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Ciara: [00:00:00] I was like looking at the email and I was like, Oh my gosh, they emailed me back.

And then so like my supervisor was like, What's going on? What's going on? And I was like, Oh, I forgot to tell you I applied for the show called Making the Cut on Amazon. I was like, potentially, I may not be here for a few months.

Jasmine: welcome to Make Good Fashion, the podcast that's all about starting, launching, and growing impactful fashion brands. I'm your host, Jasmine Rennie.

Hey friends in today's episode, you're in for an incredible story of determination as a, my good friend and celebrity fashion designer, Ciara Cheyenne. Tells the story of how she fought her way to her dreams. Here about how she went from working at Chipotle to being featured on the Amazon prime hit series, making the cut, showing her collection at New York fashion week, and how she leveraged PR showrooms to get her brand on celebrities. Get ready to be inspired. Now let's get into the episode.

Jasmine: ciara, welcome to the podcast. It's been a long time coming. People don't know how hard it was to like get this together But [00:01:00] i'm so glad that you're finally here

Ciara: Thank you for having me make good fashion. I'm so excited to be here

Jasmine: Yes Oh my gosh, we have a lot of history in this in this business together.

We were once office mates so it's so fun to like see it come full circle and just to get to You Share your story with everyone. So I want to start because you know, I'm obsessed with your story. Like I feel like you are so inspiring and you just have a great story about how you kind of ended up here.

And you're one person that I know that like truly loves fashion. Like you live and breathe fashion. So tell us about your journey and how you got here and what it took to get to where you are now as the founder of Ciara Cheyenne.

Ciara: You know, I always struggle like answering this question because it's just so many different compartments to my story.

So, you know, when I was younger, I would say like five, six, I started [00:02:00] like sketching dresses. And then as I got older, I think I started to develop like my personal style. I just remember like my mom always picking out my clothes and I never like agreed with the outfits and I was like, this is just not, this is not it.

Um, and then as I got older, I thought I wanted to be a fashion stylist. So I always like fell in love with like styling and I was like obsessed with like watching Rachel Zoe and um other stylists like that and then when I got in high school, I actually started My first like clothing brand it was called W4 And that's kind of like how I got like my start into, you know, creating clothing, I guess you can say.

And when I was a senior in high school, I remember like asking my mom, could she take me to Woodbury university? They had this fashion program. And at that time I also took my first elective, which was fashion design. So [00:03:00] that's how I got like my little intro into fashion. And I can remember like my professor, I actually didn't get along with her.

in high school for my elective fashion design course. She used to tell me, like, basically, I wasn't creative. But I didn't let that stop me. I was like, I know that I'm creative, I love fashion, and I'm gonna move forward. And this is something that I've actually never shared with anyone. So then when I was getting ready to graduate from high school, I told my mom I wanted to go to FIDM, fashion school.

And so I remember, like, I was like, Hey, you know, I set up, like, a meeting with the counselor.

Jasmine: Yeah.

Ciara: And, you know, the parent has to come. So I remember, like, getting to the meeting, and my mom, like, pulls this stack of papers out of her purse. And I'm like, what is that? And she's like, well, I did research and statistically proving like 68 percent of people only get an AA out of the school and they never progress.

Jasmine: Dang, your mom did her research. [00:04:00]

Ciara: Like, where did she get this information from? Like, so my mom like did a whole Google search and like print out stats. Of people attending FITM and like who actually makes a hundred thousand a year Or like who actually gets like a real job or like, you know, like she pulls out this stapled stack And so I was so distraught after that.

I was like, you know what? I don't even want to go to fashion school anymore. Forget it And so she was like I need you to really like think about it. I want you to go to a four year university And so I started applying for HBCUs. I got accepted into like a few HBCUs, like Hampton University and others.

And Tuskegee was one of the schools I applied to and got the most money. I got a scholarship to go to Tuskegee. And so I ended up going to Tuskegee. And my mom was like, well, I think you should major in business. So of course I listened to my mom. I majored in business. And when I started out, I was a business [00:05:00] management major.

I changed my major to sales and marketing and I was like, it seems like people who major in sales and marketing, they, you know, have more of a range, they have more of a range or a variety of options of career and jobs. And then, you know, I always wanted to own my own business. So I was like, if I major in sales and marketing, I'll learn like the basic principles of how to sell a product, how to market a product.

And I'll say that that was like one of the best decisions I've made in my life is going to business school. And then I remember I couldn't afford tuition one semester, so I actually ended up dropping out of school. I moved back to LA and I was like, Oh my God, what am I going to do? And so I got a job at Ross.

And so I was like, okay, I'm going to save as much money as I can so that, you know, I can figure out what my next step is. And that's when I had found out about Otis University College of Art and Design. They offered a fashion program [00:06:00] and I didn't have the money to attend to get credit. So I took classes for no credit.

And a lot of people don't know that, but you can take a lot of like courses for no credit and they're like significantly cheaper. So I think I pay like maybe like 350, 400 per course. And I still learn like the basic principles of Fashion design. And then the second course that I took was like a beginner sewing class.

And so I would say maybe six months later after I finished those courses and I worked at Ross for a few months, I was freaking depressed. I was like, Ross is not it. Like I have to figure something out. So I ended up saving money and figuring out a, you know, a financial solution. I went back to Tuskegee and rode back in school.

And I got back on the path to graduate. So post graduation, you know, I was looking for jobs in the fashion industry. And I went through a creative [00:07:00] agency and they were like, Hey, Amazon's looking for, you know, assistant product stylists. And that's where I met you, Jasmine. Yes.

Jasmine: We both were styling at Amazon.

Ciara: Yeah, we both were styling at Amazon. Oh my God, Jasmine, do you remember the days? It was like slow days. We didn't have a lot of work and like we would play like Shark Tank.

