We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Zoe-Lanese Martin a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Zoe-Lanese, thanks for 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.
Nina Marie Co., is a company built on the faith, love and empowerment of the late Nina Marie Gray-Thomas.
Created and envisioned by her granddaughter, me (Zoe-Lanese), Nina Marie Co. was designed to make an impact on the fashion world! At a young age, I knew fashion was my calling. Unfortunately, when my grandmother (Nina) passed, fashion became my support system. I began sketching, creating fashion journalism pieces, engaging in photography and also styling my family members.
As I became more skilled in this area, using my expertise from my college education in fashion — I began creating and dreaming more of a legacy that I wanted to leave.
Zoe-Lanese, 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?
Nina Marie Co. is dedicated to providing an inclusive community to uplift and inspire the everyday person — while creating a distinct legacy of luxury and affordability.
“A lot of people find fashion intimidating. My mission is to guide them past that fear and give them the confidence to style and be themselves”.
– Zoe-Lanese M.
Nina Marie Co. offers the following services: fashion consulting, virtual styling, brand management, photography, creative directing, personal shopping and more. I am looking to gain more knowledge, network , and get hands on experience, in the fashion industry! Especially as I continue my education, while obtaining my masters degree.
I would love to continue connecting with like mind creatives and creating a safe space for us to flourish and support each other.
What do you think helped you build your reputation within your market?
PROMOTE, PROMOTE, & PROMOTE!
No matter when or where, you never know who knows other connections/people. Be prepared and confident in your business and or craft. That small 2 min elevator pitch, could get you into rooms you never dreamed of!
Always keep a few physical business cards on you and have e-business card as well. Never be afraid to pass a few out! Most of all attend events, ALL CREATIVE EVENTS! Even if it’s not your niche network and see who you can collaborate with on future projects!
What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?
My most effective strategy in growing my clientele has been by just being me! Continuing to be the same eccentric, determined, unique (etc.) Zoe-Lanese.
When being in the fashion industry you learn all about “trends” and how it continually changes and how everyone will jump on board!
In the words of Yves Saint Laurent “ fashion fades but style is eternal.”
When you create something always think outside of the box, no matter how wild it may seem. That is what makes you unique, that is sometimes exactly what you need to catch someone’s attention. Be the start of a new “trend” and make people understand it’s okay to be different and not fit in to the norm!
“I inspire your desire to be different!”
– Zoe-Lanese Martin
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/ninamarieco_?igshid=OGQ5ZDc2ODk2ZA==
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100057540704919&mibextid=LQQJ4d
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zoe-lanese-martin-4a57b819b
Image Credits
Photographers: Dion Jackson Darshon Rogers James Robinson Alyssa Redd Sondra Axline Zoe-Lanese Martin