![](https://voyagedallas.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/personal_photo-273-1000x600.jpg)
![](https://voyagedallas.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/personal_photo-273-1000x600.jpg)
Today we’d like to introduce you to Cherri Perkins.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I chose Dallas after graduating from Texas Tech University with a bachelor’s in Apparel Design. I had two internships after moving here, and shortly after, I realized working for someone else’s design company was not my passion. After countless hours of job searching, I decided to switch career fields into something had a much bigger passion for, fitness. I landed my first personal training job at the gym I was a member of Texas Family Fitness. As my desire for helping others learn to live a healthy lifestyle grew, so did my dream of being a business owner. My clients knew of my background in fashion, and were always asking me to design something that “looked good on them” or “fit the right places”. Thus, Built in Beauty was born. I left Texas Family Fitness in April of 2016 to pursue my independent training and focus on my clothing line. However, out of sheer fear and lack of funds, I held off on Built in Beauty for over a year. Fast forward to July 2017, I had enough of letting my fears hold me back from my dream. I put my head down and got to work on my initial collection, which I launched three months later in October.
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Ha! Smooth is the last word I would use for the road I’ve been on. It’s been a bumpy road since day one. In school, I wasn’t taught the first thing about owning your own clothing line, only how to work for one. That being said, I had to maneuver my way around finding a manufacturer, and once I found them, making sure they follow my deadlines (that struggle was real). Another struggle I’ve found is marketing your brand. Once you have exhausted your list of people you know, you have to find those that do not know you exist. It is probably one of the biggest obstacles I’ve had thus far. If you are a woman trying to pursue her own business, my advice to you would be to NEVER GIVE UP. Seems cliche to say, but once you push past that debilitating fear of failure, something great will come of it.
what should we know about Built in Beauty? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Built in Beauty is a women’s activewear line designed to build confidence, create a positive mentality and help women find the beauty within themselves. I am proud of what my brand stands for in that it can help empower women in and out of the gym. If my clothes can change even one woman’s perspective of herself, I have made a huge difference in someone’s life. My brand is all about women feeling confident and proud to be who she is. A lot of brands have popped up with the same concept, but I think Built in Beauty is different because my clothes are made for every woman, and the designs help hide certain parts she is insecure about, but will one day learn to love about herself.
Do you have a lesson or advice you’d like to share with young women just starting out?
At first, you may not have a clear view of what it is you want to do, and you may completely change careers paths along the way. It’s fine! If I found a design firm to work for after college, I would not be as happy as I am today or found my passion for helping women love their bodies through fashion and fitness. My point is find something you love and work for it. Use the talents you were given when looking or starting your career.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.builtinbeauty.com
- Email: hello@builtinbeauty.com
- Instagram: built_in_beauty
- Facebook: builtinbeauty
- Twitter: built_in_beauty
Image Credit:
Francisco Escamilla
Getting in touch: VoyageDallas is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.