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

Yaya, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today We’d love to hear how you think where to draw the line in terms of asking friends and family to support your business – what’s okay and what’s over the line?

I feel that you shouldn’t have to ask family and friends to support. It should be an automatic thing. Family should be your number 1 supporters. Friends can sometimes be a little tricky though but you still shouldn’t have to “ask”. You can’t draw a line if there is not one to draw. Either you or you don’t. I’ve learned this by just living life. Every Support is not a genuine support. The ones that do support me I love yall and soon as I make I’m coming back to grab my people.

Yaya, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

My name is Ayuna Anthony. I go by Yaya. I am 32 years young. I have a 1yr old son ( Marion). I grew up on the east side of Nashville. I went to Maplewood high school (class of 08). I graduated from TTTHHHEEE TENNESSEE STATE UNIVERSITY as well. I was doing gift baskets with my mom at first that started in 2014. After I had a miscarriage in April of 2019. That change my life tremendously. All I kept hearing my mom say was keep the FAITH. FAITH the size of a mustard seed. Faith everything. So I started my apparel buisness in 2020 called FAITH. I also do customizations as well. I customized clothing and more.
In 2022, I changed it to FAITH drip. I just thought that was more hip lol. So I came up with an acronym for the word FAITH. FINDING ACCEPTANCE IN THE HARDSHIPS. Meaning we experience hardships throughout life, accepting that hardships would come, not to break us , but ONLY to make us stronger equals to holding on to our FAITH.
it’s hard having this type of clothing brand because everyone thinks CHURCH automatically when they see the word FAITH. People scream faith all the time in church or not in church. People name their kids faith lol.
I’ve been boxed in since I started this brand but I’m not gone quite. I’ve been fighting for my brand since I started.
I’ve made a few connections. I’m proud of how far I’ve came. Im proud that im still standing in the mist of it all. I still have a ways to go but this is not the end. I have shirts, Hats, slides, biker sets, hoodies and more. This is the 2nd article I did an interview for so I know GOD has a plan for me.
I just want people to know that ya girl is here to stay and I appreciate all the love and support from everyone.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

I had to unlearn not to dwell on the stigmatism that comes my way about my brand. It was a time that I would be upset and want to quite because of it. I’ve had someone come to me and say when they first seen it they thought ” Churchy” and that I had to change it so it won’t come off like that. I know who I am and what I can bring to the table. Nobody can make me change this. It’s my story to tell and this is how I chose to tell it.

Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?

I built my audience through networking from pop up shops, events, air drop, and just word of mouth. I had a friend introduce me to a pastor and he helped me a lot as well. He was connected all over not just through church. So my foot was put in through the door from their and I took off. My advice would be sell yourself. Make sure you talk to people, tell your story, have conversations, promote, market,etc. Give some stuff away. I’ve gave away plenty and still is. Don’t worry about the money it’s gone come back 10 fold I promise.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: Www.instagram.com/l.a._creates
• Facebook: L.A. createS