We had the good fortune of connecting with Ayanna De Silva and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Ayanna, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
My brand Toute Bagai Designs is a branch of my parent company Creationz by Yanze (CBY). CBY was launched due to my love of paper products – designing and creating Invitations and Custom Prints for Weddings, Parties and Events.  In 2020, when Covid occured and weddings were at a standstill, I started looking at other ways to generate revenue and incorporate my designs.  After speaking with a few of my clients, I recognized there was a potential market for Custom Design Tees.  I began to research making tees and other types of clothing designs. My love of my Trinidadian Culture and the rest of the Culture within the Caribbean diaspora made it easy to narrow in on a niche market that helped me decide to launch Toute Bagai Designs.

What should our readers know about your business?
It was challenging a few years ago in the height of the pandemic. I almost called it quits because business was nonexistent. I decided I needed to focus my talents elsewhere and I started taking additional training courses in Business Acumen together with some Design Courses to launch another business venture.   Whenever I wanted to close the business, I would receive a huge order for custom designs and after the third attempt, I took that as a sign that I was not meant to end this journey.  Throughout this process, I learned that running a successful business takes dedication and drive.  I also learned that ALL client feedback is a gift because you learn and grow from every interaction, in addition to prioritizing your goals and writing them down.

The story of Toute Bagai stems from the origin of French Creole means “everything and everyone”, it's a "slang" word used in Trinidad and Tobago in our English colloquial dialect; so I wanted Toute Bagai Designs to be a one stop shop. Toute Bagai is a shop for all your clothing and fashion needs, whether you're looking for new everyday Caribbean inspired street-style pieces, formal outfits, or accessories that will make you stand out from the crowd. My fashion- forward team has curated the most stylish collections from all around the world, ensuring that our customers have the best variety and quality options at their fingertips.

One of my biggest accomplishments for 2024 was the launch of a new collaboration with the We J’ouvert Band from Trinidad. Our collaboration debut this year for Atlanta Carnival and it was a huge success. We sold out our J’Ouvert section for our first event in Atlanta. I am very proud of the feedback and support we received and continue to receive. We have more exciting things on the way so stay tuned for our upcoming events.

Future projects on the horizon include partnering with some local designers from Trinidad to launch a New Designer Collection that touches the mind, body and senses. I am very  excited to see where the company will go in the future and what additional collaborations I will continue to make along this journey.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
A week-long trip to Atlanta would first include a visit to see family and friends, because of the nature of our culture, we are heavy on spending quality time with close family and friends.  In Trinidad, when we hang out, we call it “Liming” so I would incorporate that as much as possible.  I would also take them to see some of the sights downtown – Coca Cola Museum, SkyView Atlanta, Georgia Aquarium; depending on the time of year we may be lucky to attend a sports game at Mercedes Benz Stadium or State Farm Arena. We would also visit a few of my favorite restaurants – such as MoBay Spice, Apt 4B or Gypsy Kitchen.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
The credit and my dedication go to my two kids, Creationz by Yanze was born out of my designing invitations for their birthday parties and other special events.  They are the backbone and inspiration for everything I have done and accomplished since I started my path t entrepreneurship in 2014.  Another driving force would be my wonderful customers because without them I would not be where I am today.

Website: https://www.toutebagaidesigns.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/toutebagaidesigns

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/toutebagaidesigns

Other: Threads – @toutebagaidesigns

Image Credits
All Product pictures and the Self portrait were taken by me

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