Jasmine: Yes, we would pitch our businesses. We would be like, like thinking of having these business meetings at work trying to figure out how we were going to launch these lines and all of that.

So yes, I definitely remember and those were some fun times.

Ciara: Yeah, we talked about fashion, business, faith. We would be listening to like podcasts and work, like. Definitely we're not doing what

Jasmine: we were supposed to be doing. We were plotting to launch our businesses.

Ciara: So in 2017, I decided to take a flight with a friend who was also a fashion designer, men's wear designer.

And he told me about his manufacturing. [00:08:00] So I was like, Hey, yeah, like I'll go to New York with you. Like, I would love to like, really take this thing to the next level. I really want to be a designer. And I remember I had like collections of designs, like in my sketchbook. And I was like, I really want to bring these collections to life. So I took a flight to New York with him. I met his manufacturers. And I remember like working on three to four pieces in New York, like in a weekend. And I was like, we gotta get this done guys. We gotta get this done.

So I'm like running around New York looking for trends. I'm looking for drawstring. I'm looking for mesh. I'm looking for fusing. Like I'm just around the city like looking for all types of things. I'm like, I gotta get these samples done. Like they gotta get done. And they're like, excuse me, ma'am. But you know, it's gonna take a little time.

It's not gonna get done in three days. So we'll just ship it to you when it's done. Yeah, that ended up happening. I got back to LA. I got the samples. They looked great. I was like, Oh, we're in business. [00:09:00] We're in business. And so I realized I was like, Hey, but I don't really have to take a flight to New York.

Like it's a little bit far. And I thought the costing was a little bit high. So I started going downtown in LA and walking around knocking on doors and just asking people like, Hey, like, do you know anybody? Okay. here that does cutting. Do you know anybody over here that can like sew these dresses? And so little do you know, like that old school method of like walk and knock on doors really works because people definitely direct you to the right people.

Like there's just such a wealth of knowledge and amount of resources in the fashion district that people sleep on, I think. And you have to be like confident enough. And like, like have faith to just step out on faith and just like do things sometimes. Like when you're trying to figure things out, it's like, you can't sit around and just like, wait for people to come to you.

You have to go to people and like, just figure it out. And so at that time, like that was the mentality that I had. [00:10:00] So I left Amazon and then I started working at Chipotle. Don't ask me why I don't really know, but I was looking for a fashion job, but I just wasn't getting hired. So, you know, when you have bills due, like you just have to do what you have to do.

So I was working at Chipotle and then I finally was like, no, I'm going to figure out how to get a job in the industry. So I went back to that old knock on the door system. Like I would print out my resume. look up fashion jobs in my area, I would go and be like, Hey, I need a job in design. Like I want to be a designer.

Here's my resume. Can you hire me? So many people said no. And I was like praying God, please help me here. Like I just know somebody's gonna hire me. And I ended up going on an interview at this one job. And I remember like praying before I went in. And I was like, hey God, like I really need you, Jesus, to like walk in this door with me and like sit at the table next to me.

[00:11:00] And after that interview, I was like, the interview was very short, and I was like, oh my God, like did they make up their mind already? It's probably a no. And then she came back in and she was like, all right, we're going to give you a shot. And so she hired me to be basically a fashion design assistant and production coordinator.

So I remember on my first day, like walking into which technically is like a factory, a sample room, like a sample room floor. And like, you have like maybe a hundred sewers and like cutters and everyone's like on the floor. And so I remember like walking above it and like looking down over what we call the runway and seeing all the sewers and I started crying like on my first day of work.

Like I started crying and I was like, Oh my God, like my dreams are happening. Like I'm in here. So I was at that company for about two and a half years. They had just, they had just promoted me to junior associate designer. I probably was [00:12:00] in that position maybe a couple months. And then I got laid off because COVID had hit in 2020.

And then I was like, this is the time to take what I'm doing as a hobby and turn it into a viable business. And so when I got laid off, that's when I made the transition. From W4 Studios to Ciara Cheyenne. I think I was going through a season of like a lot of change and really like discovering myself as a woman.

And I really wanted to create something that represented me as, you know, a woman, as a creative and share that with the world. And so it was a little bit scary for me, to be honest. I was always told that when you attach your name to a business, You know, you have to do everything right because if anything goes wrong, like that's your legacy, like that's your name, you know what I mean?

If you stamp your business with your name, like you, you can't go bankrupt. You can't do this. You can't do that. And so I think for a long time I [00:13:00] was like really scared and I was like, should I name my business my name? You know, and then I woke up one morning and I was just like, I think I should name my business my name.

Like I am the representation. Of my creativity and my, and my designs. So why not put my identity into what I'm building? And then, so that's when that shift had made, I made that shift into creating my business.

Jasmine: Wow, I love that story so much and thank God that you did name it after your namesake because you've been able to do so much under that name, and you've been featured on so many things.

You are not only a designer to the stars, but you're a star in your own right because you've been on Tamron Hall show, you were on it. Amazon prime series making the cut and I want to hear more about that So how did you get on making the cut and what was that experience like? You know coming from this, you know fighting to get into the fashion industry Starting your line and now [00:14:00] you are on tv as a designer on the show On amazon prime.

What was that? Like?

Ciara: Yeah, so When I was working at democracy one of my Co workers she actually had sent The audition linked to me one day and she was like, Hey, I think you should apply for this show. Like my friend is one of the casting directors and I didn't really like think too much into it, you know, and I had applied for project runway before I made it past like round one and then I got cut.

So when I heard about making the cut, I was like, Oh, it's like the same type of show. And you know, I wasn't like, I didn't feel like I was ready for it. So I never applied, you know, fast forward to the next year. We're in COVID. And I think I was on the phone with you, Jazz. And I think you were like, Hey, have you seen this show, Making the Cut?

