We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Vicky Adegbola a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Vicky, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. So, let’s imagine that you were advising someone who wanted to start something similar to you and they asked you what you would do differently in the startup-process knowing what you know now. How would you respond?
There’s one thing that stands out in my mind as something I would do differently if I were starting over. I wouldn’t underestimate my story. After I had been styling for about a year, I decided to launch my own clothing brand. However, the time leading up to the launch I only teased a few things here and there and I didn’t really talk about the story or process of making the brand. After launching, I realized that it was difficult building a relationship with my customer because I hadn’t told my story or the brand story, I hadn’t established that foundation. I didn’t want to be the face of the brand, I just wanted people to see this brand and care. But the reality is that you have to show people why they should care. And not just why they should care, but also you want to be relatable. That’s how you find and build a community.
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 was born and raised in Columbus, OH and grew up being a lover of the arts. I danced for most of life, loved art, and became passionate about fashion as I got older. After graduating college, I moved to Florida for law school, but after a year I realized that it wasn’t for me and I wanted to pursue fashion–something that has always been a part of my life. However, I still chose to finish my law degree. I’m grateful I did because I think it shaped the way I approach business and the way I form thoughtful questions before entering contracts or any other business relationships.
I moved to New York with about $700 and A LOT of faith. I attended Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) studying International Trade and Marketing and gained a variety of work experience from working behind the scenes at runway shows and presentations, to working in a marketing showroom that represented luxury designers, to working in product development for Macy’s. I was eager and hungry to learn the business and all facets of it.
So how did I get here? I always had a dream of doing my own thing within fashion–styling, creative direction and designing. I moved to Houston because the cost of living in New York was just too much and I knew that if I wanted to start my business I would need capital, and saving felt impossible in New York. When I first moved, I had a corporate job that wasn’t conducive to my lifestyle or what I wanted to do. I felt that in order to follow my dreams I really had to be all in. I decided to quit and go for it. I started styling for clients such as fashion brands, musicians, and personal brands; launched my clothing brand, J.O.A.N. Atelier, and took on other creative projects which allowed me to wear my creative direction hat. It has been a rollercoaster ride, but I wouldn’t trade it.
Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?
As an entrepreneur who worked in corporate for most of my adult life, I realized I was trying to make my schedule fit into a corporate schedule. But what I realized is that each day is different and so are my work hours. One day, I might be on set all day and another day I can be really productive handling admin to-do’s for 4-5 hrs and sometimes those productivity hours might be from 5p-10pm. But I had to shake this 9-5p restraint. I could set how I use my 24hrs, which also meant including rest and not feeling guilty for it.
Have you ever had to pivot?
I think my whole life has been “pivoting.” I pivoted from graduating as a lawyer to entering the fashion industry; I pivoted from New York to Houston, TX; I pivoted from corporate to becoming an entrepreneur pursuing my creative talents. An aspect of life is learning about yourself and adjusting when something isn’t serving you anymore. We’re always growing and changing and sometimes what we do and where we are have to change to in order to promote growth. Some of the most important things I’ve done have been being open minded, believing anything was possible, and knowing that God had me no matter what. I would not be doing any of this without HIM.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.vickyadegbola.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/adeintheliife
- Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/vicky-adegbola
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCsebR-bKaGp11Y6mnx8mZ1Q
Image Credits
Photographers: Cameron Reed, Afolabi Mosuro, Tola Olawale, Kwadwo Agyapong, and Edward “Kane” Burgess