Meet Jasmene Bowdry: Fashion Entrepreneur | Speaker | Retail Strategist

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

Hi Jasmene, what role has risk played in your life or career?
Honestly life is nothing but a series of calculated risks. Everything that you decide to do has some type of risk involved. No outcome is ever 100 percent certain and, therefore, any attempt at anything has a chance of complete failure. Some risk you take, some you avoid. When I finished undergrad I moved to New York City. I knew 1 or 2 people living there, but I knew in order to have a career in fashion ( this was my mindset in my early 20’s), I NEEDED to live in the fashion capital, so I moved. And that move resulted in me working in the buying offices at Saks, becoming a fashion stylist, working at New York Fashion Week, and traveling the world. In 2018 I decided I was going to leave the corporate world and move to Atlanta. I had an entire plan laid out of how much I wanted to save, when I was giving my notice, everything. Well, you know what, I got fired! Naturally your brain will tell you to abort mission, or start over. However, I decided to still move on my scheduled date. Taking that risk with having only a small savings(compared to my initial plan), got my brand featured in The Market at Macy’s Lenox Square, my first national television appearance, tons of press, speaking engagements, and connections. “Bigger the risks, greater the reward”. So I like to think of myself as a risk taker. Without taking risk, I wouldn’t be doing this interview today.

Please tell us more about your business. We’d love to hear what sets you apart from others, what you are most proud of or excited about. How did you get to where you are today business-wise. Was it easy? If not, how did you overcome the challenges? What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way. What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?
I am the Founder & CEO of SHIFT StyleHouse, the online destination of versatile fashion for the modern day renaissance woman. As well as, The Boutique Teacher, where I teach emerging boutique owners how to scale their online business. In both businesses I think what sets me apart is my professionalism, passion for what I do and who I serve, and integrity. Growing 1 business is hard, let alone 2! It has not been easy at all, but that is part of this beautiful journey of being an entrepreneur. All challenges are opportunities to teach you. They are all teachable moments. Some of the lessons Ive learned : 1) You can’t do everything. Burn out is real and it can cause mental, emotional and physical challenges. 2) Operate in your zone of genius and outsource everything else. 3) Your family and friends are not your ideal customers/clients and that’s okay. 4) Be patient. Your business will not just magically grow overnight. It takes time. Appreciate the journey and trust the process.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
We would start off with brunch at Mission + Market from there do some shopping around The Shops at Buckhead then head to Little Five Points to walk around. Also do some tourist activities like visiting the MLK historic sitesI After that head back north to Buckhead to grab drinks at The Regent before heading to dinner reservations at The Garden Room. After dinner more drinks and music at Bar Margot inside Four Seasons in Midtown.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
Jesus will forever get the credit, but I would like to dedicate this shoutout to my mom. I don’t have children but.I know as a parent you always want the best for them. When I told my mom I was going full-time in entrepreneurship she was like okay, sure and then be like so when are you going to get a job lol. I think after my first year of “making it on my own” as a full -time entrepreneur, she began to understand more. I would share with her my strategies and revenue goals. My vision. Sometimes she may not understand but she has been totally loving, supportive, encouraging and prayerful. Love you mommy!