And I was like, that's so crazy. You asked me that because I just saw it. Like, cause I think everybody [00:15:00] was like in the house. You know during COVID and like we were just like watching like Hulu and Netflix and Amazon Prime and like, you know, we didn't have nothing to do. So we were watching TV. Yeah, to be honest, I'm not a big TV person.

Like I don't watch much TV. So I remember you like asking me about that. I was like, that's crazy. I just saw the show. And you were like, it's crazy. so good. You got to watch this episode. And I was like, I think I had only watched the first episode. And then when you told me that, I remember like going back and I like binge watched the whole first season.

And I was like, it's so

Jasmine: good.

Ciara: Yeah. And then we started talking about like, what we would do differently. And we were like, Oh my gosh, like, what if we were on the show? And then we were like, yeah, but it would be fun. cool if we were both on the show and then we pretended we pretended like we weren't friends and they had no idea I

Jasmine: remember that oh my gosh that's so funny

Ciara: yeah and so so like I think fast forward second season then I ended up watching the second season So you [00:16:00] basically had said to me one day, I think this is, so at this time we were sharing an office space.

Yes, me and Ciara were office mates.

Jasmine: Mm hmm.

Ciara: Yeah, we were office mates. So Jasmine had just moved into a new office and she brought me along and she was like, hey Ciara, Like, would you like to share a space? And I was like, Oh my God, this is like perfect, perfect timing. Like, I really think I need to be like in an office where I can be productive and have my own workspace.

And it just like worked out so good. Like, you know, people know, like working from home is like one thing. And then like having an office space, like. I just feel like the productivity is just so much higher and then also you have a location that's like pretty neutral for like your clients to come or like models to do fittings.

You can use the space for like shooting and like doing all these things. So like it's definitely an advantage to have an office space. So I thank you for that, Jasmine. Thank you for everything. providing that space for me.

Jasmine: Stop it. Anyway.

Ciara: So yeah, at this [00:17:00] time, me and Jasmine were office mates. And I think you had said to me, you were like, Hey, like this lady reached out to me and told me to apply for making the cut.

And I was like, you should do it. You should do it. And then you were like, oh, but I need to like brush up on my sewing skills. And I was just like, yeah, but the show is pretty cool because they have seamstress on site. And so I was like, yeah, brush up on them, but still apply. And then I think I later had looked at the link and you were like, you should, you told me I should apply too.

Jasmine: Can I tell you the background story?

Ciara: Yes. Yeah. Okay.

Jasmine: Because I think this is an interesting, this story is interesting. I love this story, but anyways, you know, yes, the casting director had reached out to me on Instagram, and she's like, you'd be great for this, you should apply for Making the Cut.

Immediately, I'm like, oh, heck no. Like you said, I don't have sewing skills. Like, everybody knows, when you start a business, you are [00:18:00] not actually doing the sewing, right? We contract sewers, we have manufacturers, all of that. And so to me I was thinking this is a great PR opportunity, right? Like I can get my name out there get my brand out there But I don't feel comfortable and I felt weird and I was thinking like Honestly, like, I don't know if I'm right for this, and I was praying about it one day in the car, and I felt God tell me, like, I know not everyone is a person of faith, but I, I, I know that, like, you know, God can speak to you and all this stuff, and, Yeah, I just felt like God was telling me, like, this is for Ciara, right?

Like, this is Ciara's opportunity. And honestly Wait, you

Ciara: never told me that! I thought

Jasmine: I did, I don't know. No! Maybe it was one of our other friends, cause I was working it out in my head, because honestly, I was like, should I give this up? Like, I don't know, like, I mean, we can both apply, but, but I felt like God telling me, like, this is not for you, this is for Ciara.

So anyways, [00:19:00] I texted you and I'm like, Ciara, have you applied to making the cut yet? And I think you were saying like something like the link wasn't working or your computer wasn't working at the time or something? The deadline. The deadline. It was

Ciara: the deadline. It had closed. Okay. Because when I took the link, it was like application closed.

Jasmine: Okay. So I think the casting director had sent me another type of link that was open. So then that's what I sent to you because I was like, okay, I have peace with this. This is not for me. But I, I, I applied anyway because you told me like we should both try to apply and get on the show together. So I did apply, but I did not get in.

So it confirmed that the word that I got was true. So that's a little background story from my end.

Ciara: Yeah, and I remember going back and forth to you. I was like, no, Jasmine, the application is closed . And you were like, no, it's not. It's open. And I was like, Jasmine, I just, I just clicked it. Like it said it's over.

And you were like, no, it's not. So then you sent me the link and then I [00:20:00] clicked it like, oh shoot, it's open. Yeah.

But what's crazy, Jasmine, is that I don't, I can't even tell you how many times I applied through that link. Like, so I remember the day, like, I went home. I, first of all, it took me like three hours to like, because we had to create a video submission. So it took me like three hours just to create the video and then I was submitting it and it wasn't going through.

Like, it just kept saying, like, like, it wouldn't upload. And so every time it did that, I would have to start over. So I kept re recording, re recording, re recording the video and trying to submit it, trying to submit it, and it wouldn't go through. And so I was like, okay, you know, I give up, whatever. So then I get to our friends, Terrence's house.

And then when I, when I get there, I try again, I'm like, okay, let me try here. So I'm trying to do the video. I'm resubmitting, resubmitting. It keeps saying it's not able to [00:21:00] process. So I remember getting so frustrated, like almost crying. And I was like, okay, it's just not meant to be. And he was like, just relax.

Take a breather and try again. He was like, go to your office and try. So I went to my office and I was like checking the wifi. I'm like, okay, I'm gonna try this one more time.

