Meet Stephanie Alcantara | Entrepreneur, Fashion & Hospitality

We had the good fortune of connecting with Stephanie Alcantara and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Stephanie, can you tell us about a book that has had a meaningful impact on you?
When I was 16 (I’m 32 now) I worked at a Pet Store, my coworker told me about a book that inspired him. Which then inspired me to purchase it that week at Barnes and Noble. The book that helped shape and inspire my entrepreneurial career was Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert T. Kiyosaki.

I related to the story because I too had a “Poor Dad” my dad made enough to support us but worked for someone and my “Rich Dad” is my step dad who owned his own business making bread for restaurants, bakeries and schools.

I learned my people skills, dependability and discipline from my dad. Then when I was starting college, my step dad told me he worked full time while he was in college, he was ambitious. That motivated me to do the same, I worked at a restaurant full time, went to college full time, and was involved in a sorority full time (all while having a boyfriend). The key is to find a harmony between your work-life balance.

Also, the book introduced me to investing and how money is a tool and you need to make it work for you. I read this book cover to cover 20 times. I even bought copies for my younger sister and two best friends a few years later in college.

Fast Forward, I started 3 businesses, not all have succeeded financially but I gained so much experience and knowledge. My business now is thriving because we’re persistent and not afraid to fail. One of the most important lessons from the book is, knowledge is power. If you don’t know something, learn about it. Never stop reading and evolving. And don’t be afraid to fail because there are lessons in those too.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
In 2019 I moved to Los Angeles with my partner and our two year old son from South Florida. When it comes to my career in Fashion and Hospitality there are more opportunities here. My partner, John Fluellen II, also has a career in music, fashion and weed industry. For anyone who’s a transplant in LA, can empathize with all the struggles and challenges that comes from apartment hunting, job searches, gas prices, taxes and etc… but we have big dreams so we make it work.

Fast forward, three years later, my business partner, Sharlene Melendez and I launched our business in the Fashion Industry. AM Global Management Inc (AMGM). We are a fashion production haus. We help designers, restaurants and other businesses develop and manufacture their apparel/uniforms. We offer no minimums, which is such a niche, we want to give designers the space to create and design with minimal production to test out their product without committing to 100+ minimums.

We also offer quality wholesale apparel sourced from our partners in Istanbul, Turkey. Our main focus is to communicate and guide are clients thru the developing and production process. Providing exceptional Customer service is the key to longevity.

Also, Branding is so important. We invested in a social media manager right away to translate our vision and aesthetics online. Instagram is a powerful tool and can yield clients and sales. Content is currency.

As an entrepreneur, you have to learn to pívot and adapt all the time. Just as you celebrate your wins, you have to accept that losses are apart of the game.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
In LA, spread throughout the week we’ll have outdoorsy activities like hiking Runyon, going to beaches from Malibu down to Hermosa Beach.

Restaurants, Elephante and Fia in Santa Monica. Laurel Hardware, Delilah’s, Harriet’s, Catch, Catch Steak, EPLP in West Hollywood. Wallys, Mastros, and the rooftop at JG. Korean BBQ and Pho in Korea town.

It’s all about the good vibes, good music and amazing food. I usually go out to West Hollywood for quintessential LA foods and bars. It’s vibrant and people are just looking for a good time

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
A special shout out to my family that have inspired me as a child and even as an adult to purse my ambitions, even when they challenge me is to understand what I’m doing.

Website: www.amgmgroup.com

Instagram: @stephanieaanda @amgmgroup

Twitter: @stephanieaanda @amgmgroup