Today we’d like to introduce you to Danyelle Wilson.
Hi Danyelle, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
To introduce myself, close family and friends know me by Danyelle or Danni but on social media, I go by “Kwene Antwonise”, owner of Kwene Collection. As long as I can remember, I’ve always been fascinated with pictures. My first camera was given to me by my parents, a polaroid, at the age of 9. I remember thinking back then, the film was very expensive, so I had to make each photo count. For those that grew up with me, I’m usually the one in school with multiple disposable cameras, going to get them developed every week so my friends could have their pictures. The love of being able to capture timeless images stuck with me. My late father, LaDayne “LB” Wilson, would take me walking through Neylandville and he would photograph me enjoying the beautiful scenery. Some of our family members always called him to take pictures, so I would just tag along, amazed at the photos he would capture. He truly was a natural. Over time, once my mother got remarried, her and my stepfather created a company called ICU Videography and Photography, where my mother would take the pictures and my stepdad would do the video. As they got older, they started to love other things, so naturally, I ended up taking over what they started and making it my own.
Kwene Collection originally started as Ironically Seduced Images back in 2006. A friend of mine, while studying at TJC in Tyler, introduced me to Photoshop and I begin to learn slowly on my own. My son’s father use to host a lot of events and always needed flyers, so I remember putting some images together for the holidays for him to promote and he loved it. That’s where the company started. It began with flyers, invitations, business cards, or even image retouch. Still fascinated with photos and slowly taking over for my mom, in 2013 I did my first engagement photos for a very close friend. Unaware that the images would gain so much attention, the photography portion begin to get the exposure the company needed. Unfamiliar with the business aspects, as far as paperwork, I knew I needed to make the company official if I wanted to take it serious. In November of 2016, I relaunched the company as Kwene Collection, offering all services such as; graphic design and photography. Over the years I would begin to add other aspects, thanks to the help of my good friend, Matt Simpson, such as videography, program design, websites, and clothing.
In the present day, we recently just added the Digital Photo Booth to the company, that I run with my mother, LaShawn Gilbert, which includes; boomerang, GIF, Video, and of course photos at the time you take them. The events we’ve used the photo booth are impressed with the simplicity of the device and find themselves wanting to take multiple photos or videos. It’s definitely a tool that will take your event to the next level.
I look forward to creating other businesses with my company, so my son will have something to continue once I’m gone.
Alright, 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?
Anything that you start from the ground up always has its challenges. You have to learn through trial and error how to overcome every time. It also helps to seek wisdom from those that already have companies and may be able to shed light on how you too can be more successful. My biggest challenge would have been prioritizing what needs to be handled first with the business. Also trying to find balance with being a full-time single mom, running my business and now going back into the workforce makes me value time more than I have before. There is only 24 hours in a day, but still, it’s not enough for what I try to do. Another challenge is staying motivated through the rollercoaster of being a business owner. You can go from one week extremely busy to the next week having nothing at all. My biggest relief through it all is the custom creativity I surround myself with. That comes from multiple streams, whether it’s my close friend Matt, that pushes me pass my comfort zone, or my sisters from S.I.G (Sisterhood Investment Group) that drops continuous gems on how we can overcome any obstacle, manifest and daily affirmations. Speaking life into your dreams so they become reality is truly manifestation. You have to believe it in order to see it.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
My company can be considered an inclusive multimedia source. Our services range from photography, videography, graphic design, apparel, and now the Digital Photo Booth. Each service serves its own purpose. The love behind photos allows the photography portion to help with Weddings, Engagements, Family Portraits, Newborn Photos, Events, Boudoir, Birthday and so much more. The reason for being all-inclusive is to be able to come to one location and get everything you need to either start a business or upgrade your current business without having to use multiple outlets.
What makes our company different from the rest would be that we strive to provide the “Royaltee'” Experience. This means going above and beyond for the customer in showing that we are not satisfied until we have given them what they have asked for and more. It’s one thing to provide a service that anyone could do, but it’s the relationships you build with your clients in the process. Most of my clients now started with me when I first began in the early 2000s. That says a lot about a company as well as the loyal customers we have served over the years.
The thing I’m most proud of with my company is that we continue to add something new every year. We tried to stay on top of the supply and demand of our current industry and most of all, find ways to be more innovative with the times. My biggest accomplishment that we’ve had would have been the Boss Babe Showcase we hosted January 2020. This showcase brought women together who either had a business or in the process of starting one. I gave away headshots and interviews to each lady that participated, in hoping that would help expand or give them more exposure to others. With the help of Matt, Omega, and my cousin Elizabeth from E&E Designs, the event was a successful. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to do the edition for the men due to the pandemic, but I look forward in trying to bring both options back this upcoming year.
I also have a few individuals with my company called “The Sophisticated Subjects”. These individuals include Korey Larkins “The Turned Gentleman”, Bell Terrell “Infamous Bell”, Kawoina Jackson “Slay LaShay”, Jamahl Huey “Jah Hue”, Takeva Dean “Keva the Deava”, and Jayla Wilson “Jayla Mae”. Each person helps me build my portfolio while expressing creativity to take the shoots to the next level. They are who I shoot the most, when time permits, and they bring edge to each and every shoot. We haven’t done as many due to the pandemic, but I’m excited to recruit more subjects this year and see the progression of my current ones. They truly keep me humble.
Have you learned any interesting or important lessons due to the Covid-19 Crisis?
Biggest lesson during the pandemic would be to always perfect your craft. It gave me a lot of time to do tutorials, match up with others who were in the same field and most of all, not to take anything or anyone for granted, because in a blink of an eye, it could be gone. Things we didn’t think were important ended up being the things we needed, yet we took for granted over time. It also allowed me to refocus on what is important in my life as well as for my business. Procrastination will kill a dream if you allow it too. I will say the pandemic really took my business to another level. Just because I couldn’t shoot physically, doesn’t mean that I couldn’t be creative with my graphic work.
Contact Info:
- Email: kwenecollection@gmail.com
- Website: www.kwenecollection.com
- Instagram: @kwenecollection
- Facebook: @kwenecollection1
- Twitter: @kwenecollection
- Youtube: @kwenecollection
Image Credits
Kwene Collection Digital Photo Booth.
