Shantel Davis — Business Stories Mag

Shantel Davis - Founder of Colors Are Beautiful

Hey! So nice to speak with you! Can you tell our readers a little bit more about yourself? Where are you originally from and where do you live now?

Hello everyone my name is Shantel Davis. I am from Miami Florida. I am a Seamstress and Fashion Designer. I have always been in love with art and fashion ever since I was 11 years old. I enjoyed taking art lessons. But I also wanted to learn how to sew. When I was 13 years old I learned how to sew when I was taking Home Economics class. Eventually it became an addiction so during my high school years I have been sketching my dream designs and making my own portfolios for them. I own like a lot of portfolios full of my fashion sketches. When I was 17 years old I created my very first outfit without a pattern for a talent show I was in. Everyone fell in love with my outfit.

So you can say that fashion is my passion. It always feels so good when they ask me where did I get my outfit from? I always say proudly I made it myself. Most people that I know and don't know usually falls in love with my outfits that I wear and made myself. So that's why I was moved to come up with a clothing line back in October 2012 which is called Colors Are Beautiful because when I create my clothing I always use all the colors of the rainbow. I also use a lot of design prints including animal prints. My favorite animal print that I love to use the most is the leopard print in different colors because the print is classy and sassy at the same time. I also have a sewing background in my household because my Mom use to sew. She use to sew for my older siblings ever since they were younger. She use to cut and sew meaning sew without a pattern.

My Grandma, My Aunt, My Sisters used to sew and they all gave it up. I am the only one that is keeping it alive and I enjoy doing it. I always love it when my Clients are satisfied with their dream outfits designed by me.

Tell us one thing you love about each place?

I was born and raised in Miami Florida. My parents are from St. Kitts. My Siblings are from St. Thomas. So basically I have lived in Miami Florida all of my life. Also what I love about each place is the different cultures, the clothing styles that they wear, the different food. Lastly the different languages that they speak.

Tell us a little bit more about what your company does and how it started? How does it help your customers?

Colors Are Beautiful is a clothing line that I started back in October 2, 2012 because I always love to design in color. Without Color my clothing will look boring and dull. So Nobody wants boring clothing. This will help my customers because I design for Women, Men and Children. I also design for all shapes and sizes because everyone loves clothes. So I always love variety and it is fun working with different kinds of people. In 2019 I decided to get my business registered through Sunbiz.org because I want everyone to know that I am capable of managing my own sewing and fashion business.

I have studied at a prestigious college to learn how to do that. I have studied Business Management and Marketing and I enjoyed learning every bit of it. So when you google me you can find me as Colors Are Beautiful LLC now. I have sold over 50 of my custom made clothing through the years and now in many avenues whether it is online, in person and through Consignment Shops so I am very proud of all of my accomplishments.

What was one feedback from a happy customer/client that you won’t forget about?

Most of my Clients will say that my clothing are comfortable and fun to wear. When I hear those words it makes me feel that I am doing something right.

What’s the biggest misconception about your industry?

When dealing with Scammers or Fraudsters that tries to defraud my business. I have blocked, reported and deleted all the scammers that has tried to scam me and my business. Unfortunately it has happened to me I have lost a lot of money due to scam but I have learned my lesson from all of that.

So now and in the future I am being on my P's and Q's for the scammers that are lurking around online. So far I have not had that problem. If I do experience that problem I will just keep on blocking, deleting and reporting them. So that was the biggest misconception in my industry basically dealing with Scammers and Fraudsters.

What was your favorite music artist and athlete growing up?

My favorite music is Pop, House, Dance, R&B, Soft Rock, Soul and Jazz. I don't have a favorite artist to be honest because I listen to all of them. As long as I like their songs I am good. I don't have a favorite athlete because I am not a sports fan. I watch gymnastics and figure skating shows and swimming shows every now and then but I am not a sports fanatic. I am more into beauty and fashion.

What has been one of your biggest struggle building your business and how did you deal with it?

Finding the right people that will support me now and in the future. Also dealing with people who are always entitled to discounts. I mean I don't mind giving discounts on my custom made items but I can't do that all the time. Other than that I haven't had any other struggles in my business.

Where do you find your Models and what types of models are you looking for?

I found most of my Models through Model Mayhem, Instagram and Facebook.I am looking for Female and Male Models of all shapes and sizes. Height doesn't matter. Christmas Brothers & Auto Transport.

How do you want Models to Represent Your Brand?

I want them to understand all the assignments from poses and catwalk and if they pass the test and take what they are doing seriously those are the ones I will use.

How do you make sales without doing Fashion Shows frequently?

I go about making sales in different avenues whether it is wearing my own clothing, advertising my sales on my line of clothing through my online boutiques and Consignment store that I am in. Again I don't want to just stick to only one avenue as far as making sales. It's good to switch it up.

Any shoutouts you want to make?

I would like to give a shoutout to my Top Models for not only representing my brand but also buying their favorite clothing designed by me. They are Monica Faulk- @italianbeachmodel, Dana Hopson- @danabthe1stlady, Damyah Hopson-@damyahhopson12 and last but not least is Crystal Wilkins- @chocolatediamond2005. And all of the Models that I have worked with through the years that I have not mentioned.And lastly my friends auto transport business Imperial Xpress.