Jasmine: This is the

Ciara: . So I went to the office. I remember it was late at night too. And so I was just like, this is the last time I'm going to submit this.

So I recorded the video over again and I submitted it. And it went through. I was like, I just needed to be patient. And so I remember like at that time I was working at a factory and I was doing production management. And I remember like sitting at my desk, like Edward. And an email had came through and I was like in a meeting and I was like looking at the email and I was like , Oh my gosh, they emailed me back.

And then so like my supervisor was like, What's going on? What's going on? And I was like, Oh, I forgot to tell you I applied for the [00:22:00] show called Making the Cut on Amazon. I was like, potentially, I may not be here for a few months.

Jasmine: Oh my gosh. And she

Ciara: was like, wait, what? You're going on a show?

And I was like, yeah, like they just emailed me.

Jasmine: That is hilarious.

Ciara: And so I remember the email was like, give them a call. And so I ended up calling them like while I was at work and they were like, congratulations, you made it to the next round. You want to set up a Zoom, blah, blah, blah. And so yeah, I made it to the next round.

Keep in mind when you, when you apply for like reality TV shows, the casting process is very like rigorous. And so it's not just a like, Oh, you made it. It's like, Oh, you made it. But like I had to go through like several rounds of like cuts basically to make it to top 10.

And what confirmed it for me, after all of these meetings, I remember they told me that they were sending me a camera. And so when I got the camera, the bag had my name on it, but it had the letter F. And I was like, F? [00:23:00] Like, okay. And so in my mind, I'm like, okay, A, B, C, D. D E F. And I was like, oh, I'm number six.

Like, I'm in the cut. Like, they're not gonna send me a bag labeled F. You're in logic. Like, no, like, literally, and I remember, like, telling my mom this, and she was, like, looking at me like, you're crazy. And I was like, no, like, if they sent me a bag and it has an F on it, I'm number six. They went down the list.

And each person's name was next to a letter, and it was like A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I. You get what I'm saying? Like, in like two spots. Yeah, I would never think about this. So if the letter is S, like, I made the cut. Like, there's no question about it. So my faith was like, up here. I was like, nope, I made the cut.

And I remember like telling my mom and grandma and they're like, girl, that doesn't, you don't know if that was, you don't know if that's what that means. And I was like, well, I'm believing I made top 10. And so I'm just like share a little testimony with you. I was at work one day and I had a meeting with the [00:24:00] casting directors of Amazon and also making the cut.

And so I told my supervisor, I was like, Hey, I got to take my lunch. So usually on my lunch break, she didn't know this, but I would run to the office and like pack orders and do things. Um, and so I was going to take my meeting on my lunch break and run to the office and take it. And so when I went to the office to take that zoom, I remember sitting in front of the computer and I had to use the restroom.

So I was like, let me go run in like pee really quick. So I went to the restroom. And I was walking into a bathroom stall, and here comes Megan from Making the Cut Season 2 walking out. And I was like, hey Megan, like, oh my god, like, you're on Season 2, like. And she's like, hey, how are you? And I was like, this is so crazy, like, I have a meeting in like four minutes.

With the casting director, I applied for season three and she's like, oh my gosh, good luck. Like, let me know if you need anything and all of these things. She's like, take my number down, let me know if you have any questions. Like, I would love to like, you know, if you need anything, just let me know. And I was like, okay, [00:25:00] cool.

So after I used it, I went to serendipitous

Jasmine: moment, though, that you would run into someone who was also on the show. She so Megan from Making the Cut actually used to work out of the office building that we did, too. So that's how that moment happened. It was just crazy that it happened in that exact moment before you're going to have your interview.

Ciara: Yeah, like at the time I didn't even know that Megan like worked like that was when I figured it out She was like, yeah, like my office is right there and I was like what your office is right there My office is right here. Yeah, like this whole time like Megan is like down the hall like she's on season two I'm applying for season three.

Like I just thought that was crazy Yeah, and so When I got back to the computer and I was getting ready to get on the zoom for the meeting I had like a little second to myself and I just like heard god speak to me and he was like you made it And so when I got on the call, they were like, congratulations, you made top 10.

And I just started like crying. And I was like, Oh, my God, that's why I read it to Megan. I was like, [00:26:00] Yes,

Jasmine: that's so amazing. Oh, my gosh. So tell me what your experience was like on that show. Just being a designer and, you know, stepping into this like new realm on TV, and that pressure, like, what was that like?

Ciara: Yeah, I mean, I will tell you, I thought I was prepared. I was not. I was not prepared in so many ways, in so many ways. I was not prepared. I got prepared when I was there, but I think it like kind of caught up to me. And what really, I think, played a role in my lack of success, I will say, on the show was the fact that I had mentally allowed fear to step into my space.

And so I'm seeing all of these other designers in the work, work room, and I'm like, wow , they are so talented. And then I'm staring at [00:27:00] my work and I'm like, I just don't feel, you know, that I am on that same level. And I had to have a talk with myself and I was like, well, if you weren't on that same level, you wouldn't be in this room, you know what I mean?

And so I think that. I was really trying to make sure I solidified my confidence in like what my aesthetic was, who I was as a designer, and I felt like I needed a little bit more work to do. Not to say like, of course I'm talented, but

and I think I had a little bit more work to do in that season. But I will say like the cameras in my face. that also affected me because, you know, I was very self conscious of like, oh my gosh, I hope I don't say the wrong thing. I hope I don't do the wrong thing. Do I look okay? And like focusing on all of those things while trying to [00:28:00] create and win a million dollars.

Yeah. Yeah. No pressure. No pressure. No pressure. Just a million. That's it. Just a little million. Nothing too, nothing too crazy, you know? Yeah. And I was just like, Looking at all the competition, thinking about the million dollars, thinking about opening a store, but also thinking about my image, like how am I portraying myself on camera, like, you know, all of these things were kind of like messing with my mind and I didn't realize like how much it was affecting me, like having those cameras in my face all the time.

