Entrepreneur of the Month: Jessica Williams
- Christen
- Mar 1, 2018
- 7 min read
It's funny how Jessica and I met...
I was doing social media for the Stylist United IG page (a styling group that I was in) at the time and came across a picture of Evelyn Lozada wearing a gray suit. But it wasn't just any gray suit. It was like a knit material with a blazer and matching pant that flared. I immediately clicked on the tagged boutique and discovered Irregular Exposure.
Fast forward to the day Stylist United was launching and I needed a top to wear with my outfit. As a group, we had all agreed to wear the color red to look cohesive. So, I ordered this bomb ass red suit from Missguided for only $60 (it was on sale) and I needed something to bring it all together. I had my heart set on a red, lace bodysuit I saw on the Irregular Exposure IG page, but didn't have enough time to order it. Of course I waited until the last minute so I had no choice but to make a trip to the store. The boutique was fairly new at the time and I was excited to finally be able to check it out.
I made my way to the boutique and immediately spotted the body suit as soon as I walked in. I was also excited to meet Jessica, the owner. I had been following her and her brand for quite some time by this point and was inspired by all her success. We started talking and immediately clicked. I had already knew a little about her I.E Fashion Academy Program and was eager to know more. I was (and still am) in need of a business coach so I scheduled a discovery call with her and the rest was history.
Q: What sparked your interest in fashion Design?
J: My Grandmother who is an experienced seamstress, used to design my sister’s and cousin’s prom gowns. I remember how amazing it made them feel! I was immediately inspired and began sewing in 2004. That summer, my mother who is a RN found a great opportunity for me! She enrolled me in the NAACP Youth Entrepreneurship Program. To enter the program, you had to have a business idea. That was the moment Irregular Exposure was born! I began designing for my camp mates and then went on to win "Most Creative Student" at the end of the program.
Q: When did you know your business was ready to transition into a store front?
J: Honestly, God told me it was time. I used to be a know it all and very “my way or the high way!” LOL! I remember I had my entire life mapped out but in 2015, I surrendered my business to God and asked him to order my steps. Immediately, I began receiving signs and words from him showing me I was in the right place at the right time. In 2017, I remember waking up one day and thinking, “ You have to open a store!” It was never a big goal of mine to have a store however, I listened to God and this journey has been the biggest blessing ever! I also felt that I was finally in a space where I had the correct team to support me on this journey. Baltimore is a very small city with a bad rep so I wanted my city to have something high end. My team and I always say, “We are the Baltimore Gucci!” LOL! We wanted to create an experience for women in Baltimore! We offer our customers wine and water when shopping and all customers receive a hand written thank you card. We appreciate every person that shops and we make it known!
Q: What is one of your biggest accomplishments thus far?
J: Reaching 6 figures in my business by age 25. This was something I knew was instilled in me but to see it happen within my own business was major. I will be 27 this year and I am still progressing. One thing I have learned is that a team is a requirement and I am blessed to have help!
Q: Who or what inspires you to keep going?
J: My mother is my inspiration. She suffers from MS and has been my “why" forever! She is so strong and positive and it has pushed me to not complain and be a go-getter. I do for her so she can relax and enjoy life as much as possible. My family is my everything.
Q: What are some of your favorite apps that keep you and your business organized?
J: I don’t use a lot of apps for organization. We use sales force as a great CRM system! I love quick books as well for money management however, I live off my calendar and our CRM system! I am also big on writing things down old school.
Q: When did you know it was time to quit your job and pursue your dream as an entrepreneur full-time?
J: I had prayed to God to show me the way. In January 2013, I decided to give my Supervisor 2 weeks notice to pursue my fashion career full time. I had just signed a lease on a new office for clients to pickup prom dresses. All through college, I worked retail and also continued designing for clients so I had built up a pretty steady income and clientele by then. My boss at the time told me that " I was crazy! I was on the road to making $80,000 a year soon!" Well, I fell for it and stayed at the job part time while designing only 4 days a week. It was a lot to juggle so I ended up giving most of my energy to that 9-5 again and I returned to full time in August 2013. Well rewind a bit, it was in 2011 that I lost my Dad unexpectedly and it changed me forever. My Dad was the funniest man in the world and he lovessss his "Baby J!" So my dad still comes to me in my dreams a lot! December 2013, he visited me in my dreams! In the dream, I was opening a store across from the hospital he passed away in. All of my family and friends were arriving to my grand opening but I was right next door at my 9-5 as a property manager! My office (9-5 job) was so swamped with home tours that I ended up missing the grand opening of my store! When I finally clocked out from my 9-5, I rushed next door to greet my loved ones and celebrate! Well guess what, they all were upset and leaving! EVERYONE LEFT! I WAS TOO LATE! The only person that was still there was my Dad! He said to me, "I can't believe you! Working this job knowing you are supposed to be here! You know it!" I woke up and was never the same! I immediately began doing research and found a business coach and 2 other black women that were well respected in the fashion industry. I told all 3 of these women, I NEED HELP! 2 out of the 3 women didn't even know who I was and didn't offer a big mentor ship program. I asked could I shadow, assist and if they could customize a program for me. I saved my money, paid my business coach, wholesale mentor and manufacturing mentor! IT WAS NOT CHEAP BUT I GOT IT BACK A MILLION TIMES OVER! Within 4 months of investing in myself, I was making $12,000 a month, then $22,000 a month, then $30,000 a month!!!! I had already had so many great relationships and experiences but I needed help with understanding the profit I had showed my collection in NYC Fashion Week in 2014 and even won awards but I was't making money.
It wasn't until APRIL 2016 I left that 9-5 job for good!!!! I had saved some money but not much and I went into wholesale and manufacturing full time! I then launched the IE Fashion Academy soon after!
Q: When did you know if was time for you to invest in a business coach?
J: I knew I was sick and tired of working my 9-5 but I also realized I needed help! I can’t do it all alone! God gave us all gifts to share with people! So I hired 3 business coaches. One specialized in Fashion Wholesale, the other in manufacturing and the other in business start up ethics. Since leaving my job, I haven’t been without a coach yet.
Q: What do you spend most of your leisure time doing?
J: What leisure time? LOL! Honestly I don’t relax much but I am working on it. I do love to enjoy family time and relax with my boyfriend. I love to travel! I love getting away!
Q: If you were to pursue another dream of yours, what would it be?
J: Dance because I am secretly Beyonce’s backup dancer! No really I have been looking into classes in LA so I will be starting dance classes in the summer. It seems so relaxing and like a fun way to workout. Furthermore, I am entering into the world of real estate investing this year. My brother, who is a successful investor is assisting me with buying my first LA based rental property so I will be bi-coastal this year to prep.
Q: What do you know now that you wish you knew back when you were starting off?
J: Listen to God and when he speaks, put it all on the line! There is no way to take a safe leap of faith! You either trust the process or you don’t! I was attempting to be comfortable and that isn’t how it works. You have to bet it all on you! I will bet on me every time! What’s the worst that can happen? Then consider if it goes right, what can happen.
"Be a feminist. Be confident. Expose your Irregular."
All looks styled by SophisticatedChic
Designer: Irregular Exposure
Photographer: Nandi Henderson @millimetervisuals MUA: Trinity @Trindingtopic
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