Today, we’d like to introduce you to Dequindra Brightman. Dequindra was introduced to us by the brilliant and talented Ayanna Jones.
Hi Dequindra, we’re so thrilled to have you sharing your story with us today. Maybe we can kick things off by having you introduce yourself to our readers? We’d love to have you go into your story and how you got to where you are today.
I always knew I wanted to do something with fashion. I loved watching music videos just to see what they were wearing, I watched fashion shows and kept up with my favorite designers. I loved the patterns, different fabrics, colors, outrageous looks some people thought were ugly. I was known for having a different sense of style. Who would have known people would love it. I just went with my mood for that day. What I thought was simple and cheap people thought it was fire. I was the go-to person in high school and after high school for fashion advice and helping my friends and family pick outfits for special occasions. Fast forward to 2016 I started showcasing my fashion looks on social media and most of my followers gravitated towards my style. I got a lot of inquiries for styling, and styling advice. The love I got opened my eyes so I started to play around with different things dealing with fashion to see what my calling was. I feel God has a plan for everyone and our assignment is to go get it because it will never come to you. In 2017 I started doodling and making sketches of designs I had in my head. My co-workers would always say you should turn this into a business. I just would laugh not knowing my potential. What I thought was a hobby people really loved it and that motivated me to think bigger. For so long I sat on my dreams waiting for a miracle to materialize. I had to learn that simply waiting won’t open the door. The magnitude of your blessings requires you to put in the work, exercise your faith, and most importantly, have the discipline to sustain what you’re asking for. Fast forward to 2019 I finally stepped out on faith and got out of my own way and took the leap to start my own business and start selling clothes that would eventually help me start my own line someday. When I first started I worked off cash app. I didn’t know anything about business. I just depended on my passion for what I was doing. I took my business seriously, and I also wanted people to take me serious. I knew I didn’t want to work off cash app forever so I eventually got my website done by Tay Harris. Created my logo, email, and took care of everything I needed to, to run a professional business. My first two years was amazing, and a lot of work. There is still work to do. The hardest thing to do was start and I am so grateful I did. Although being an Entrepreneur has its high and lows, it’s the best thing that I could have done.
Please tell us more about your brand, Elayors Closet
I have a clothing boutique called Elayors Closet. I sell ready-to-wear clothing. My pieces are beautiful. I put thought into all of my items. I first think about, What do people look for when they are going out? How can it be styled? Can it be dressed up or dressed down? I know Everyone is different so I wanted to make sure I let it be known that there is no right or wrong way our items can be worn. I give out fashion tips on how it can be worn. How you can mix and match it and so on. I think connecting with my ECBABES community sets me apart I don’t just sell clothes just to say I’m selling something. I take pride in what I do. I love helping women feel included, beautiful, confident, sexy, and comfortable with just being themselves. I am proud of the support/ love we get from different states. We are very thankful for anyone who has ever liked, reposted, shared, or even talked about Elayors Closet.
So, as we mentioned to our audience earlier, you were introduced to us by Ayanna Jones and Shop Chef AJ and we really admire them and what they’ve built. For folks who might not be as familiar, can you tell them a bit about your experience with Ayanna and Shop Chef AJ.
My experience with Chef Aj has been one I will never forget. We met each other at the beginning of it all. We were young trying to figure out what it was we were meant to do in life. She was one out of many who would tell me to go for it No matter what people thought about it. And she supported my every move. And vice versa I did the same for her. She always loved cooking. I use to get salty at the sign she had in her house “ if your skinny don’t cook in my kitchen “ . Her goofy spirit lights up the room. She has one of the best Guacamole dips I’ve ever tasted. I started to think she actually put her feet in it. We both left our jobs around the same time and that’s when we started to really focus on our careers and future. She went to culinary school to become a better chef. She always talked about having her own chef business years ago and now she is doing everything she said she would she even travels for paid events now. She also did her own event last year and it was EPIC and her food was Slapping! She is well known for her jerk seasonings, jerk chicken and vegan fries. All three are my favorites. She has also taught me different dishes and some of her tricks that I use today when I’m cooking. I’ve watched her grow from just working not knowing what her next move was to making moves with her business. She always has a smile on her face no matter what test comes her way. And she loves helping others, and she goes above and beyond to make sure people’s needs are met. What makes her a great chef you might ask? She is goal-driven, organized, determined, patient, dependable, and self-sufficient.
Instagram: https://instagram.com/elayors_closet?utm_medium=copy_link
Facebook: Elayors Closet
Image Credits
file:///var/mobile/Library/SMS/Attachments/98/08/0A5C0780-30C7-4D6D-BBB1-6B04B015AEFB/elayor’s.JPG
