Meet Veronica Aldridge | CEO & Owner Glamaurie the Label, LLC

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

Hi Veronica, can you tell us more about your background and the role it’s played in shaping who you are today?
I was born in Chicago, IL however I was raised in an incredibly small town by the name of Brinkley, AR. Relocating from Chicago, IL to Brinkley, AR was like a culture shock indeed. To leaving valuables in plain sight, hunting, and the media focusing their stories on local news, it was a cultural difference to say the least! Being born in Chicago was no walk in the park and relocating to Brinkley was also something that required some getting used too. Growing up in such a small town, the resources were limited, and it had its fair share of drawbacks. With so few people around, gossip spread like wildfire and traveled at the speed of light, so if you lacked in anything the entire city knew within seconds. Nevertheless, being raised in a tight-knit community also had its perks. If you were raised in Brinkley, everyone around was pretty much like family and they would be there to support your triumphs and struggles. However, that wasn’t the case for my family and me.

When I started High School, I was no popular kid, and at this time in my life it was still a game of finding where I fit in. Unfortunately, it was a bit of a struggle to find girls that accepted my true authentic self, so I morphed to be like the “cool kids” to eventually “fit in.” After graduating from High School and moving on to attend college, I made a vow to myself that I would never play myself like that again. In college, I had no idea that I would become an entrepreneur. I knew in my wildest dreams that I would be that 2nd grade teacher that I’ve always desired to be. Becoming a 2nd grade teacher was heavily inspired by my 2nd Grade Teacher, now God Mother, Mrs. Margaret Williams. She took me under her wings to alleviate some of the pressure of my mom having to support 5 small children single handedly. This was the detrimental force to me being able to witness the finer things in life and gravitating towards those finer things in life.

My childhood was spent in the projects, coincidently and formally known as Chicago Street. Living in the projects, there were no inspirational stories, yet alone Entrepreneurs that looked like myself. Reflecting on my childhood, I remember not being able to have the best things and at this time in my life, I wasn’t fazed by this. Ultimately, all I valued was being around my siblings and being happy and with each other because all we ever always had was us. My mom, Angela did all that she could to make ends meet, and on most occasions that looked like working 2 jobs at a time, which limited our quality and candid moments with her.

After I graduated from Brinkley High School, I obtained my bachelor’s degree from the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, and as you can probably guess– I was a first-generation college student, first generation Greek student (Alpha Kappa Alpha, Sorority Inc.), and now a first-generation Entrepreneur. While in High School I never had less than a 3.5 G.P.A. and I made sure I carried these same attributes with me throughout my entire college journey. I can positively say that I am the inspirational story for my brothers and sisters. Knowing this allows me to keep stepping out on faith and stepping up.

I started Glamaurie the Label, LLC September 2020 and it has been one of the most rewarding and scariest things I have ever encountered. I started this business with little to no knowledge of entrepreneurship and a lack of funds and resources. However, I did not let this hinder me from starting because I knew I had my 5 siblings and now daughter, Amaurie looking up to me! Honestly speaking, it all boiled down too “If I don’t do it, who will?” I remember how emotionally rewarding it felt when my God Mother could frivolously afford to take me shopping, out to eat, etc. and I knew I wanted my daughter and 5 siblings to experience this same gratification. Coming from this kind of background and upbringing, it did and has had a great impact on the woman I am today.

I walked away from my teaching career, March 1, 2021, and I made another vow to myself that I would not turn back. God, my #1 supporter (my mom, Angela) family, and friends, has made it all possible thus far for me to able to live my American Dream. When things get rocky in business, sure I can give up and go back to Corporate America, but I know in the back of my mind that I can only get so far.

Having my own business, I know that I oversee where and when the money comes and where the money goes, and it is a feeling far greater than words can explain. To sum up my thoughts, I refuse to allow my daughter and siblings to live our ‘childhood life’ when there is life on the other side. Thinking back, sure my childhood was hard, but now that I am older, I am grateful for it all! Those tough times exposed the ‘beast’ in me, and one thing for sure…. tough times don’t last, tough people do, and I can 100% attest that this beast is in for the long haul! The day that I can hire my siblings at Glamaurie the Label, LLC HQ and retire my mom, would be the day that I can confidently scream at the top of my lungs, ‘I MADE IT” and I won’t stop until I get there.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
I have always had a keen eye for fashion, so I guess you can say it was destined for me to uphold a career in a field related to fashion. However, never in my wildest dreams did I think that I would pursue those ‘fashion aspirations’ by becoming a first generation Entrepreneur—Boutique owner specifically.

After working relentlessly in Early Childhood Education, I started to obsess over a new-found craze— fashion AND Entrepreneurship. Fast forward to September 2020, Glamaurie the Label was birthed, and we are thrilled to be part of the fashion industry. Glamaurie the Label takes pride in styling and gracing her wardrobe with our wide array of statement-making apparel and accessories. From girls’ night out, soirées, concerts, and all special occasions in between, we’ve got you covered. Our looks are sure to WOW the crowd, and will be the conversation starter without a shadow of doubt.

After betting on myself, I walked away from my teaching career in March 2021. This lit a fire inside of me, and I decided to turn things up a notch with Glamaurie the Label. I knew this business was now my bread and butter. This business was now 100% the overseer of my next paycheck, my fantasies, heck— my entire life! I knew that if I didn’t work, I didn’t eat. What started as just a crazy fashion obsession has now transformed into the women’s destination for statement-making apparel and accessories, locally. When the girls are searching for looks for a birthday, brunch, vacation, and all occasions in between, Glamaurie the Label is the brand that comes to mind!

In less than 2 short years, I have managed to become a household brand within my state and I can’t wait to say that very thing on a global scale! I have surpassed and lived some of the most unimaginable moments with Glamaurie the Label and it has truly been life-changing! May 2021, God, my family, and my supporters allowed me to witness something major for Glamaurie the Label. I opened my very first brick and mortar in Arkansas. Within 6 months, we outgrew that space and had to relocate to a much larger and desirable space where I am able to fulfill all duties for Glamaurie the Label under one roof, and I am truly truly grateful to have been chosen for the assignment.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Atlanta Botanical Garden would be on our list! We love a good Instagram moment, and this place is nothing short of ‘Instagrammable.” From the display gardens, shady woodlands, and rose bushes my friend would be in for a treat. We would eat at the Garden room for the best dining and bar experience ever! Of course, we can’t forget shopping, so we would totally visit Lenox Mall in hopes of seeing some of our celebrity crushes!
Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would like to give a major shoutout to my Mom, Angela Aldridge for being my #1 supporter! She supports whatever vision I have and I can always count on her to cheer me on! She is the reason why I can’t and won’t give up. I watched her overcome some of life’s greatest trials, and I aspire to have that same relentless force.

I would also like to give a major shoutout to my God Parents Margaret and Floyd Williams for believing in me, and instilling in me a number of positive traits that I am able to carry with me throughout my life journey.

I would also like to give a major shoutout to my Fiancé, Patrick Webster for listening to all of my wild and crazy ideas, helping me to see the vision and make it plain, believing in my me when I can’t believe in myself, and uplifting and encouraging me when my eyes are too full of tears to be able to see just 1 step of this long and winding staircase.

Website: www.glamaurie.com

Instagram: @glamauriethelabel

Twitter: @glamauriethelabel

Facebook: @glamauriethelabel

Youtube: @veronicalatriese

Other: TikTok– @glamauriethelabel

Image Credits
Lillian Dylan