A move into the fashion design and production business seemed like a natural transition for Alana of Alana Designs. According to her, starting a business of her own just happened, saying ‘I did not choose this type of business. It chose me’. Being surrounded by fashion design and production from a young age, from her mother to grandmother, eventually making fits of her own for herself initially.
‘Getting into business just happened. I was doing what I love and had to find a way of supporting what I enjoyed doing. I always had an idea of how to sew. My grandmother was a seamstress in Rose Hall. My mother used to make clothes for my sisters and I. I started by just making clothes for myself, nothing fancy but just what would fit my body shape well. Then friends and families would like an outfit I did and requested one for themselves. And the rest is history’
Being a young woman in business for herself, Alana was faced with the challenges of juggling the tasks of studying, working, being a mother while still finding the time to get sewing done. She went on to say when she is faced with any challenges, she would consult with her seamstress mentor Korean Williams of Korean Designs better known as Aggie.
However when asked if she would do anything differently she said absolutely not, saying that she would have actually started her entrepreneurial journey earlier in her life.
‘I would have started at a much earlier age. By now I would have had my factory up and running.’
Reflecting on some of the highlights of being her own boss, what sticks out most to the young designer is the look of satisfaction on the faces of her clients.
‘I enjoy the look on my customers’ faces when they are pleased with the fit of their outfit.’
Alana says that while she does consider herself to be successful, she does not measure her success by just dollars and cents. She measures her success by having recurring customers, taking that as a sign that she’s done such a good job that they just had to come back for more.
‘Yes I am very successful. To the point where I have to refuse requests. It may sound crazy because I do not measure my success by money, by finance. I measure my success by the repeated customers. I know if I do a bad job they would never return for another outfit.’
When asked what are some must have qualities of an entrepreneur shared the following:
1.A risk taker. Not being afraid to create something outside the norm
2.Inquiring mind. Always hungry for knowledge.
3 Being Adventurous
She advised other young women who are considering starting a business of their own to just take the leap and start it, giving the assurance that there is a client base out there ready and waiting for them. Speaking specifically to those looking to get into her field of fashion design Alana said ‘Do it there are enough clients out there for all of us to be successful.’
Alana said she has not found her niche area when it comes to fashion yet, so as it stands she designs and produces whatever her clients want, never shying away from a request, and going out of her way to learn more in order to put that look of satisfaction on the face of her customers.
‘I have not found my niche area yet. I produce whatever the customer wants. I don’t ever say NO I CAN’T. My response has always been sure I can. Then I would consult with my seamstress mentor, or go to the University of YouTube or refer to the High school of Pinterest.’
So far she has produced: Clothing for women, Bridal gowns and bridesmaids gowns, shirts, beach pants and dress pants for men, ties for men, Boxers, swimsuits, bucket hats, bonnets, medical scrubs, cushions of all shapes and sizes, drapes, curtains, shower curtains, bathroom mat sets, ladies’ handbags and school uniforms.
On upcoming projects that she has in the pipeline, Alana said that she intends to introduce a line of clothing for dogs and cats, which she hopes to debut at a fashion show on December, 18th.