Behind Building a Brand: My Journey in Fashion and Life

I built my brand while studying fashion design and working as an international model, blending global fashion influences with my African heritage. In 2016, I launched my brand and opened my showroom in Chicago. My designs are more than just garments—they enhance the female body with confidence and versatility, transitioning seamlessly from the workplace to social settings. As a brand consultant, my success is measured by helping other designers achieve brand consistency, ensuring their vision stays strong and clear. While manufacturing has been part of my journey, my focus remains on creating designs that inspire confidence and adaptability in everyday wear.

Life teaches us so much, and while we may face challenges, we always have the power to choose our path. I stayed in my comfort zone for a long time, but I began to realize that God created this vast world for us to explore. I understood that I needed to step out and take advantage of the opportunities before me. Chicago was an incredible chapter in my life, full of opportunities I embraced. I launched my brand, opened my first showroom, collaborated with talented designers, and hosted events that helped raise awareness for my brand. It wasn’t easy at first, but as a fashion designer, I challenged myself to go beyond what was familiar—seeking manufacturers, finding the right contractors, and creating meaningful connections.

There were moments when I felt overwhelmed, but I now realize that my mindset played a huge role in shaping my journey. Shifting to a more positive outlook taught me that there is always room to see the good and keep pushing forward, even in the busiest times. Though naturally introverted, I knew that life is about choices, and God encourages us to experience and use the world around us. This journey of growth, pushing beyond my limits, is something I’m proud to share.

I started my business right after graduating from college. Full of excitement and creativity, I wanted to create blended pieces and share my authenticity with the world. I felt like my training in business and fashion design, combined with my exposure to the world of business, was enough to prepare me for the challenges and adventure ahead. Like most entrepreneurs, the first two years were the most challenging. I had to juggle market tastes and my creativity, providing products that customers would feel comfortable wearing while maintaining my authenticity. I also had to consider the market and competitors I was facing. It was a balance between growing my customer base and maintaining the right equilibrium between sales and production.

Overcoming these early challenges helped shape me into the businesswoman I am today. In the fashion industry, developing an efficient network of people and businesses is crucial, especially to support the supply chain from garment conception to manufacturing and selling. People who know me professionally often see me as a strong and resilient businesswoman, appreciating the work I’ve put into building my brand. While I take pride in my strength, there is more to me than meets the eye. Beneath it all, I have a softer side, but I’ve learned to step into my strength when necessary. This didn’t happen overnight.

My mentors have played an important role in my journey, giving me a realistic perspective and preparing me for both the challenges and successes ahead. When I told one of my lecturers that I wanted to turn my passion for design into a business, she saw my enthusiasm and told me something that would stick with me: "You need a mentor, someone who can guide you through the business side of things." At the time, I was fully enjoying my passion for design, focusing on creating beautiful pieces. Even though I came from a family business background—my dad is a businessman—I didn’t understand the deeper aspects of running a business. I soon realized it wasn’t just about creativity. To build a successful brand, I also needed to know how to sell my designs, market them effectively, and understand who I was designing for. Knowing my target market and how to position my work became just as important as the designs themselves.

Having a mentor to keep me grounded was important, but having my family’s unwavering support lifted me when I felt like giving up. Looking back, I see how both perspectives—my family’s emotional foundation and my mentor’s practical guidance—have shaped my journey. They’ve helped me find the strength to keep pushing forward, no matter how tough the road became.

Of course, failure was part of the journey. When it first hit, I wasn’t prepared for the emotional weight of it. But I learned that failure is just as crucial as success, teaching me resilience and shaping who I am. Failure allowed me to reassess my business plan and strategy, to learn more about the fashion industry, how best to serve my customers, and the type of products that fit best. It was an opportunity to journey inward, leading to self-discovery. Through failure, I discovered my strengths and weaknesses. Failure taught me to celebrate my successes, big or small, as they are the fruit of my resilience.

In 2019, I decided to expand my operations. I opened a manufacturing facility in Nairobi, Kenya, and relocated there. At the time, I saw it as an opportunity to reduce production costs, provide manufacturing services to other designers in the fashion industry, and train local people. Everything was well-planned until COVID hit, disrupting everything and bringing financial uncertainty and insecurity. Soon, my business cash flow was affected, and I reached a point where I wanted to quit. I told my dad, "I’m tired; this isn’t for me." His own experience in business reminded me that failure isn’t the end—it’s a stepping stone. He said, "I’ve failed more times than I can count, but you have to keep going. You’ve put in years of effort—don’t waste it now." Those words stuck with me.

Life is all about finding balance—between strength and vulnerability, between work and personal life. It’s not always easy, but it’s essential. I seek fulfillment in both areas without allowing one to overshadow the other. As I continue this journey, I’ve realized that it’s okay to be tough and tender. It’s possible to be a businesswoman and a friend, a leader and a daughter, a creator and a caregiver. That’s the beauty of it all—finding balance and embracing every part of myself.

Did I always aspire to be a businesswoman? Not exactly. My first love was fashion design. In my last year of fashion school, my mind was filled with creativity, and I was completely focused on designing beautiful pieces. At that time, business wasn’t something I was thinking about. But here’s the thing—being a designer is just one part of the journey.

But that’s just my professional aspiration. Personally, it’s a different story. Part of my dream includes building a strong and supportive family. I believe true happiness comes from creating a home filled with love, mutual respect, and growth. It’s not about sharing the same goals or career paths but about fostering an environment where everyone can thrive together.

My family has been the foundation of everything I’ve done. They’ve influenced most paths I’ve taken, been part of my best moments, and are my rock during hard times. They are a source of emotional support, increasing my resilience, and the best place to celebrate when I succeed. Knowing that my family believes in me gives me the strength to keep moving forward. When I started my company in Chicago, my parents were thrilled—they were 100% behind me, full of enthusiasm and faith in my abilities. When I imagine the future, I see a perfect blend of family, work, and personal fulfillment—a home where love, success, and connection come together in harmony.

Navigating difficult times is essential because failure can sometimes push us into dark places. Many people wonder, "Where is God in those moments?" It’s a question that’s hard to answer when life feels heavy. But I hope to be someone who encourages others to keep going, even when they feel lost, and to remind them they are not alone.

One thing I’ve realized is that we have more control over our mental and spiritual well-being than we often acknowledge. We can choose to focus on joy or let despair take over. It’s not always easy, but it’s our choice to make. For instance, when someone is rude, you could allow it to ruin your day, or you could shift your mindset and realize that person might be fighting their own battles. That small shift in perspective can change everything.

Having faced tough times myself, I feel called to help others approach life with empathy. The challenges I’ve encountered have shown me that everyone carries hidden struggles, and it has sparked a desire in me to offer support where it's needed most. I’ve learned to pause, not let others’ actions dictate my emotions, and to choose compassion over anger. My goal is to share this wisdom—to teach others that even when life feels overwhelming, we have the power to change how we respond, and that simple change can make all the difference.

So, where is God in all of this? I believe He is present when we choose compassion instead of judgment, when we show kindness to ourselves and others. Even in the hardest times, when we feel most isolated, God is there. Whether it’s through a supportive friend, a kind stranger, or even the courage to say, "Tomorrow will be better," God works through the moments that encourage us to keep moving forward.

My hope is to inspire others to see that even in their most challenging moments, they can find strength and peace. We all face struggles, whether it's dealing with anxiety, feeling pressured, or trying to live up to expectations. But through it all, I believe God walks with us—in the confusion, in the messiness, and in those times when we feel most alone.