Meet LaShandra Maddox | Author & Creative Director

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

Hi LaShandra, how do you think about risk?
For me, it’s all about how one perceives risk. I think that risks are challenges not taken, honestly. As I continue to grow as a person and build my business as an entrepreneur and author, I’ve discovered that it is also very important to pick and choose how you take risks. Self-publishing in itself is a risk, but I considered its pros and cons before choosing to do it. My creative freedom within my books allows me to take risks in my writing. Opening my online boutique also brought along risks and continue to do so, but I take it on as a challenge to make my business better.

What should our readers know about your business?
My journey as an author and fashion business owner began just after graduating from Miami International University of Art and Design with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Fashion Merchandising in 2016. One of my biggest accomplishments from my time in college was participating in the “A Night On The RunWade” design contest. I designed a dress made entirely of paper inspired by former NBA basketball player, Dwayne Wade, and was selected as one of the finalists whose garment would be display at the “A Night On The RunWade” charity event.

After graduation, At first I was struggling to figure what I really wanted to do with my life, I was sure that I wanted to be a fashion designer and have my own brand, but I learned not to rush into anything without first doing the research, the hard way. Over time, I had opened and closed 3 different online boutiques within two years. I made countless mistakes with each one, that I eventually learned from. I finally took a leap of faith in 2020 during the pandemic and created Andra’Rey. I created this brand to cater to the “homegirl next door”, much like myself. I learned to be more authentic within myself and my brand, to take risks, and to not be afraid of asking for help when you need it.

While doing that, I dived into self publishing my first full-length book, Taylored Rose in 2016. I continued my writing journey by producing my debut novel, Blairwood: The Price of Drama in 2019. I’m currently working on my third book as well as putting out other fictional content.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
On day 1, I would take them to South Beach for beach fun in the sun, jet boating on the water, shopping on Lincoln Road, and dinner on Ocean Drive. Over the next few days maybe brunch on Las Olas Blvd in Fort Lauderdale, shopping in Aventura and Bal Harbor, and a comedy show at Miami Improv. On the last couple of days, I would want to take them on an overnight trip to Key West and go kayaking.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Yeah. I want to dedicate my shout out to numerous people in my life that have supported, mentored, encouraged me throughout my successes:

My Parents & Brother
My Boyfriend
Briana Smith (Friend & Literary Editor)
Sherice Franklin (Friend & Fashion Industry Colleague)

Website: www.andrarey.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andrareybrand/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/myandrarey

Other: Books on Amazon 1. The Price of Drama 2. Taylored Rose

Image Credits
LaShandra Maddox Lara Dennery Sherice Franklin Ky Jackson