Meet Valerie Thomas | Retail Strategist, Youth Mentor & Coach!

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

Hi Valerie, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?

My thought process began with a simple, personal observation: families like mine wanted stylish, well-made children’s clothing and positive spaces where kids could be seen, celebrated, and developed—not just dressed. Clay Luxury Kids started as my answer to a gap I kept running into: quality and authenticity in kids’ fashion were either hard to find or priced out of reach, and there wasn’t a consistent pipeline from “cute outfit” to “confident child stepping into their gifts.” I believed those two things belonged together.

From my military background, I brought discipline, organization, and a service mindset; from motherhood, I brought protection and possibility—how do we shield kids from the noise and still let them shine? That’s why the store came first: to curate licensed, authentic brands and everyday luxury that holds up to real life. But I quickly realized clothes were only half the story. Parents would tell me, “My child lights up in your store,” and I wanted that feeling to be more than a moment. Clay Model Academy became the natural extension—turning a shopping trip into a journey of confidence, leadership, and skill.

I built both brands around three pillars: excellence, access, and impact. Excellence means we don’t cut corners—authentic product, thoughtful merchandising, professional training, and clear standards. Access means we meet families where they are—price points that make sense, programming that welcomes beginners and honors advanced talent, and partnerships with schools and community leaders. Impact means measurable growth: not just sales or runway photos, but posture, eye contact, vocabulary, discipline, teamwork—the quiet wins that last longer than a trend cycle.

Strategically, I wanted a closed-loop ecosystem: Clay Luxury Kids as the front door to style and self-expression, and Clay Model Academy as the classroom, stage, and leadership lab. In practice, that looks like a child discovering a look they love, then learning cadence counts, facing movements, and multiple runway styles; practicing respect and responsibility through our LDRSHIP-inspired values; and ultimately stepping onto a stage with a story—not just a strut. The fashion showcase becomes a character-building moment. The purchase becomes participation.

I also thought deeply about representation and narrative. Too often, kids—especially in under-served communities—see fashion only as consumption. I wanted them to see the full chain: design, styling, production, marketing, leadership, wellness, and community service. Our shows, classes, and brand partnerships are intentionally designed to expose students to real roles and real standards, so they can dream specifically and execute professionally.

Finally, I made a founder’s promise: family first, then business; people over hype; process over shortcuts. I measure success by the child who stands taller after 12 weeks, the parent who finally finds quality they trust, and the alumni who return to mentor the next group. Starting my own business wasn’t just entrepreneurship—it was building a platform where fashion is the hook, confidence is the outcome, and community is the legacy.

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?
Clay Luxury Kids was born in 2017 out of a simple but powerful frustration: there weren’t enough spaces where children could experience real quality fashion that felt stylish, age-appropriate, and accessible. I wanted to redefine kids’ luxury—not just through labels, but through experience. Today, Clay Luxury Kids has evolved into a curated children’s fashion brand carrying over 300 authentic licensed lines, offering everything from everyday streetwear to runway-ready collections. Our stores are designed to feel like a blend between a high-end boutique and a community hub—parents shop, kids connect, and confidence is built naturally.

From that foundation came Clay Model Academy (CMA)—the training and developmental arm of the brand. CMA focuses on youth confidence, leadership, health, and character through modeling, fitness, and life-skills education. We train students ages 3–18 in runway, print, posture, communication, and our signature LDRSHIP values: loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, honor, integrity, and personal courage. Our showcases are intentionally structured to tell a story—each show is part discipline, part dream.

What sets us apart is that we’re not just teaching fashion—we’re teaching foundation. Everything we do is rooted in confidence, discipline, and representation. We’re showing kids that their individuality is their luxury. Our students leave not just knowing how to walk a runway, but how to walk into any room with posture, purpose, and pride.

Getting here wasn’t easy. I built this while being a mother, a wife, and a veteran, often balancing late nights and early mornings. There were seasons where the vision was bigger than the budget—but consistency beat comfort every time. I learned to lean on faith, adaptability, and community partnerships. I faced moments of doubt, especially as a woman of color building in both the fashion and education industries, but I kept reminding myself: representation creates transformation.

Some of my biggest lessons have been to protect your vision, pace your growth, and never confuse being busy with being effective. I learned that purpose must lead profit. When you move with integrity, opportunities align that you could never plan for.

Today, what I’m most proud of isn’t just the storefronts or the shows—it’s the impact. It’s the shy 7-year-old who learns to command a stage, or the teenager who finds leadership in a world that constantly tries to define her. It’s seeing parents cry tears of pride, realizing their child has found belonging and purpose.

What I want the world to know is this: Clay is more than a brand—it’s a movement. It’s about building leaders through fashion, modeling, and mentorship. It’s about showing the next generation that luxury starts within, and confidence is the ultimate accessory.

