Today we’d like to introduce you to Samantha Williams.
Hi Samantha, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I discovered my love for fashion in high school. I knew then that I wanted to do something within the fashion industry. Growing up, it was always a struggle to find cute clothes for young women shaped like me. I aspired to one day open a clothing boutique that provided stylish pieces for curvy women.
After taking marketing for two years in high school, the foundation was laid for my entrepreneurship journey. I learned a great amount of knowledge about how to start a business. I also joined a club called DECA, where I was taught how to write a business plan and pitch my ideas to judges at DECA competitions. That experience influenced my decision to major in Fashion Design and Merchandising in college, and minor in Marketing.
When I realized how broad the fashion industry was, I explored several different career paths over the years. I have been a personal stylist, clothing designer, fashion show coordinator, personal shopper, creative director, merchandiser, buyer, blogger, and business owner, to name a few. Lol.
In 2019, I decided I wanted to start another business, something that represented my style. The perfect mix of girly and edgy, with a hint of modesty. I have always had a love for accessories. Around that time I developed a love for statement earrings. It is something about being able to transform a simple outfit with the right pieces. After taking time to brainstorm and research Sincerely, Samantha was born.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
It has not been a smooth ride, at all. Entrepreneurship is so unexpected; it is a faith walk for sure. A month after I launched Sincerely, Samantha we experienced a global pandemic, Covid-19. Besides essential businesses, the world was shut down. I couldn’t receive any new inventory, which meant no sales. Eventually, the world began to open back up, and I was able to resume business.
The following year, I felt I had become stagnant in business. I was struggling to reach my target market online. At vendor events my pieces sold themselves, and e-commerce required much more effort and strategy. One thing business has taught me is to hire people that specialize in areas I may not be the strongest. So, I hired a creative services agency, to assist me in branding and reaching my target audience.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Sincerely, Samantha is a jewelry boutique curated for the modest fly girl. We specialize in bold statement earrings, adorned with colored jewels, stones, and fringe. Our mission is to provide statement pieces that enhance wardrobes across the country. We aim to inspire women to be bold and confident in their style while owning every room they enter.
I am so proud of how much Sincerely, Samantha has grown in the last 3 years. It feels good to know that something that was once just an idea in my notebook, has manifested into what it is today. It is a perfect reminder that I can do anything I put my mind to. I have the most amazing customers and I appreciate them more than they know. In such a competitive market, they could shop with anyone but they chose me.
I love casually scrolling social media and seeing women in Sincerely, Samantha. Recently, I spotted a few of my pieces on Lifetime! There is so much more to come, stay tuned!
If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
Ambition has been essential to my success. It has helped me stay motivated, and continue to work towards achieving my business goals.
My strong desire to succeed, despite life challenges or setbacks, will not allow me to quit. I believe I can accomplish anything with a plan, hard work, and determination.
Contact Info:
- Website: ShopSincerelySamantha.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/ShopSincerelySamantha
- Facebook: facebook.com/ShopSincerelySamantha
Image Credits
Brandon Hopkins
