We were lucky to catch up with Trish Mitchell recently and have shared our conversation below.

Trish, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today 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?

I run multiple businesses. Each of them was a different experience going from the initial idea to execution. A few things they all have in common are research. No matter the business idea, researching the market, and product or service is critical. It can take up to a year depending on the idea to research before beginning any venture and determining how the start-up costs will be covered is also a critical component. Another thing they have in common is the legal documents. All businesses are required to be registered in the state you will be conducting business. Once the research and registration of the business are complete, the logistics for building a website, social media account, identifying who your customers are, financing the business, inventory or equipment/supplies, opening a business bank account, business structure, etc., must be put into place. As an entrepreneur we learn pretty quickly that dedication, consistency and resilience are all key to a successful outcome. Finding ways to overcome obstacles, time management, and a willingness to do the work are necessary throughout any phase of operating a new business. Once the business is launched, staying engaged with your customers is critical. Also providing the best service along with a quality product are going to determine whether your business succeeds or not.

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?

I have multiple business ventures, all of which can be summed up by stating they were all visions from God. Visions God gave me to either use my gifts to support, uplift, encourage, and motivate others…or to encourage and uplift myself. All Black Everything Magazine is a publication to support Black Owned Businesses, Talents and Creatives by providing a space for free advertising. Ish Eyewear is a natural boost of confidence for my clients. Limitless Life Coaching provides tools and accountability for improving the quality of life, and motivation to identify and pursue the goals put in place. Bees Knees Productions provides thought-provoking live theater that also encourages and uplifts the audience. It also provides a space for new and upcoming actors to showcase their talents. Ri-Ri By Trish Fine Fragrances is a beautiful proprietary collection of scents that not only smell great but also have the ability to enhance mood and provide an aromatherapy type experience. All of my businesses provide a unique service or product and allows me to be creative at the same time. What sets me apart is my customer service and interaction. Client will “buy” you long before they buy your products. Their ability to connect with you is imperative to your success. Business is about PEOPLE, not products or services. I’m most proud of my ability to manage all of my business and still provide quality service and a quality product.

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

In order to create my fragrance line, Ri-Ri by Trish Fine Fragrances, I had to research the industry for an entire year. After researching, I began the development of my very first fragrance. After receiving the perfume oils, I began “playing around” with scents and blends, only to stumble upon the perfect scent. The only problem was, I did not make note of the measurement of each oil used to acquire that scent. I had to start all over to try and obtain that scent, this time writing down the exact amount of each oil used to perfect it.

What else should we know about how you took your side hustle and scaled it up into what it is today?

All of my businesses are designed to inspire, encourage, uplift and support others. Ish Eyewear was actually started as something fun just for me. I always loved eyewear, so I thought starting an eyewear line would be a fun side hustle. It has turned out to be the highest revenue generating business that I have. It started with 13 styles and has grown to over 200 styles since launching in 2018. Some of the key milestones have been acquiring 5 wholesalers, 3 in the United States and 2 in China, growing my customer base from family only, to having clients all across the country, building my social media following, improving the quality and presence of my website, and getting out into my community to put a face behind the brand.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.isheyewear.com
• Instagram: ish eyewear
• Facebook: ish eyewear or Trish Mitchell