Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in personal development but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Lenese Griffin, Founder of LC Apparel Consulting, located in Brooklyn, NY, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Company Philosophy and Vision: Educate and develop black and brown apparel designers and accessories brands on product development and manufacturing in the USA and overseas with a focus on quality and diversifying all apparel and accessory categories. The vision of LC Apparel Consulting is to increase the visibility and revenue of black & brown designers and entrepreneurs by building a black apparel marketplace in all categories through education, resources, and manufacturing.
Company Goals: LC Apparel goal is to be the first fully blacked owned and staffed product development & production company manufacturing mainly in the USA with consulting offices and education institutions in NYC, Atlanta, Chicago, and LA.
Target Market: Designers, Creators & Visionaries at beginner, intermediate and advanced stages of their apparel business looking to enhance their resources, skill set, and education on their own time frame, budget, and learning goals.
The Problem Were Solving: LC Apparel consulting gives designers interested in farthing their education the ability to learn at their own pace with our customized private learning systems. The services we provide allow designers to fund their dreams through flexible payment plans. LCAC is a one-stop shop for creating and manufacturing all apparel categories from concept to consumer. Not to mention, we are the only female black-owned company that offers this rim of services and education that is trustworthy, has integrity, and has a proven track record of quality-created products. Our focus is to increase visibility for black and brown designers.
Tell us about yourself
Despite being 33 years old, I have accumulated two decades of expertise in design, garment construction, and apparel production. Earning a BFA in Fashion Design. I have evolved from a young skilled seamstress and adolescent entrepreneur to a designer, apparel industry expert, consultant, and budding Creative mogul. I started my own brand entitled Calleea Vatein, creating Jackets, Jumpsuits & Jammers for the creative entrepreneur’s lifestyle. My pieces are strategically designed to embody Classic, Color, and Confidence.
I relocated to New York in 2014 to pursue a Master’s in Fashion Management & Merchandising. I am the creator and curator of BlackNFashion Podcast, a medium dedicated to the growth & enhancement of Black designers, merchandisers, stylists & their subsequent entrepreneurship.
I am the CEO of LC Apparel Consulting and Founder of The Black Girlz Designer Club Nonprofit. I lend my knowledge to the next generation of designers via my services, courses, and mentorship packages. My mantra: Bringing Dreams to LIFE. In 2020, I was able to scale my business to $700K in revenue and went from working independently in my home to a commercial space with ten employees in 7 months.
I also host New York Garment District tours, workshops, and master classes in cities around the USA. I continue to be a resource to designers at varying degrees of the journey. I am an advocate for education, unity, and inclusion for Black Creatives in fashion. I have completed product development and production for over 220 emerging brands in the last three years.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
My biggest accomplishment is regardless of all the obstacles and challenges I have faced, I never gave up or even thought about giving up.
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
Keeping your mental in check when dealing with multiple types of people.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Register your business ASAP; it will increase your chances of getting capital in the future.
- Take risks and access opportunities.
- Bet on yourself.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://lenesecalleea.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CalleeaVatein
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lenesecalleea/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lenese-griffin-b3b98446/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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