hear your thoughts about selling platforms like Amazon/Etsy vs selling on your own site.

I sell my products on Shopify. I love how simple the site is to build. They also have great integrations to add to help your business grow. I price is great for starting so you don’t feel stressed about taking a large out-of-pocket cost upfront.

We’d love to hear about how you keep in touch with clients.

Having a great email marketing program or app is very important. This is another reason I like Shopify, they supply you with multiple options to keep in touch with your customers. Tracking what they purchased and what they may have put into a cart and didn’t decide to buy is critical for growing your business. Also, the program or app can let past customers know what new to bring them back to the site. Having an automated program like that helps keep you on track.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.awe.style
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/awe.style/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/awe.style1/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/TheAWEstyle

Image Credits
Bruce Talbot Jonathan Davino Barclay Wright Freddy Ortiz