Meet Keyunna Baker: Clothing Boutique Owner / Entrepreneur

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

Hi Keyunna, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
It was only a matter of time that I started my own business. I come from a long line of business owners/entrepreneurs and it was something that I have always wanted to do. I have an eye for fashion, putting pieces and looks together. I honestly never thought about starting my own clothing business until I was hired by a coworker to be her personal shopper. I did not realize how fulfilling and gratifying it was to help someone look and feel their best by helping them update their wardrobe until my co worker came to me the next day with her new outfit on . She was so excited about the compliments she received and I could tell her confidence had been boosted all because of what she was wearing. Additionally, volunteering as a Personal Stylist at Dress for Success and working in retail as a stylist , gave me the confidence I needed to start my own business. It feels good to be a trusted source.

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?
Shoebox by Ki is an online, mobile, pop up and in person clothing boutique located in Portland, OR. We offer a curated selection of exclusive, on trend clothing, shoes and accessories. What sets us apart and makes us so unique is that we are not fast fashion, but fashion that lasts. We are Portlands Trusted Style Authority. We are the go to destination to find elevated clothing for the woman on the go. We weave together intuitive styling with the goal of making the everyday woman feel like the only woman.. We are most proud and excited about the daily growth and the changes we have been making behind the scenes to create an even greater and memorable customer experience. Prayer, hard work, faith, consistency, confidence and having a flexible plan has helped us overcome our challenges and gotten us where we are. We are still growing and learning as we grow. Nothing is ever easy. Anything worth having, is worth working hard for. The most important lesson, we have learned along the way is : don’t be afraid to ask for help and don’t be afraid to take breaks to breath and re group if you get overwhelmed. I would love for the world to know that this brand was started out of love. We love to make each woman feel and look her best.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
If my best friend was visiting Portland, OR and I wanted to show her the best time ever, I would take her to : Mt. Hood Ski Bowl to enjoy the snow and do some snow tubing Abbey Creek – Portland’s only Black Owned Hip Hop Winery for some wine and hip hop music and food Capitol PDX to eat Chef Kiara Hardy’s bomb food Seaside Beach to enjoy the ocean Multnomah Falls for hiking and to see and experience the waterfalls We would also hit up different restaurants and food carts around town. Portland is a city with a plethora of restaurants. We are foodies here, so a lot of eating would be happening in between everything else.Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I’d like to shout out my two brothers Melvyn and Louis, and my family for their on going support, my angel friend and fellow ATLien – Janae Werts who helped me center my focus regarding my business. My community of friends, my girls Day Bibb of Helen Rose Skincare, Samaiyah , my community of small business owners and most of all, my amazing customers who support me !

Website: http://www.shoeboxbyki.com

Instagram: @shoeboxbyki

Image Credits
Image Credits: Model Janae Werts, Photographer Wiley Image