Meet Avia Washington | Owner of Fankara Fans & Live Experience Enthusiast

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

Hi Avia, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
Personally, I like unique things and finds. It’s like finding a hidden gem. I also enjoy world travel and live experiences. In 2009, I took a sales role in my first “real” city and “Festival Central.” I guess in my unique finds I found myself in one of the most unique places, New Orleans. I had never truly experienced festival culture until New Orleans. Like I said, I love live experiences so I began to go and enjoy festivals. The prep, the fashion, the people, the atmosphere, the energy was all infectious. While at these festivals, I’d visit the vendor marketplace and marvel at the artistry, the customer interactions, authenticity, and passion these business owners possessed. My first festival I saw so many things I wanted but wasn’t prepared to purchase because I had no idea I needed a “festival budget.” I remember meeting a vendor and I LOVED her earrings. We connected and I asked her when she’d be back. A couple months later I was prepared to shop with her at the next fest. So in essence, my intro into this environment gives some background how the seed was planted.

Fast forward, like I said, I was living in one Carnival City and wanted to experience another. I guess it’s the live experience seeker in me. I contacted my Tuskegee University Tennis Teammate which lives on the lovely island of Trinidad and Tobago. I asked her if I could come visit for Carnival and I was welcomed with open arms. In my beginning travels to Sweet T&T, I’d go souvenir shopping and of course look for unique finds. So during one my trips, I purchased 3 gifts from myself, mother, and friend. I gave my mother the fan and she said, “This is the BEST GIFT EVER!” in front of my Dad which has given her plenty of gifts. A couple of weeks later, of course New Orleans is in full Festival Season, and I am looking at how HOT everyone is. In that moment, I remembered I got “The BEST GIFT EVER!”

We all know the basis of business is presenting and providing a solution to a problem. So I hit the drawing board to figure out how I could bring this idea to life and give the people what they needed. I reached out to other Black Women business owners, turned friends, that I had patronized over the years to get insight and they gladly shared. Spring 2016 I’d gotten that first fan in my hand and by Summer 2016 I was “ready,” well as ready as can be, for my first vending event. Here we go, my first sale, and this customer said “I’ll take 4.” To this day, I will never forget that moment and nothing beats making that first sale.

Soon after that I launched the website and I have been bringing the best quality and variety of Fankara Fans ever since.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I worked 14 years, in mainly sales, with the same company and decided to leave in 2022. The challenges I’ve overcome is identifying when to exit when something or situations no longer serve me. I’m most proud of having courage and faith because that’s what propels me when fear attempts to squander me.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Interesting, I am a Georgia native and have spent countless days in Atlanta. A stress-free itinerary would involve…you guessed it…a festival! Let’s just make weekend out of One Music Fest, grab some vegan food from Tassilli’s, and top it off with a Korean Spa Day.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I’d like to dedicate this shoutout to a handful of influential Black Women business owners that inspire me directly and indirectly
as well as got me on my way. I mentioned one of the first vendors I met had infectious artistry, customer interaction, authenticity, and passion. Her name is Karma Colby of KarmaSoul International. My Trini Sister which I met playing tennis at Tuskegee University, Sanian Lewis of Sanianitos. If I wasn’t visiting her, I’m not sure if or when I would’ve placed my hands on this fan. Prior to that first vending event, Janese Brooks-Galathe and Dana Leon of Aya Designs Global helped me prepare. I think even let me borrow a tent. Kaharra Harbour of Buttafly Jonez patiently assisted me on the online side. Lastly, Brittany Martin (Rounds), was right by side on that hot June New Orleans day in 2016 when my very first customer said “I’ll take four.”

These ladies and numerous others have helped me in so many ways and I’m grateful.

Website: https://fankarafans.com

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