Today we’d like to introduce you to Akellia Stewart.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I got my first start from a good friend who happened to play for the NFL. He challenged me as an artist to step outside my comfort zone by creating a custom shoe for him. I haven’t stopped since it’s been eight years of doing what I love. I’ve traveled to different places and have been featured at various events based on my custom shoe designs that I have done for many athletes and celebrities. That one opportunity blessed me.
Has it been a smooth road?
There were many struggles from balancing being a single mother to working full time in the medical field. My schedule was wake up, get my son ready for school, work 10 hours at my job and continue being mom after work. After my son would go to bed, I would work on my shoes. Somewhere in that crazy schedule, I managed to get in 5 hours of sleep. But I would wake up the next day and do it all over again. There was no me time, no hanging with friends. My weekend was my time for my shoes. I even worked on shoes during my lunch break so I could make my deadlines. I wanted to make sure my clients were satisfied and my work spoke for itself.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the CustomsByAK story. Tell us more about the business.
CustomsByAk is a Custom Shoe Company. I bring creative art styles to shoes. Clients have the option of designing a theme or have me freestyle a design. With this option, I use the client’s style and interests to develop a design. This is what I’m most known for my creative, freestyle designs. I use different elements like grass, flowers, even objects on the shoe. But what I’m most proud of with CustomsByAk is the ability to give back to others through charities and mentoring opportunities to help youth learn what I do and train them on entrepreneurship.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
CustomsByAk will have major shifts coming. There we be classes to learn how to customize shoes and create your own business. There will be mentoring for high school kids in different areas in Dallas. There will also be more pop-up and collaboration events to come.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.customsbyak.com
- Email: info@customsbyak.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/customsbyak_
- Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/customsbyaks
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