Because I had never like been in that capacity before, like creating. But also trying to show the world who I am. Like I'm so used to like working in a confined space. Like maybe you're, you're the only person who has seen me like in a, in a workspace besides like my cutter and my sewer, you know what I mean?

So like, there's all these people in the room, all these producers, all these directors, all of these, like, just, you know, so many people behind the scenes when you are on a reality [00:29:00] TV show. And then on top of that, they have an agenda, you know, they're trying to push a storyline and you're trying to figure out, do I fit into the storyline?

Do I want to, you know, step out of this storyline and then everything's just happening all at the same time. And so it's a very like fast paced, fast paced thing. And you got to think like even designing in like four hours, six hours, like that's a fast turnaround. And so you have to move quickly. And another thing was, you know, I didn't feel like I was making decisions quick enough.

Like I'm a, I'm a really slow thinker. Like I like to sit on things and make decisions based off of like, Oh, okay. Like, let me edit that down. Like. You know, maybe let me switch that but I take my time to make decisions and what I realized was you have to move quickly But you have to move fast. Yeah, and so Overall, it was an amazing experience though I will say I I learned a lot from the other designers and I really learned a lot for myself as [00:30:00] well

Jasmine: Yeah, that's so amazing.

And I think it's just like such a good opportunity too for You know, it's a lot of pressure obviously and it was an experience and a learning lesson But I feel like it's also great For you for exposure for your brand for your name Even if you know You didn't make it all the way to the end So i'm kind of curious like what other opportunities came out of that or what happened after being on making the cut?

Ciara: Yeah, so making the cut definitely opened a lot of doors for me For me, it gave me the opportunity to be on the Tamron Hall show for her Up and Coming Designer Series. You know, Disney had reached out, they ended up flying me to New York, and I got to go to the ABC studios in New York for the first time.

Jasmine: Wow,

Ciara: I didn't know that. Yeah, so, so, so technically, ABC is owned by Disney. So Disney was actually the company that flew me to New York. Okay. So, you know, they, you know, paid for my driver and my hotel. And all of [00:31:00] that good stuff. And then when I got there, I was amongst, like, I think it was three other designers?

Yeah, it was a total of four of us, I believe. And, you know, they interviewed us and just, that was like my first, like, television interview, I guess you could say. Which was an amazing experience. Yeah. It was really a full circle moment for me too, because I feel like every time I'm in New York, I think back to 2017 when I went to the manufacturer and designed my first collection.

So like every time I go to New York, it's for business. It's for Ciara Cheyenne. Just like this previous September, like going to New York Fashion Week, that's another door that got opened with the Black in Fashion Council showroom. I was able to present my new collection to buyers and editors and stylists and, you know, all types of people.

I got to develop a lot of new relationships and so making the cut has definitely allowed a little bit of credibility behind my name, I would say. [00:32:00] Yeah. And it got me opportunities for other stylists to work with me for their clients, celebrity clients. And so yeah, making the cut has done like a lot. It really has.

Jasmine: Yeah, that's so cool. And I think you've done so well at like leveraging the power of media to market your brand and to get your name out there. And not only in the realm of like getting that TV exposure and getting yourself out there like that, but also through PR, right? So We've seen your brand on everyone.

Ciara: Well, actually it's thanks to you, Jasmine, because you're the person who taught me how to leverage that press. You're the person. How? Dang, I don't even remember. So Jasmine, , you give pointers and you give advice that you don't even know. Like, you're The one, the machine behind it all.

Jasmine: You know why?

Because I don't take my own advice. That's why I'm

Ciara: like, wait, what? How'd you do that? Yeah, like, I think, I think you consulted me through that one time. You were like, this is what you have to do. You're like, you take [00:33:00] one press. And you stretch it, and you get another, you get it, you get some more press, and then you stretch it, and then you get some more press, and I was like, oh, I see, I see what you're doing there, Jasmine.

I see what you're doing. So what I would do is, I would talk myself up. I was like, well, I was on Making the Cut. Yeah. And I was on Tamron Hall, so I deserve to be at Fashion Week.

Jasmine: Mmm. Yeah. You know, so it's

Ciara: like, you use all these things. You know, I was featured in Essence Magazine.

Jasmine: Yeah.

Ciara: Like, My work is in SS magazine.

Yeah, my work is on, you know, daytime talk shows, you know, I'm in music videos, like I am in like all types of things. So I use that to leverage. And yes, that that's the key to getting more press. Yeah, press, stretch it and get more press. Yeah. And what she means by stretching

Jasmine: it is like, you show that off, you know, you know, In business, you can't always be super humble.

You kind of have to Display these [00:34:00] things because it's really the industry's really like a popularity contest. So it's like if One piece of media sees that you've been featured by another then they want to feature you too Everyone wants to get on the bandwagon of like what's hot and so when you know, you talk about stretching it It's like You're, you're really exposing what, what features you got so that more people are like, Oh, she's hot right now.

Let's feature her too. So yeah, it's a great strategy. So Ciara, your brand has been worn by so many celebs. We have Cheryl Lee Ralph, Quinta Brunson from Abbott, um, Elementary. Elaine Wolteroff, who was the editor of, was it, was she Vogue editor? Teen Vogue. Teen Vogue editor, Lauren London, like the list goes on.

You have been featured by so many celebrities, and a lot of that is due to your brand being represented by a PR showroom. And so I want you to talk a little bit about that and what the process was of like getting your brand into a PR showroom. [00:35:00] And How that can help brands get that exposure.

Ciara: Yeah, absolutely.