Every stitch, every show, every student—represents polished grit: the ability to shine, even through the struggle. And that’s the heartbeat of Clay.

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.
If my best friend was visiting Atlanta for the week, I’d make sure they got the full Clay experience — a mix of fashion, culture, food, and inspiration that reflects what this city is all about: style, soul, and substance.

Day 1 – The Welcome:
We’d start with brunch at Toast on Lenox or Breakfast at Barney’s—because you can’t start a trip to Atlanta without shrimp and grits or a mimosa done right. After brunch, we’d stop by Ponce City Market for shopping, rooftop views, and that nostalgic city energy. The evening would end with dinner at The Garden Room—a whimsical, floral dream that feels like stepping into a fashion editorial spread.

Day 2 – The Clay Experience:
This day would be all about creativity and purpose. We’d stop by Clay Luxury Kids for a behind-the-scenes tour and maybe a mini styling session or photoshoot moment, followed by a visit to Clay Model Academy to see one of our cadences or leadership classes in action. That evening, we’d unwind at The Battery—grab dinner at Superica, walk the stadium, maybe even catch a Braves game.

Day 3 – The Culture Fix:
We’d explore The High Museum of Art, Trap Music Museum, and The National Center for Civil and Human Rights—because Atlanta’s influence runs deep, from art to activism to music. For lunch, Old Lady Gang or Slutty Vegan—two women-owned powerhouses redefining Atlanta culture.

Day 4 – Spa + Style:
Every entrepreneur and mom needs a reset day, so we’d book a luxury spa experience at JeJu Sauna or Exhale Spa Buckhead. Later, we’d have dinner at Nobu and drinks at Drawbar inside Bellyard Hotel for skyline views and conversations that spark new ideas.

Day 5 – Local Love:
We’d do a day trip to Alpharetta or Avalon for boutique shopping, desserts at Kilwins, and a little Clay-inspired window shopping. I’d take them by North Point Mall—the future home for some of my favorite fashion activations—and then end the night with soulful live music at City Winery.

Day 6 – Family + Food:
We’d spend the afternoon at Piedmont Park or Atlantic Station, letting the kids run while we grab gourmet popsicles from King of Pops. Dinner would be all about southern comfort—probably Paschal’s or Atlanta Breakfast Club for fried chicken that feels like a hug.

Day 7 – Sunday Reset:
We’d close the week the way I close mine—church service at The Faith Center or New Birth Missionary Baptist Church, followed by brunch at The Real Milk & Honey. Then, we’d have a quiet evening walk through Centennial Olympic Park to reflect on the week, talk dreams, and plan the next big chapter.

What makes Atlanta special to me—and what I’d want anyone visiting to feel—is that it’s a city where dreams meet drive. There’s history, hustle, heart, and style all wrapped in one. Every corner is a story, every meal is a vibe, and every day reminds you that you’re standing in a place where culture isn’t followed—it’s created.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’d like to dedicate my shoutout first and foremost to my family—my husband, William, and our sons, Caden, Clayton and our soon to be third baby boy due in 2026. They are truly the heart behind everything I create. Each of them represents a different part of the “why” behind Clay Luxury Kids and Clay Model Academy. William’s steady support and quiet strength keep me grounded. Caden’s drive and discipline inspire me to raise the bar. Clayton’s creativity reminds me to keep things fun and full of personality. Baby boy number 3 represents new beginnings—proof that purpose keeps evolving.

I also have to acknowledge the incredible parents, models, and students of Clay Model Academy who believed in the vision before it was fully formed. They’ve shown up—rain or shine, rehearsal after rehearsal—and trusted me to pour into their children’s confidence and leadership. They remind me every single day why the mission matters.

A huge thank you also goes to our village of coaches, stylists, photographers, and creative partners who help turn every show and program into something magical. To the many team members who have led by example and embodied the LDRSHIP values we teach—loyalty, duty, respect, selfless service, health, integrity, and personal courage.

On a deeper level, I’m thankful for my military background, which instilled in me structure, resilience, and an understanding that leadership starts with service. The lessons I learned in uniform now shape how I run every aspect of my brands—with precision, pride, and purpose.

Lastly, I have to give a shoutout to every woman entrepreneur and mother balancing vision with everyday life. They all inspire me to keep creating spaces where passion meets structure, and where our kids can see that success isn’t just possible—it’s sustainable.

So this shoutout is for the village behind the vision—the family, the faith, the community, and the countless hands that help Clay grow. None of this happens alone, and I’m forever grateful for each one who plays a part in the story.

Website: https://ClayLuxuryKids.com

Instagram: clay luxury kids / Clay Model Academy

Linkedin: Clay Brand

Image Credits
IG: Ahsaevisions

IG: Ziglorphotos