Today we’d like to introduce you to Kimberly Joseph.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I think I have had a natural ability to sew from a very young age. Both of my grandmothers were seamstresses in the early 1940’s through the 80’s. As a young child growing up in NJ, I watched my grandmother make beautiful prom gowns. I remember looking at pictures of my mom as a child and being told that my grandmother made all of their clothes. She even made my mothers wedding gown in 1974 that I have hanging in my closet today. Even though they had very little money, my grandmother made sure that her children were well dressed. Always took pride in that fact. My mom made a few things when I was a kid like my Halloween costumes, Christmas stockings, and Christmas tree skirts. In every house of my childhood, there was a sewing machine.
In the 8th grade, I remember taking a home economics class and learning the basics of cooking and sewing. I enjoyed it but never took a real interest in the craft. Fast forward thirty plus years. Seven years ago, my husband and I drove across country with my six-month-old son, cat, and dog and landed in Dallas, TX. I was a stay at home mom for six years. During that time, I had my second child and as a result of a very hard pregnancy developed postpartum depression. For four years, I struggled with finding something for me. That something that every therapist says you need to do for yourself to bring you joy, balance, and purpose. I struggled daily. Life was just too much. I was home alone caring for two young children with no family or support system while my husband went off to work. In 2016, my husband lost his job. I was literally asking God what else could possibly go wrong.
Then, one day, I got a flyer in the mail for the father-daughter dance. I wanted my daughter to experience this special occasion but we didn’t have any money for a dress. On a whim, I decided to sew her a gown and make my husband a matching bow tie. I had not had any formal sewing training and even with a Masters degree, I could not read the pattern to save my life. However, I was determined and after two days, I managed to make the cutest dress for the perfect little girl to wear. The feeling I got from sewing was one that I had not felt in a long time. It gave me a sense of accomplishment, pride, and purpose. It also made me feel a connection to my late grandmothers that I could not describe. I made that dress in December of 2016.
Due to my husband’s job loss, I had put my resume back out there and in January of 2017, I went back to work full time. I still managed to sew every chance I got. I loved the feeling of creating and I felt more myself than I had felt in a long time. I was finally finding my balance. I still worked full time, took care of my husband and my children but sewing was all for me and it was the best thing ever. I was finally taking time for me. It wasn’t until early 2018 that I took a leap of faith and decided to start working on my brand. Now, by day, I am a program specialist working to provide services for children with special needs in a local school district, but by night I am the proud owner and creator of Anaya Grace Designs.
The name is taken from two people that inspire me to live my best life. Anaya is my daughter’s middle name which means “full of Grace” and Grace was my grandmother’s name. With every stitch, I sew I feel the spirit of my grandmother guiding me and the encouragement of my daughter who is only six but my biggest self-esteem booster on the planet. I still consider myself a novice sewist but I am working my way to calling myself a real seamstress.
I love fabrics of all types but the vibrant patterns of African Ankara fabrics are my favorite. Over the last year, I started making skirts, dresses, dashiki shirts, and accessories such as bow ties, infinity scarves, neckties, head wraps, bags, and earrings. I love making matching outfits for my family and now and then I get special orders to make items for friends. To strengthen my skills, I have a group of sewing sisters that I sew with monthly. Instagram has been my main platform but I plan to launch an Etsy shop online by the end of the year. My goal is to one day be able to sew full time and make Anaya Grace Designs a household name in fashion.
Has it been a smooth road?
I would say that the main struggle for me is time. Working full time and having two young children limit the amount of hours I can commit to sewing. However, I am a firm believer that you make time for what is important and what you want to do so I would categorize time as an internal struggle. The external struggle now is branding and taking my love of sewing to the next step. I post on Facebook and Instagram but reaching a broader audience and getting customers is proving to be a challenge.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Anaya Grace Designs – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of and what sets you apart from others.
Anaya Grace Designs is a 100% handmade in America business. Each garment or accessory that I make has been sewn by my hands from start to finish in my sewing studio in my home. I specialize in matching skirts and bow ties but I can make any custom request. I am most proud that I put my heart in each item I make and pay attention to each detail. One of my sayings is “Made with love and Grace.” What sets me apart from others is that I make my garments to a client’s exact measurements for a perfect fit. I also use unique patterns that can not be found in any mall or boutique in the Dallas area. No two pieces will ever be exactly the same.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
I love that Dallas is multicultural. From the moment we moved here, we started attending festivals that celebrate people from all over the world. It is safe, fun, and family oriented. I also love the weather. I am from the East coast where we get lots of snow and it is cold for six months out of every year. Here, in the Dallas area, we may get two months of colder weather but even then, it’s not that bad. The weather here allows us to take advantage of being out in nature. Museums, parks, and rec centers are great for people of all ages and it is a very clean city. I would say the thing I like least about Dallas is the vast difference in resources provided to the areas that are considered low economic status. Thankfully, there are wonderful community members that host free events so that all people can have equal access to cultural events.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.anayagracedesigns.wordress.com
- Phone: 972-853-1835
- Email: AnayaGraceDesigns@gmail.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/anayagracedesigns
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/sewhappy29
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/Sew_Graceful
Image Credit:
Lindsey Buerger Photography
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