Meet Iva Elliott | Image Specialist

We had the good fortune of connecting with Iva Elliott and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Iva, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
When I first started my business in 2012 I knew for sure that I wanted to be a business woman. I didn’t know exactly what or how. I hosted my first event in my moms closet space which was a girls playroom full of clothing and all things girly. I had 13 ladies present. It was a “closet swap” event. It was a cashless event meaning ladies literally traded or “swapped” clothing. I then asked the ladies for words of encouragement and guidance which led me to building a image brand where I shop and style the “ordinary” girl. A lot of people attempted to persuade me into being a celebrity stylist but that’s not my calling. I enjoy personalizing a variety of image services for the ordinary but no so ordinary gal!

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Professionally I am a Social Worker, MSW which is merged into my image business. I have combined the two to shed light on Psychosocial well being and self confidence and how it correlates to ones image. Creatively I am all things image related. when I style or shop for a client I go the extra mile and suggest hairstyles, nail color etc. Honestly, creating the perfect image is a form of the therapy.

I am most proud to see the growth of my brand. Starting in my kitchen selling vintage clothes out of plastic totes to selling all of my products online on my site (www.girlgoodiesbrand.com), in person from my showroom, state hoping for pop-up shops and trunk shows to hosting Girls Retreats twice a year in multiple states. In addition I have some of my items housed/sold in Vintage Frills which is a brick and mortar on the northside of Chicago (2846 N Milwaukee Ave, Chicago, IL). I also participated and/or hosted numerous fashion shows.

My educational background is in both Psychology (B.A. from Tuskegee University class of 06′) and Social Worker (M.S.W. from UIC class of 10′). Self awareness, confidence and motivation have all played a major part in my growth which was not easy. I struggled along the way in the early stage of starting my business but once I was able to see the bigger picture that this brand is not just about me, its been an uphill battle. Full of tons of emotions but well worth it.

The biggest lesson that I’ve learned is to stay focused and not to give up. You will fall short at times, people will criticize you and question your judgement but you have to stay the course. Cheer for yourself and don’t let up. The world will catch on.

I would like the world to know that its not about where you start but how you finish. I’m a girl from a small urban hood in Jersey who is coming for it all. As of recent I started sewing and customizing things from scratch, no pattern just me, my machine and a vision!

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I love to travel but I also love to host my friends as well. Usually when my friends come into town (Chicago) its because I’m hosting an event. The last time a group of my friends flew in I was hosting a “Garden Party” themed dinner. That weekend was amazing. We went to Hyde Park to a Jamaican restaurant called Ja Grill, we had beverages at The Promontory. We shopped in that area as well which was at the Akira Hyde Park Location. We went to Chicago’s Chicken and Waffles which is right around the corner from my house. We grabbed tacos from Antique Tacos which is one of my favorite taco spots in Bridgeport and of course we had to hit my families restaurant Harold’s Chicken Shack #88 located at 120 E 35th Street, Chicago, IL. That was just a two day trip for most of them and about 8 flew in.

Whenever my friends come they always want me to take them Thrifting so I typically take them to any Village Discount Outlet, Unique or Family Thrift Stores throughout the city.

Some of my favorite places to kick it are in Chicago’s Westloop and Hyde Park neighborhoods. I like The Hubbard Inn, Nobu, The Promontory, any place that sells Tacos. I like the spa so Aire Ancient Baths is an all-time favorite. I’m a pretty chill girl so the smallest things, people and places make me happy.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I am definitely a peoples person and I have a huge support group. My parents, family and friends give me a huge push daily. My mom motivates me to give everything my all and to never quit. My family and friends support me as regular patrons trusting my judgment with whatever I do. I literally travel state to state sourcing vintage and hosting intimate events and my support team will travel with me, assist me, repost flyers like a legit street team. Recently I posted in my stories that I needed local models here in Chicago and my bestfriend who is in Jersey sent it to her teen daughter. Long story short I found a cheap roundtrip flight for $97 dollars and boom we created magic behind the lens.

I also couldn’t credit my CREATor enough! I know that there is a high power guiding little ol’ me because i used to be so doubtful about my creative journey and over the years my confidence has increased in addition to my faith base.

My immediate creative friends motivate me daily as well. We collaborate so much that people sometimes think that we are one brand however we are 4 brands under the roof of one. @_theyknowus on IG but that page is fairly new!

Website: www.girlgoodiesbrand.com

Instagram: iva_of_girlgoodies

Facebook: Girl Goodies Brand

Image Credits
These pictures are my personal pic except for the 2 styling pics are from @adamzeye on IG for his Get Money Brand