Meet Dana Buchanan | Model, Entrepreneur, & Fashion Blogger

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

Hi Dana, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
The thought process behind starting my own business “Dopeminkssss” was to create a side hustle based on something that I love which is makeup. I learned how to create my own look and I’ve always been very specific with the lashes I chose to wear to complete my look. At this time in my life I just moved back to Jackson, MS for graduate school in 2019. I did not have a job yet, just a refund check to survive off of. This was one of the hardest moments in my life. With that money I ordered 50 pairs of lashes and that was the beginning of a successful lash business. I knew when I sold my first 50 lashes, that this was something I really wanted to continue. I knew starting my business, I would have to work hard to expand. Not only was I focused on my business and being my own boss, but I wanted to stay focused on graduate school as well. I eventually wanted to sell apparel/merchandise and jewelry for my business and I did just that. I moved back to Atlanta, GA in 2020 and I continued to expand my business. I came back with a box full of customized Dickie shirts, I made for my lash business, which led me to my new business “dopeunisexclothing”. So many of my customers wanted those shirts and they were an exclusive set. I plan on starting an online boutique for men and women, which will launch in 2022. I want to create generational wealth for my family. Not only do I want to be my own boss, but I want the credentials as well by getting my degree(s).

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
What sets me apart from others is solely based on my background and how hard I’ve worked to support my business. Many would not believe what I have put myself through to get ahead in life and achieve my goals. I left my family in Atlanta, just to move back to Jackson, Mississippi in 2019 to successfully achieve a masters degree in Mass Communication, which was unexpected but I did it. While attending Jackson State University, I chose to work for the United States Postal Service. There were plenty of nights I would have to rush to finish my route, send off packages to my own customers, then attend class in my rain boots. I’m most proud of my dedication and strength. Everything I did was by choice, because I’m determined to be successful. This journey has not been easy for me, these moments have built my character and made me realize success does not come over night, but if you continue to work hard, you will eventually see that day and achieve many goals. My brand is strictly based off hard work and I take pride in that.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
In this beautiful city, my favorite places to eat, drink, visit, and hang out is Little Five Points and Edgewood. Little Five Points have the best resale stores such as Rag-O-Rama. This is a nice place for those who love thrifting and meeting new creative people. I’m very social and love going out to these areas to network and add on to my wardrobe when I come across dope pieces.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I want to give a huge shout out to my photographer Alexander Fresco (visuals.af), he saw my potential and believed in my look. Alexander helped me expand my business, by bringing my vision to life when it came to every idea. He was the first photographer to help me build my confidence with modeling. The visuals we created really grasped my customers attention as well as being a model for my own brand. I would not have met him, if it wasn’t for The Murals. This was a great connect, we’ve been working together since 2018.

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/cashhhcali

Image Credits
Visuals.af