Meet San Stokes | Owner of Blue Skyy Apparel & San Stokes Photography

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

Hi San, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
In 2010, when the oil spilled in the Gulf of Mexico it triggered me to focus on Nature, instead of our family adventures. I love being at park, barefoot to the ground, listening to the birds sing. After that spill, I thought, ‘What if my Grand kids don’t get to see what I see right now?’ So I began waking up early to catch the sunrise on Fort Lauderdale beach. It filled my soul so much that I kept going back but to a different area to capture various angles. One day, I was driving looking for a new park when I came upon Tree Top Park in Davie, Fl. The tall trees, the horse stables, the water flowers and trails were so amazing that I stayed the entire day, and when I showed the photos to my family and friends; they were so impressed,
They encouraged me to take some classes, which I found via Broward Community school & then the business was formed.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My first love was Macro photography. The insects were very fascinating to me. I noticed they too did the same things as us, like the mating process. After viewing the photos, slogans started coming to my head to describe what the each one meant So I started adding words to each photo and I placed it on Facebook. The response I received motivated me to continue. I did some research and noticed that I was original in my idea. I’ve always loved the store SPENCER’s in the mall so that is where I see my apparel. It’s a ‘pick fun at yourself’ kind of store.

Getting starting wasn’t and still isn’t easy. It gives you what you put into it. I was jotting down & following all the accounts on IG that I thought pertained to my business; what the next step will be; how will I get customers…it’s been alot of marketing by me for me. I have a wave of motivation, great feedback will inspire you. It will also overwhelm you, as you hone in on your craft, you will discover there are so many other aspects that must be seen to. Marketing, supplies, IRS forms & fees, LLC forms & fees, and grants, funds or using your own money. These things can pull you away from the love of your business (creating) but it must be done. I suggest you make the time, hire someone or company to do it for you.

I want the world to know that Blue Skyy Apparel is a brand that represent you without saying a word. Society has gotten so sensitive that some are scared to express themselves so my prints were made to ‘crack the ice’ so to speak.

Each print will be nature inspired and/or have a nature background.

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?
When my friend visited me, we took a walk on Fort Lauderdale beach each day (in front of W Hotel). Then we enjoyed Protein smoothies from Smoothie King or the Green wise Market (off E. Las Olas Blvd.) – along with a small container of Green wise’s Cheesy grits/sauted red potatoes & meatless meatballs; while she always got a small container of Grits w/shrimp.

Later we caught a movie at AMC Coral Ridge off North Federal Highway. There we had lunch – Chicken tenders w/fries, a Cobb salad and we completed it with two White Zinfandels. The leather recliners were so comfortable – I love it here. Some afternoons we went to Big Buns Damn Good Burgers – Las Olas; their grilled chicken sandwiches w/Aioli sauce is to rush there for!!! MMMM sooo good.

A slow ride on the Water Taxi to help digest the food is a great way to end the day.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would definitely like to shout out Broward Community school for providing Photography classes for all levels of photographers. And employing Jeremiah Jenner as the instructor. He taught the basics of the DSLR camera but also added some Photoshop knowledge as well. So we were able to confidently edit our photos as we seen fit. Also a big shout out to him for when the school cancelled the class for low attendance but he decided to hold it at his home instead!! Shout out to Jeremiah Jenner!

Website: blueskyyapparel.com

Instagram: blue_skyy_apparel

Image Credits
credit: Blue Skyy Apparel LLC