We had the good fortune of connecting with Jesse J & Kim-Sheree and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Jesse J & Kim-Sheree, let’s start by talking about what inspires you?
Jesse: I’m inspired by my childhood dreams and goals. I’m also inspired by my family, life, and life challenges. I’m inspired By my grandmas Vicky and Rosa.
Kim-Sheree: I find inspiration in all sorts of experiences, the arts, & those around me. I tend to surround myself with other creative spirits and so I’m constantly inspired by their art & world view. I draw inspiration from the world around me especially nature. It never fails to make me feel creative than when I see a unique plant or gorgeous color. I also draw experience from life itself. In the mundane parts and the human experience. Happiness inspires me. Strength through hardships inspires me. It’s the creating a life out of all the cards we’re dealt that makes me wanna add my art to the world.
Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Jesse & Kim-Sheree: Our showroom, TrendHaus is different because we see our clients as other creative professionals rather than dollar signs. We treat our clients like people & always try to work with people to help bring their visions to life. Our journey was organic. We started in a tiny room with a couple racks of clothing from our own closets & jobs. We would tell other stylist friends about what we had to offer and they would come through. Through word of mouth, we slowly grew our inventory & client base. & now we have suites on 3 floors of the building we occupy.
One lesson we’ve learned along the way include keeping your circle small. It’s pretty much us & our amazing assistant, Tiana who run the showroom & that just keeps any sort of potential drama to a minimum.
Honestly, because we set out to just see how a dream like this could go, we didn’t put any pressure on ourselves to be a certain way…we just operated with kindness and the intent to offer really cool stuff. One challenge would be how we navigate or friendship with a business partnership, but we always keep in mind that our friendship is what’s important at the end of the day.
If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Jesse: I would take them out of the country. Traveling the world has been amazing and has inspired me so much in life. I’ve travel to over 10 different countries around the world. Everyone from the different countries has always been so kind and always making compliments to me about my fashion and style. Asking if I was a celebrity lol. I’m like no but I dress them.
Kim-Sheree: LA has so much to offer for showing someone a good time! I would fill the week with various museum visits. The Broad & The Academy Musuem are 2 of my favorites. One is an art museum and the other is dedicated to the film industry. I would then take them more inland for a hot air balloon ride over the wine country. If they were down, we would check out Zuma Beach for some sun and then take a hike up in Eaton Canyon to see the waterfall. We would be eating good since LA has tons of eats. Definitely would be going to taco, boba, Thai, & Indian spots since those are my favorite cuisines. We would hit up a House music dance night at one of my favorite local spots & then thrift & vintage shop in Silverlake & Venice. They would meet my good friends & creative clients & we’d all have a great time.
Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Jesse J: Everyone who believed in me & inspired me. And my business partner Kim-Sheree and My family and friends who always had my back since day 1. Everyone reading this you inspire and remember to follow your dreams, heart and soul. Make yourself happy before anyone else.
Kim-Sheree: My 1st shoutout would be to my business partner Jesse J. We created a successful business out of our friendship! I’ve also been fortunate to be supported by many good people in life from my parents, to my sister to my friends & my partner. But when it comes to my career, I want to shoutout all the films that inspired me to want to dress people for a living. Movies like: Clueless, Mahogany, & the films from the golden age of hollywood when Costumes were built and not just shopped.
Instagram: @thetrendhaus @jessejcollections @iamkimshee