Today we’d like to introduce you to TraMel Harrell.
Hi TraMel, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers?
I have always been into fashion. My father used to dress me in designer ties and suits when I was younger. I had a double-breasted suit at like 4! My parents were two different breeds of fashion. My dad was more flamboyant and colorful, but my mom was more in-tune with basic colors and coordination. I am a combination of the two. I know when to turn it on, and when to turn it off. Sometimes I will be the loudest dressed person in the room or the most conservative. I tend to lean to my wild side though lol! I really didn’t come into my own style until after college honestly. When I started making more money and being exposed to different styles, it opened my mind to the limitless possibilities of fashion. I actually started Knot Happy based on having limitless possibilities in fashion! I was tired of wearing the same bowties that anyone could get at the same stores where I shopped. So, it just clicked on that day to start my own bowtie business! Yes, it was that random lol! I felt that I had the style and mindset to be successful at selling bowties! I was actually right because my first vending event was a success!
Now to be honest my first bowties were pretty bad, but I was inspired because people really responded well to my out-of-the-box creations. So, I just used this as fuel to design more bowties, but refine my quality in the meantime. Over the years, I have had people from all walks of life to wear my creations. I have created pieces for weddings, celebrities, athletes, prominent figures, and etc. I am most proud of the fact that anybody can wear Knot Happy. Knot Happy really brings to life the essence of a statement piece! Knot Happy is all about not being happy with looking like or doing what everybody else is doing. Knot Happy is all about being who you were designed to be. We let all of our customers know that they are unique just like their Knot Happy piece.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Heck no it has not been smooth! I have had a lot of ups and downs! First of all, I didn’t know anything about running a business! I just jumped out there and started a business lol! Now I am all for jumping out there, but you need to have some sort of a plan lol! I just jumped and felt everything would fall in place. That is not how business works. If I had a plan of some sort, I probably would have saved a few thousand dollars. I didn’t know where to put my money. For instance, I should have put a lot of money into branding and marketing to really get going. I was still into meeting people and selling face to face. Now don’t get me wrong this is important but, the world around us was moving to a digital space. Then when covid hit, it just all went south. I was like what am I going to do now. I knew I wasn’t going to quit because I had invested so much. I just knew I had to pivot in some way. So, all in all, I did things a little backwards. I just took it as a learning experience. My experience can help the next entrepreneur be great and avoid my mistakes.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
So, I do a multitude of things. I am a busy body. My heart of hearts belongs to fashion and music, but by day I am an IT guru (slightly). I went to school for computers and electronics to fund my entrepreneur aspirations. My mother told me that I had to do something, and I figured I needed to pick something that I could always make money at. I used to tear up all of my electronics as a kid. So, this profession made sense lol. Technology runs the world, and I do my part to keep it running!
I am most proud of the fact that God has enabled me to balance all of my talents and profession at the same time. Sometimes I feel like my head is going to pop off, but God makes it work. I think the thing that sets me apart is that I really want to see people win in life. So, I do my best to encourage people to embrace who they really are. I do this within fashion, music, my profession, and everyday life. I strive at providing the best customer service in every facet of my life.
Can you talk to us a bit about the role of luck?
I don’t really feel like it has been luck. I believe that God has blessed my hard work and determination to be successful. I have had times when I have gave my all and failed, but in those moments I learned. There has been so much that has happened in this world and around me, that I am grateful for all experiences. I just pray that God gives me the patience, mindset, and wisdom to make it through the good and bad times. I have made plenty of mistakes in life and business, but you cannot turn back the hands of time. You can only move forward.
Contact Info:
- Email: tramel@knothappy.com
- Website: www.knothappy.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theknothappy