So I am so for PR showrooms. I think it's very important. It's very significant in building your brand because you want to develop relationships with people in the industry. And for me, I had to vet out a PR showroom that fit my brand best. Some people just join PR showrooms just because, but I took time to like do research and, you know, it actually was like a referral from another friend who's a designer, but, I had a few meetings with a few different PR showrooms and I felt that Etcetera LA, ETC, Los Angeles, that's the name of my PR showroom, was the best fit for me because the owner Jade, I think she's amazing.

She's wonderful. I think she really like goes to bat for her designers. She really puts in a lot of work in like pushing the brand and the collections and like reaching out to stylists for, you know, red [00:36:00] carpet events or whether it's like editorials or whatever it may be. And one thing that she said to me when I had a meeting with her is that she really believed in my brand And usually when I have meetings with people when I hear people say that like, oh, I believe in your brand I have to like really pray about it because i'm like are they just saying that because they want to take my money Or do they really believe in my brand?

Jasmine: Yeah, because

Ciara: you know like at the end of the day like that's just business people are gonna tell you what you want to hear But I didn't feel that I felt authenticity from her and I was like, oh, like I think she really believes in my brand and She was telling me like she could do so much for me. And to be honest, within the first month, like she was like, Hey, like, I just want to let you know this.

I have never had so many cool stories. For a designer in the first month like you before she was like there were so many pools from stylists like they loved my collection and she was like She was telling me That you know, none of the other designers that she represented in the showroom had ever gotten that much pools in the first month And so that's when I knew I had [00:37:00] something I was like, okay cool.

Um, I think I saw One of my dresses on Liza Koshy On Good Morning America. Yeah, and I remember like watching it live and I was like, oh my gosh, like my dress is on TV And I was like, wow, like, okay, Jade is really doing something. So the PR showroom has definitely opened up doors. And I think, you know, allowing like the imagery, the photos that I received from clients wearing my pieces has allowed me to like build my portfolio, allowed me to build my social media presence.

And ultimately people look at your social media, like for credibility, I guess you can say. Yeah.

Jasmine: So I also wanted to just touch on for people who don't know how PR Uh showroom work PR stands for public relations and How it works is that Silas come in right and Silas will come in and pull From different designers that are represented by the showroom and then put it on their celebrity clients And so yeah, it's just it's a great way to market [00:38:00] your collection and i'm sure you've gotten tons of exposure from You know people seeing these celebs in your designs and wanting to get a piece of your brand as well

Ciara: Yes, I think that pr really helps you get that extra push You But what I realized is that that's just like one component that's making the wheel go around.

And in business and building a fashion brand, I think it's really important to have like, you know, all of these different like marketing tactics going at once. Because when you just focus on one, You can have a lot of highs and lows, but I think that, you know, you have to like put like money into advertisement.

You have to do like rollout marketing. You have to be in a PR showroom. You have to like really be intentional with that press. You have to like reach out to influencers. You have to like do all of these things and like, they all work together. So that's one thing that I have learned being in the PR showroom.

It's like having, you know, that, that supply to back up that demand.

Jasmine: Yeah, great advice. [00:39:00] So, one thing that you know we're all about here at Make Good Fashion is creating fashion with purpose. Having purpose driven ideas and concepts. And so, I want to know how your values, like, play a part in your brand, in the Ciara Cheyenne brand.

Ciara: Well, my values play a part in the Ciara Cheyenne brand on a couple different levels. So, first, I would just say, That I think you have to like really be confident in knowing who you are as a designer Because there's going to be a lot of opportunities that present itself to you And you have to be okay with saying no sometimes.

I know everyone's bad press. It doesn't matter It's press, you know what I mean? But there's been like certain situations where like i've been presented opportunities and i'm like well That doesn't really align with my beliefs and my morals and my values So i'm gonna have to pass up on that opportunity And you know, I would say like maybe 85 percent of people, 90 percent of people would take a lot of those opportunities.

But sometimes I have to really sit and [00:40:00] like think about longevity in this business. And because I'm not like a brand that's just like trying to make money or just trying to be cool. And like, I see myself 30, 40 years from now still having this business and building this lifestyle brand. I really have to think like strategically on like, is this the right move for me right now at this time?

Um, So I think that's like really important is like thinking about like your long term goals. Like we have short term goals, but we also have long term goals. And like, once you really sit down and like figure out what those are, then you'll know like, hey, like, this doesn't really align with my brand. And most importantly, I think like my faith is something that I really focus on, like I have to make sure like, does it sit right with my spirit.

So sometimes like, I have to, you know, pray about things like, you know, everyone is not like faith based, but I understand that like you have to have some type of moral compass. And for me, like that's the Holy Spirit. So like when I'm [00:41:00] moving throughout my day, like I have to like pray about things and be like, so just recently, I'll give you an example.

There was an opportunity presented to me to have like a business development service for six months. And so the investment is 5, 000 and 5, 000 is not really a lot of money. But it is a lot of money. You know what I mean? And so I had to sit there and be like, okay, so do I want to drop this 5k right now?

But I had to figure out like, is this going to elevate me? Is this going to take me to the next level? But also like, I had to ask God like, Hey, is this something that I should be doing? Because sometimes we move on on our own understanding and then like, we're wondering why things aren't working and it's not checking in.

That's so good. We're not checking in to see, like, is this what I'm supposed to be doing? And granted, God will always give us grace, but, you know, I want to make sure I'm not wasting no time.

Jasmine: Yes.

Ciara: No time and no [00:42:00] money. So, that's most important for me.

Jasmine: I love it. So, Ciara, tell me, what advice would you give aspiring designers who, like, want to be where you are, want to, you know, make some kind of impact on this industry?

Ciara: Yeah, so a friend of mine, like, wrote this book called Your Designer.

