Meet Semajia Howard | Owner Of City Staffing Closet LLC.

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

Hi Semajia, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
Growing up in Rochester New York moving with different family members and to a foster home, I was definitely a dreamer, spending a lot of time thinking and planning for things that I would have liked to have happened in my life but in my mind were improbable and impractical. Even with Life’s obstacles I was around individuals who pushed me to be a leader and not a follower, which made me live my grown up life apologetically. I was Unapologetic in the way I thought even how I dressed and how I used to dress my two amazing sons. Fashion has always been considered fun to me, showcasing my individuality and my mood for that day, but I was at a point where I’d ask myself daily what am i here to do? what’s my calling? and it just made sense. I was already use to volunteering with the youth in various fashion shows and community service events why not combine my love for fashion to help dress them. I entertained the idea of opening a consignment shop because that was a great way to not only give back but to recycle and reuse clothing that would otherwise end up thrown away. My vision for City Staffing Closet was to be attractive to young adults and to quickly become a work closet destination for the latest trends and pieces of the season without the hefty price tag. I created City Staffing Closet a work boutique for young professionals that would only sell apparel and accessories that we all wouldn’t mind buying! The city staffing closet style can be simple for a day in the office or it can be customized through our premium styling service delivering the ultimate closet. We strongly believe if you look good, you feel good. Our goal is to help sustain the confidence in young adults through fashion every day they dress for work, school or anyplace with a professional atmosphere. Sure there are agencies that can help them dress for their success, but we pride ourselves in selling and buying fashionable work attire that’s not outdated and that are a fraction of the cost of other retail and online stores.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I believe what sets my business apart from others in my field is that I use to be that young adult, who is my target market that as my mother used to say “has steak taste with hot dog money’. Wearing everyday clothes to work with absolutely no sense of professional style. Everyday I aspire to become the best at what I do and to deliver continuous innovation around my brand and the premium styling service we offer. Building my band “Aint been no crystal stair “. (Credit- Langston Hughes) I’ve had plenty of ideas that I wanted to do but they never made it to the fulfillment stage. I am so proud that I haven’t given up on myself being a business open less than a year. I am prepared to ride out the bad days until they are all good days. I understand the value of meeting my customers’ needs. I live by my morals, principles and values which make my wins that much sweeter. I believe in partnerships and I believe those same relationships build a community of successful businesses. I’d love to partner with like-minded business who share my passion for all businesses winning not just some.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I am new to Jackson Mississippi but i act like I’ve been here for years, ask anyone! If i wanted to show friends and family a good time, The Weekend Jackson would be my go to spot. The owners make you feel like family and the food is delicious.There is never a dull moment with so much to experience at the weekend. They’ve got live music , karaoke nights , mix and mingles events and private parties. Experience the weekend any day of the week!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
Growing up with a drug-addicted parent is never ideal, Addiction can impact life in many ways and in a family setting, the effects can be far more pronounced, but in my story it wasn’t all bad. Moving with different family member and to a foster home i felt like everyone needed to be the hero in my case and took my well-being and personal growth to not follow in my mom’s early on footsteps very seriously. I was sheltered and the rules seemed to be nine times stricter than kids my age, but I’m grateful. My mother went from being an addict losing all of her children to working very hard getting us all back, regaining our trust and being clean for many, many years before she passed to cancer. Most children/adults become consumed with anger in those situations but I chose to see my mother different. I saw a women battling with something that caused her to lose everything and I saw a hero who worked very hard to get it all back. So yes my mother and everyone that contributed to my upbringing are my hero and mentors and I thank you all.

Website: www.citystaffingcloset.com

Instagram: @citystaffingcloset

Yelp: city staffing closet llc

Other: Our store City Staffing Closet is located at 1200 east county line road Ridgeland Mississippi, 39157 SUITE 826 Phone: (769)237-1012