We recently connected with Tiffany Jones and have shared our conversation below.

Tiffany , 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?

When I first decided to get into “Tall” fashion, I searched all over for wholesalers who might have had Tall. I had no luck at all. I then went on the hunt searching for the places that made Tall on a large scale. I thought that I could buy from them. After 2 years of searching , I started sewing my own items and then hired other seamstresses to help me out. After I realized that sewing by hand would not allow us to scale , I had to find a manufacture. This was not the easiest task but it was the way to grow my brand. I started working with a factory on samples and eventually got a great product to put in the market.

This process taught me a lot about the details of garment making from the buttons, zippers , finishes and more.

To get a product that has never been made before into the market takes a lot of hard work and attention to detail.

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

My name is Tiffany Jones-Lewis and I am a full time fashion designer. I own an exclusively Tall brand , TJL Collection.

I started sewing when I was a teenager because I am 6’1” and it was hard to find pants long enough. It’s embarrassing wearing high waters and being taller than most people around you.

My brand is for women 5’9” and taller. I focus on pants, suits and jumpsuits for Tall women because most stores do not have a Tall section.

I have always dreamed of being a designer bit Tall was not my original focus. I learned about the community as I begin wearing my own designs. I found that other Tall women were having the same issue and turned a hobby into a brand.

So far I have been able to dress WNBA coaches , players and news reporters. This makes me so proud because I know that I am needed. My brand has purpose and I am happy to be of service to women who struggled like me.

Let’s talk about resilience next – do you have a story you can share with us?

When I first got started, I worked with a manufacture who did not have great quality control practices. There were many inconsistencies in the fit, fabric, labels and more. This was not the way I wanted to introduce customers to my products. I had a very difficult time with dealing with returns and trying to find more funding to buy better products. If you cannot sale what you have, it’s hard to buy new things.

I had to learn to be very thorough in my sourcing process. I had to learn to ask deeper questions and listen to what they said back.

Really I’ve learned patience. I do not rush the process because I want to put out great products. In order to do that, there must be a process of quality control.

How about pivoting – can you share the story of a time you’ve had to pivot?

When I first started my business, I worked a full time job as well. I Had a financial cushion. But then the pandemic hit and my daughters debate closed until further notice. I then became a stay at a home mommy. I learned quickly how to pivot and buckle down in my business to generate more funds.

I had no more income from work and then I had to juggle a baby at home. But there is something that clicks in you when there is no other way. I was not about to lose my brand and I had no choice but to be a great mom. I learned to work naps times, how to teach my daughter what she needed and often times she would sit in my lap while I sewed.

She really is a motivation to me. I now have twin boys and it’s even tougher but showing them hard work and dedication is what drives me.

Contact Info:

• Website: Tjlcollection.com
• Instagram: Tjl_collection
• Facebook: TJL collection

Image Credits
RL photography