Jasmine: And if you're watching on YouTube, she has the book, so make sure you hop on YouTube so you can see what it looks like.

Ciara: And I wrote in here, like, a few lessons I wish someone taught me. So, the first one is, It's okay to rob Peter to pay Paul. No one told me this. Like this is like a life skill in business. It's okay to, you know, invest in yourself and you might have to take out a business loan. I haven't taken out any business loans.

I'm in, I am completely bootstrapping, but it's okay. If you need to, [00:43:00] it's okay. If you have to, you know, I've reached into my 401k. I've done certain things like that before, because I believe so much in my business and my brand. So if you have to strategize like financially on how you're going to come up with the capital to do what you need to do, It's okay to rob Peter to pay Paul.

Jasmine: But disclaimer, make sure that you have proof of concept and you take a calculated risk.

Ciara: Oh, right, right, right, right. That's most important.

Jasmine: Make sure you vet your brand idea. Don't be robbing Peter to pay Paul when you don't know if this business is going to work or you don't believe in it.

Ciara: Oh, yeah. Oh, yeah.

No. So you, it, it, the numbers, the math got a math. The math has

Jasmine: the math.

Ciara: If the, get your numbers together and make sure that the business is going to generate income because if it's not, you're going to be in debt and it doesn't make sense.

Jasmine: Exactly.

Ciara: So another one is stay ready so you don't have to get ready.

Like, I just think that's just a business rule. Don't try to scramble and get things together when opportunities come, like you need to [00:44:00] always be ready, like your business plan needs to be ready, all of those things need to be ready and in place. You might have an investor reach out to you one day and it just doesn't make sense if you don't have, you know, the plan in place, like what, what are they investing in?

Jasmine: Yep.

Ciara: Say, I usually say yes first and figure it out later. That's mine. Yeah, I mean it kind of depends like if you're not a reliable person I wouldn't I wouldn't tell you to do this But if you're a reliable person Like I am i'm gonna say yes, and then i'm gonna figure out how to do it later yeah, because you know what I mean, like that's just

Jasmine: That one's good because I think a lot of people like a lot of people hesitate You know and because they feel like oh, I don't I don't have all the things in place blah blah blah So they miss out on opportunities that are right in front of them And my philosophy is the same thing like if the opportunity presents itself and it's too good to pass up I don't need to know how it's all gonna work out.

I'm gonna say yes, because it's something that's once in a lifetime [00:45:00] and then We figure it out later. So yes, I'm all for that.

Ciara: Yeah. I mean, like, you just have to have a figure it out mentality. Like, this industry is just about figuring it out. Like, just figure it out. And then another one is like, don't procrastinate.

That is probably the number one fault of myself. It's like, procrastination has definitely got me out of some situations that, well, let me rephrase that. Procrastination has allowed me to miss opportunities. And so, responding to emails slowly, thinking you have all day, there's someone else sitting and waiting for that opportunity, and they're gonna give it to that person who moves swiftly.

So don't procrastinate, use the five second rule, and I go 5, 4, 3, 2, 1, and if you don't do it in those five seconds, then you're not

Jasmine: doing it. I'm using that after this, because I do be waiting days and days to answer emails sometimes. Yeah.

Ciara: [00:46:00] Yeah. Yeah. So that's good. Then I'm wondering why I didn't get selected.

It's because I responded 48 hours later. Like, you know what I mean? Like, girl, you took a whole two days to write back. Like, they moved on and chose someone else.

Jasmine: Right.

Ciara: Content is queen. I know people say content is king, but content is queen because we're queens over here. Like, content is so, so important and I can't stress that enough.

We see that with the algorithm today. Faith it till you make it. That's like my life quote I live by. Some people say fake it till you make it. Mine is faith it till you make it. So stepping out on faith like at all times. Like you just gotta, just gotta put one foot in front of the other and the other will follow.

Jasmine: And that's kind of like your other point of like just saying yes and figuring it out later is like kind of similar. Like we're gonna step on in faith and like trust that God's gonna direct us and all of that. So I love that.

Ciara: Right. Wear your own [00:47:00] clothes. Wear your own clothes. You see this turtleneck here?

This is Ciara Cheyenne. That's a Ciara Cheyenne

Jasmine: original.

Ciara: Wear your own clothes. You know why? Because the more compliments you get when you're wearing your clothes, oh my god, I love that top. I designed it. You have to practice that.

Jasmine: Yeah, and some of us can be so like, you know, timid or like, you know, you don't want again, sometimes this business requires like a lack of humility.

There's probably a better way to say that. But you have to be okay with like, talking about your things and showing it off and all of that. So That's some great advice.

Ciara: I mean, till this day, sometimes people compliment me and I just say thank you and keep walking and don't tell them that I designed it.

And so, like, I think you just have to get, like, used to it. So I practice it a lot, but there are a lot of times, like, I'll just say thank you and walk off. And then, like, if I'm with someone, they're like, why didn't you tell them that you're a designer and you made it? And give them a business card or tell them to follow [00:48:00] you on Instagram.

So guilty of that. Yeah, not today, but like you really do have to get in the habit of practicing that because you'll miss out on so many customers. Like, yeah, you won't believe it.

Jasmine: And you're your own walking billboard.

Ciara: Yeah, for sure. For sure. So I live by this as well. This quote, you're one more no away from a

Jasmine: yes.

Ciara: So don't let a no, like, bring you down because you never know around the corner may be a yes. And that opportunity may be greater for you than that no. Yes. And when people tell you no, this is another thing I do, I just have to find the right person who's going to say yes. Like sometimes you're just not talking to the right person and you shouldn't allow like someone telling you no to define if that thing is going to happen.

