Whether you’re an aspiring designer yourself or just a fashion-lover that wants to know the musings of one of fashion’s most popular, keep reading for Sorojah’s take on our questions about Fashion, Business, and Personal!
I am a 24-year-old full-time mom working from home for my small business as a fashion designer. I started my brand Sorojah Design Haus as my outlet to connect my passion to my career, to be a designer was always a dream of mine. Fashion was a big part of my childhood, growing up in a single-parent household there weren’t many activities to do outside of home or school with my mother always being at work. I became obsessed with playing with my Bratz dolls, dressing them to be exact. I would host small “fashion shows” with friends in my neighborhood and pretend they were strutting the runway in my pieces. My late great grandmother taught me how to hand stitch as a little girl, we would sew pillows together. That is when I discovered how to create something to my liking just by using the right fabric. I grew up in West palm beach, FL, and eventually moved to Rhode Island to start high school.
”Designing and styling was always my way out of feeling poverty-stricken, I was able to make the most out of my confidence just by what I was wearing.”
My curiosity for the industry became stronger as I grew older, I went to a private high school that focused solely on the students’ career vs academics. It gave me the chance to indulge in every aspect of fashion as my career. I was an intern for a local fashion designer (Queen of hearts) in RI. I attended Teen Vogue’s fashion university for online fashion bloggers (I ran a fashion blog at the time), took 12+ art RISD courses as an HS student, and took sewing classes to better my skills. After high school, I moved to Los Angeles and attended the Academy Of Arts for Fashion marketing, which pushed me further into my career in fashion. I knew if I combined my passion with my skills I could eventually profit from doing what I love, 2 years later here we are!
What do you love about being a fashion designer?
I love having the opportunity to express my creativity through different textures and fabrics. I love being able to contribute to one’s confidence, and helping others feel empowered through my pieces. It is my passion, nothing makes me feel happier to do what I love every day. It is a very detailed career choice but it is something I have felt drawn to since I was little. Designing is what makes me feel like my most authentic self, I feel most in my power when I create.
According to you, what are the skills that are necessary for becoming a successful fashion designer?
I think having both a detailed and quality vision is a necessary skill. Knowing how to fabric scout for your theme, and keeping a business mindset. It’s important to make room to learn! I’ve grown to understand that I am constantly learning in this industry. Pattern making, cutting + sewing, and basic computer skills are a huge plus. Fashion illustration can help you organize a design before you create it so there is less room for mistakes whether you’re sketching on pad and paper or using designing software. A successful fashion designer is a confident one, if you believe in your product then the right audience will believe in it too.
What is a skill you think all women should learn and why?
Having a hustler mentality! I’ve gone through things that have taught me how important it is to not rely on anyone but YOURSELF. Growing up my father lived in the UK while my mother took care of the household on her own all while working a full-time job, the epitome of I’ll do it myself! That has stuck with me. Take pride in being independent! Whether you are committed to someone, or its family helping you. You came here with your own path and purpose, never expect others to take you to your destination in life only you can do that! You can let others help, but have your own!
How do you stay motivated?
One of my favorite quotes “Visualize your highest self, then start showing up as her” -Unknown.
Nothing motivates me more than having a little one, I get up in the morning with every reason to keep going the moment I see my son!
In other ways I’ve replaced pessimism with optimism, I’ve replaced fear with faith, reading motivational books consistently, watching billionaire interviews, creating mood boards, you name it! I also create a monthly personal and business goal for myself, it helps me focus on my desires while expressing my gratitude. The understanding of how manifestation works has motivated me to do all things that align with what I desire to attain in my reality.
How do you start your day?
Firstly, I wake up and thank GOD with prayer! I then get both myself and my little one ready for the day while listening to Jason Stephenson’s “I AM” affirmations. I like to eat something very light before I go for a morning run. I jog every other morning specifically in nature, it’s always been a strict part of my routine. Once I return home in time before my husband leaves for work I have my actual breakfast and write in my gratitude journal. Some days I wake up and do yoga and meditate afterward. It’s important to take care of your health, whether mental and or physical. I’ve always loved doing things that can help me be better. Your body is your machine, your mind is your magnet, treat them well!
After my morning routine, I go to work in my home office and start with my list of tasks for the day and go on from there.
Who has been your own biggest mentor and what is the best advice they have ever given you?
My longtime friend turned mentor Samson who owns a manufacturing company! I’ve known him before his success and he has given me many pieces of advice that has stuck with me, I’ll list a few:
- Never give up on your dreams.
- Surround yourself with people who are of a higher status than you, you cannot acquire the knowledge of success from peers who have not been where you are trying to go.
- Read! You should always be a sponge for knowledge, never stop learning.
- Lastly, there is no right or wrong, do only what you think is for your highest good.
I literally have these written down! Grateful to have him as a mentor.
My mom is also a big spiritual mentor of mine, she’s my reminder to stay grounded as I expand in life.
Busy startup entrepreneurs have lots of demands on their time and are often pulled in lots of different directions, do you have any tips for effective time management and what to focus on first?
“Do not dwell on the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present.” – Buddha
Creating a daily list of tasks and checking them off as you go can help you organize. If you are starting up your business try to handle all of your legal duties before anything, that is something I had to learn the hard way. Registering your business name, Seller’s Permit, Business bank accounts, etc. Research your target audience, market your company/brand with a theme that is eye-catching and unique, and as cliche as it sounds try not to take on too many projects at once. If you feel stuck on something while working, move onto something else until you are ready, this will leave no room for procrastination. Also do not focus on your sales! When you start a new business venture it’s very easy to get discouraged when you don’t see a fast flow of sales for what you are selling, understand that it takes time. You will eventually profit from sales, but do not let that stop your consistency, work on your craft in the meantime and things will fall into place little by little!
What tips do you have for those who want to renew their life as in a new job, moving, etc?
Renewing is exciting! I think it’s important that you always focus on your main goal at hand and know why you are making this big change, do everything for your greatest good. Cancel out all things that do not serve you whether it is toxic friends, a toxic environment, or negative people! Renewing something in life is a chance to have a fresh start that will help clear your path, don’t look back to your past to validate your mistakes! I also think something that has helped me is to not fear the judgment of others, you are here to live life for you and no one else. You don’t owe anyone anything besides being the best version of yourself. Lastly, have a plan, and a backup plan.
How do you improve your financial knowledge?
Listening to financial podcasts while driving, Budgeting, balancing my personal and business expenses, and talking to a financial professional! There are many ways to improve your financial knowledge. I have learned that money is energy, it’s all about the frequency you vibrate on a daily basis. I carry a pyrite crystal in my wallet to attract money and abundance, and saying money mantras daily! There are many videos on Youtube that help improve your financial knowledge such as Financial Times, MoneyTalks News, The Financial Diet, and Ryan Scribner to name a few. I take at least 3 hours out of my work week to improve my financial knowledge consistently, it really helps!
Tell us about your proudest achievement?
Having the courage to start my business doing what I love and turning it into my career is one of my proudest achievements while being a full time mom. I am proud of myself for upholding the standard of working only for myself. I’ve worked 9-5’s most of my life and I am now able to set the value of my work to my liking and profit from it. This is only the beginning and it’s such a beautiful start, I’m honored to have my first interview with @Womenontopp.
And to anyone reading, You are solid just as you are, do whatever makes YOU happy!
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