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

Hi Antoinette, what do you attribute your success to?
The most crucial aspect is that I have never given up on my business. As a first-generation entrepreneur and a person of colour, I realized quickly how much work I had to put into making my business a success. And during this journey as a creative entrepreneur, I went through downfalls in my personal life that I didn’t think I would ever bounce back from. What motivated me and still kept me going was my business. My passion for fashion and creating a safe space for all individuals to be stylish and confident. There are going to be times on your business journey when you feel like you’re not worthy, not getting anything right or there’s something in your personal life that’s out of your control that can mess you up. It’s important to realize that your dreams and passions are more significant than what you’re going through. So keep persevering even when you don’t see the light under the tunnel.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
The House of AJ (my business baby) is a one-stop fashion hub that provides a body-positive space to all clients and has them feel confident in themselves through fashion and style. I started the House of AJ with my first ever event company called Cocktails with Antoinette. I was a fashion blogger and got sexually assaulted back in 2017, and I ended up trying to commit suicide. The only thing that kept me going was my love for plus-size fashion. I wanted to push for a more inclusive space in the Canadian fashion industry, so I decided to host my body-positivity and self-love events and from there, the rest was history. I self-published a book called Curvy Girl Magic in 2018 (which is on amazon and barbs and nobles by the way) and started taking my fashion styling more seriously that same year which grew to Antoinette J Styles. For the past two years, I have worked on music videos, reality tv, commercials, e-commerce shoots for major Canadian brands and runway styling at NYFW. I never felt more fulfilled and passionate about anything in my life. One of the things that I am proud of was when I got nominated for fashion stylist of the year for the BFBG awards. It was something that I never thought would happen, and it confirmed my dreams are valid because people used to tell me that the fashion industry isn’t meant for a person who looks or acts like me.

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.
I haven’t visited Atlanta yet but I really want to since I met some amazing people online who are from there. If my home girls and I visit, I think the places that I want to see are trap music museum, a movie or performance at Fox Theatre and try the amazing restaurants in the city.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
There are so many people who contribute to the success of my business, if I list all of them it would probably take forever. But I do want to shoutout every person who has supported me cause I wouldn’t be here without the outpouring love and encouragement that each person gave me. My mother is one person who I want to shoutout because she instilled the love I have for fashion and she taught me to go after my dreams. To my people (chosen family) I want to shout you out for always forever being by my side through my business journey.

Website: https://antoinettejstyles.com

Instagram: https://Instagram.com/_antoinettejohnson

Twitter: https://twitter.com/_antoinettejohn

Youtube: https://youtube.com/channel/UCga_5tAm55EwcIGE1qNeeBw

Image Credits
main photo credit: Foxus Mzukaflani Corset look Credit: Gabriel Di Sante

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutAtlanta is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.