I graduated from the University of Arizona and got right into the fashion industry. I began my career as the Beauty, Cosmetics, Skincare + Home and Gift buyer for Kitson LA and after 2 years, I left to learn more about women's fashion. It was at Forever 21 that I become a Merchandiser, Senior Buyer and Product Developer for their Global Women’s Apparel department. My work has been featured on Vogue.com, WhoWhatWear, Buzzfeed, Refinery29, Jimmy Kimmel, and on the apps of Kylie Jenner & Kim Kardashian. In October 2015, I launched SHE JUST KNOWS™ as a way to share what inspires me and to encourage others to trust their guts when it comes to decision making. With an audience of over 50k followers on social media and hundreds of subscribers to my monthly trend forecast, my influence is now global. I always knew I would have my own business, I just didn’t know exactly what it would be or when I would launch it. I absolutely loved my position as a senior buyer, but was ready for something new and something I could do on my own. After I left my job, I reached out to people asking what they could use my help with (based on the things I knew I was good at and could offer). Everyone came back and said social media, so that’s what I did! I listened closely to exactly what people needed from me and built my business on that. I’ve always loved all things social media related, and my work was benefitting other peoples’ businesses - it was a win win.
What were the biggest initial hurdles to building your business and how did you overcome them?
Figuring out how to deal with finances! Taxes, all of that. Also, I had to realize that I was going to be alone a lot of the time, which is still a struggle. I try to get out of the house at least a few hours a day so I don’t feel totally secluded.
Did you ever deal with contention from your family and friends concerning your entrepreneurial pursuits?
How did you handle it? What would you do differently in hindsight?
In the beginning, my then-boyfriend, now husband, was concerned with how I was going to make money (and pay my portion of the rent). For whatever reason, I just knew I would be fine and kept reassuring him of that, which is easier said than done. I just knew I would be ok, and wouldn’t stop working hard until I was. When he saw that my business was actually working and successful, he changed his tune. I wouldn’t have done anything differently.
What would you say was the single most influential factor in your business success?
Working smart. Trusting my gut.
What do you know today that you wish you would have known when you first got started as an entrepreneur?
That losing a client isn’t the end of the world. I would freak out every time, but in the end, I always got a new one to replace them, or even two or three to replace them. I was never in as bad of a situation as I let myself think I was, which is probably what kept me motivated to keep hustling.
What advice would you give to an upcoming young and old entrepreneur locally and internationally?
Make sure your business is that you love and are good at. The combination is key.
