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

Hi Shantel, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
My thoughts were how was I gonna go about it? Where am I gonna get the startup money? So I have done plenty of research to answer these questions. I have worked with a lot of Fashion Designers and Seamstresses and one of them told me that I need to register my business. So she gave me a website to try out which www.sunbiz.org. So in 2019 I decided to get my Sewing and Fashion Business registered so I filled out the forms in order to get an LLC and it was approved right away. Although I founded the clothing line “Colors Are Beautiful” On October 2, 2012. I have done tons of Photoshoots and Fashion Shows just to get my work out there. So basically I have been promoting on all of my social media handles so clients can see what I do. So I took baby steps when it came to starting my own business. First I found the rightful clients who were willing to buy my clothing and to support me. Second I started promoting all of my work of fashion on social media handles and selling my clothing in online stores and consignment stores. Third I decided to get an LLC for my sewing business so everyone knows there is no other Fashion Designer like me. Also I want everyone to know that I am legit.

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 Fashion Designs are unique, you won’t find them in retail stores. I also do Alterations and Repairs. I studied Fashion Design at Miami Dade Community College so I can learn how to hone my skills. It was not easy I have had set backs, one of them were I was second guessing myself thinking that my products were not gonna sell. The way I overcame that challenge is that I just kept on sewing and advertising my work, Finding the right customers. So that’s what I did the right customers finally came my way. Lesson is never second guess yourself because there are others that will support you if others out there doesn’t. I would like the world to know that my brand is unique and one of a kind one that you won’t see in retail stores. My brand tells a story it is saying that I am different from all of the other Fashion Designers.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
The place I would take my best friend will be Miami Beach and Fort Lauderdale because there are a lot of opportunities up there. Also the beaches in Miami beach are beautiful. Especially Fort Lauderdale there are many fashion opportunities. They have nice venues to do a Fashion Show. Most of all I would take my best friend to Orlando because I did a fashion show up there and it was a blast, not only I met a lot of people but I got a lot of exposure. Disney World is something that you can never miss out on because it is a lot of fun. So yes in North Miami I get to meet new people with many talents.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
One person I would like to give a shoutout to is someone that is higher than myself and everyone else. That is Jehovah, because without this none of this will be possible. Also I would like to thank my family for all the support. I also want to thank my Fashion Coach Marion Ninkyi who is a Fashion Designer herself the name of her brand is Hanna Marie Creates. I like to thank her because she has been the best Fashion Coach, she has taught me everything from helping me to make my content on social media more attractive to the clients. Get people to the checkout with my products and lastly make myself more visible to the audience with hashtags. I have been doing so much better with that, so now I have a lot of customers preordering from me and wanting me to do Alterations right now. So my Sewing and Fashion Business is booming. On top of that I have been getting more sales. So yes Marion helped me very well.

Website: https://www.colorsarebeautiful86.etsy.com

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

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

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@colorsarebeautifulllc

Image Credits
Rob @robruthphotography
Marisa Pearcy @floridagirlshop
Donna Jean @donnajeanbacon
Tony Peroni
@totony_photo

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