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

Hi Ilaya, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
My businesses were birth out of my passions. I became an author in 2010. My love of poetry and story telling oozed out of me while completing my Associates degree. The Turn That Floozy Series was birth. I worked for other employers and I didn’t want anyone else will hooks or entitlements to my work. I decided to self publish my works. When you’re self published you’re the one that does the writing, editing, advertising, marketing and legalizing the body of work so no one can steal it. And Amazed, my online clothing store, was birthed when I was laid off in 2015 and I could no longer work retail management due to scheduling being a new mother. I missed styling for photo shoots and fashion shows. Online retail was gaining more traction and was super convenient for a single mother. My thoughts at this time was centered around running my business conveniently so that I can balance work and life.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I’m most proud that my love to create has given my daughter something to remember me by for years to come. There was times of writers block, bad editing and life changes that either delayed or threw plans completely off. As a retailer I had to pivot when sales were slow and shut down my brick and mortar. Working out of my home solely packing merchandise out of my closet to changing over to drop shipping. I love owning a business because changes cause you to adapt and stretch in ways you didn’t know you could.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
The shops at Five Points is a great place to get eclectic clothing and accessories, not to mention eatery is amazing. One of my favorite places is Kat’s Cafe. They have live music, great food and awesome drinks. Comedy shows are my thing also a fav so we MUST attend a show at Uptown Comedy Corner.
Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’d like to shout out Terri Whitmire for encouraging me in my writing career. Pastor Jay Jordan for continuous knowledge and expertise in areas of ministry and business.

Website: andamazed.com
Instagram: authoridb
Facebook: andamazed & authoridb

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