Today we’d like to introduce you to Morai Elise.
Hi Morai, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
About a year before the pandemic, I had been building a 10-year career with a company till I realized that I wasn’t fully living in my purpose. I knew I had many talents, but I had never believed that they could take me to the places I have been.
That year I decided to revisit my natural-born talents and began painting again. I wanted to use my artistic gift to create art that represented the beauty and strength of black women and men. After participating in a multitude of successful art shows, I decided to leave my career to pursue art full-time where I would end up partnering with charitable causes, selling art to businesses and well know individuals in the entertainment industry. While finally finding success and booking a year of events, auctions, and art shows, the devastation of covid shutting down the world took a huge hit to my new entrepreneurial journey as an independent artist.
I still wanted to use my artistic ability to pour back into my community, so I decided to redirect my talents towards a new cause. I used my digital illustration skills to create positive images, and animations for young black girls that led to the birth of my brand, Lil Sista Gurls™. After receiving positive feedback on how it was impacting and helping young girls, I then decided to launch my first products of confidence-building coloring books and journals that are now available in retail shops across the country.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It hasn’t been a smooth road! Having the capital to start a new business and maintain working capital for Lil Sista Gurls™ has been a struggle with the ebbs and flow of learning the business. As year 3 approaches with the business, the newest challenge is probably the growth of the business and still being a one-woman show. I hope to be able to hire a team in the near future in order to scale to larger heights.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I’m a disciplinary artist who specializes in traditional and digital art. I’m known for my brand, Lil Sista Gurls™, and my visual artworks that are represented in homes and local businesses in the DFW area.
I’m most proud of the growth within the early stages of being in business. I have created strong retail partnerships with The Black Hair Experience which are currently sold in their retail spaces in Atlanta, DMV, California, and in Houston. You can also find Lil Sista Gurls on Amazon and Walmart.com!
With all the hard work, sweat, and tears, Lil Sista Gurls won bronze placement for the kid’s division on the 2021 Best in DFW list! Being recognized by the community and helping young girls with their confidence has been the most rewarding.
What sets me apart is my passion behind everything I create. Making an impact for the next generation is very important to me and I have every intention to use my gifts to do that.
Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
Man! I am so fortunate to have had the support and love shown for the work that I have done. My family continues to give me the biggest support by helping with the business in any way that they can. I am so grateful to have my parents and sister in my corner.
There is this saying that I see floating around the entrepreneur space that states, “strangers will support your business before friends and family”, and I have had the complete opposite experience. When I launched my first coloring book, I had over 100 of my former classmates support and purchase a coloring book! My friends and family have been the most supportive and I couldn’t be more grateful for the encouraging start to my business!
My biggest advocate and cheerleader has been Shayla Kelley. She has always pushed me to use my artistic skills even before I had the desire to do so. She continues to be a voice in my ear and a supporter in my corner, constantly encouraging me and advising me of all the great things I should pursue.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.lilsistagurls.com and www.moraiartstudios.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/locsiren and www.instagram.com/lilsistagurls
- Other: linktr.ee/locsiren