Jasmine: Like,

Ciara: sometimes I hear no and I'm just like, okay, well, it's a no from you, tomorrow I'm going to try again, and I'm going to go ask someone else, but I'm going to [00:49:00] get what I want, because I know what I'm capable of, and I know it's possible, so if the possibilities are endless, like, I shouldn't stop at that one no.

Yeah. One that I live by.

Jasmine: Yeah, I want to touch on that because I feel like, you know, in this industry, you really have to have perseverance. If you're starting a fashion brand, you have to have that person, perseverance, you have to understand that it's a marathon and not a sprint. And at any moment, you know, like any second something can happen and an opportunity can present itself.

And I think a lot of people ending up and end up quitting prematurely because they're not seeing the fruit. Of what they're building. They're not seeing opportunities come up and they feel like everyone else is getting the opportunities, right? and Sometimes you're quitting prematurely and right around the corner Maybe the next day something would have came up or like, you know a little bit more down the line and so You know, you have to just keep on keeping on keep on trying and that's in everything whether you're like applying for [00:50:00] grants or you are Trying to get featured or you are trying to just make the first couple of sales.

You have to really be Keep going keep improving And persevere because you never know when that opportunity is going to come And I think that's one thing about you Ciara, too Is that you have great perseverance and you keep going and opportunities Continue to show up for you and I think because you just have that, you know stick to itiveness

Ciara: Yeah being tenacious being like having that tenacity Will really get you in the words.

I think just really having that that attitude of knowing like You know i'm not going to stop until I get to where I want to go Will allow you to continue to like grow in that aspect

Jasmine: Yeah And really believing in the product too because if you don't believe in the product then you can't expect other people to

Ciara: right And there's two more.

Okay, so i'll make this quick stop seeking validation. That was a huge one for me We really need to stop [00:51:00] seeking validation from people Because the only validation that matters It's from yourself and from the one who created us.

Jasmine: That's good. You do not

Ciara: have to prove anything to the world at all. And that is something that has put me into fear is like, Oh my gosh, they don't like this.

Oh my gosh, let me change this so that they can approve this. Do what makes you feel great. Do what makes, do what brings you joy. What brings you peace? What brings you happiness as a creative? Like that is what it's important. So stop seeking validation from people in the industry.

Jasmine: Yeah, and a little note to that too.

I think that's great I think validation amongst our peers too because we can think like, oh, what do they think about it? But I think you also like You know, do what makes, brings you joy and what you feel good about, but also with the customer in mind too, what, and you should know, you know, have an understanding of your customer of like, okay, I know my [00:52:00] customers, what their needs are, and I know them really well, and so I can feel confident in what I'm putting out, and then not just, you know, Well, I love it.

No one else that I'm making it for loves it So I think that's something good to keep in mind too is like know your customer as you create those things but don't seek validation from like peers and everyone else and do what you know what you know to be True for you and what works well for your brand dna,

Ciara: right?

And lastly, whatever you believe You receive according to god's will yeah, I was gonna say according to god's will but i'm saying this because There are so many times that I believe in manifesting, right? So, there's times that I think about what I want, and then I believe in my heart that it's gonna happen, and then I do the work to make it happen.

I pray about [00:53:00] it, and then I put it in God's hands. Now, if He wants it to happen, it's going to happen. But, I did all I can do. I believed it. In my, in my heart, I saw it in my vision and then I put in the work and then I created it.

Jasmine: Yeah.

Ciara: And a lot of times in my business things have happened because I went through that process.

I envisioned it, I believed it, and then I put in the work and it happened. There's been times where I'm like, oh my gosh, I want Lotto, the rapper Lotto. I can, like, I think I was sitting watching YouTube videos all night of her music and I was like, I would really love to see her in my brand. Do you know two days later, I saw her on a cover of a magazine wearing my skirt?

Oh my gosh! And I think for me, like, that was like literally a confirmation. I was like, I sat there that night and envisioned her wearing my pieces. I have no idea how it happened. No idea. Wow. Out of all the people in the world. [00:54:00] Two days later, I saw Lotto on Instagram, and it was a video posted of her edit magazine cover shoot, and she's wearing my piece.

And I was like, that is mind blowing to me that that happened.

Jasmine: Like,

Ciara: literally mind blowing. So definitely put it, put in the work, put in the work, and produce. You have to produce. You can sit up and sketch all day, come up with mood boards, create on Canva and do all these things. But if you're not producing and putting things out and bringing them to fruition and taking those, those ideas from paper to an actual sample or an actual, you know, actual line, it doesn't matter because you're not producing.

So don't let all those ideas sit in a book somewhere, like actually open the book and figure out how to bring it to life. So those are my. Little Nuggets for all the emergent designers.

Jasmine: I love that! [00:55:00] Amazing. I feel like I just went to a master class. So thank you so much, Ciara. Like, we have to have you on on a different, another podcast episode because I feel like there's like a thousand things that we can talk about from our journey in this industry.

And so I would love to have you back. But how can people get connected with the Ciara Cheyenne brand? How can we find you?

Ciara: Yeah, I would love for you guys to follow me. Well, first of all, my website is www dot Ciara C-I-A-R-A, Cheyenne, C-H-Y-A-A-N-N e.com, and it's the same on Instagram, Ciara Cheyenne, C-I-A-R-A-C-H-Y-A-N-N, eCore.

And you guys can follow me for any new products. Sign up for our email list. We have email blasts going out so you can, you know, be in all the news. And look forward to us being in retail stores very, very soon.

Jasmine: Yes, love it. Well, thank you so much, Ciara, for being on. It's been so fun catching up with you and like reminiscing on all these fun stories.

[00:56:00] So, thank you for being on the podcast. Yes, yes, so many stories. so much

Ciara: for having me. Thank you guys for having me. I really appreciate you. And I'm excited to see what's next for Make Good Fashion.

Jasmine: Hey. All right, Ciara. Have a good one.