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

Hi Dana, what is the most important factor behind your success?
The most important factor behind success and the success of my brand is INTEGRITY! Integrity plays a strong role in my everyday life so it emerges into my business.

Integrity sets the foundation of my core values of my business/brand from there we have honesty, trust, accountability, dignity, innovation and creativity lastly, but most important RESPECT!

Integrity defines what I do and who I am when no one is around. It’s how I show up or perform when I’m doing something that I love to do and when I’m doing something I don’t care to do.

Integrity is the starting point of Success!

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I started sketching when I wanted to see different types of clothing in my city. So, I started buying clothes and cutting them glueing some of them back together or sewing them by hand because at the time I didn’t have a sewing machine. Years later I finally got a sewing machine for Christmas, but and didn’t use it for years because I didn’t know how.

Throughout the years I’ve tried to stay away from the sewing machine because I seemed so tedious and time consuming. However, I’ve grown to embrace it and I love it! I just keep sewing and learning over and over again.

I kept sewing but it still wasn’t easy for me. I felt at times like my voice (my fashion) wasn’t being heard, the way I dressed and how I wore my hair was misunderstood a lot where I live. I didn’t have an outlet, a dose or  place to be me, freely without being judged. [As a creative an outlet is a must]. That safe space or outlet didn’t come for years and it took me to a dark place. The dark place where I was began to intensify and and after a procedure I had took a turn for the worst it became too much I attempted to take my life.

Thank GOD I am still here living, loving, creating and designing! Along the way I’ve learned that there are many obstacles that will keep you from doing what was placed inside of you and most of the time the voices are inside our own heads. We must overcome them with words of affirmation and confirmation that were  promised to us.

I want the World to know that my brand strives to provide the best Customer Experience and provide an Undefined Style with Innovative Fashion while being unapologetic. We don’t make excuses for who we are! We use our gift and talents to share and encourage others along this journey called life.  Zuri Reneé strives to provide garments that exudes the women are on the inside and introduce her to the World!

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.
Favorite spots in the City

Monday: Shopping, Tanger Outlet/Northwoods Mall/The Glam Corner Boutique/ Thrift stores (I love thrifting)/Thee Shoe Shop/Fully Stylish Boutique and everywhere in between.

Tuesday: Relaxing Day, Pedicures and Facials.
Movies at Cinnabar that evening, with all the shopping we’ll probably be tired.

Wednesday: Road trip. We’ll travel to Myrtle Beach to Calabash for all the food we can eat. Later than night we’ll have a Girl’s Night and play games.

Thursday: Brunch with the Ladies
Berry Patch for Brunch, well take this day to explore any events that’s going on in the city that day.

Friday: Charleston Harbor Day Cruise
Fleet Landing Restaurant & Bar
Party Bus to Republic Garden and Lounge

Saturday:
Le Cremé Restaurant and Lounge
Stars and Strikes Family Entertainment we might get matching tatts at Blue Gorilla

Sunday:
Church of course, lol
Soulful Sunday at Blue Note Bistro

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
I would like to shoutout my Beautiful daughter’s Kaniya Zuri and Dainasia Zené. I love you both so much! I want to give a HUGE shoutout to GOD for all of my gifts and talents! And everyone who has been apart of this beautiful journey from the beginning. I appreciate you all!

Website: www.zurirenee.com

Instagram: @zurireneellc

Facebook: Zuri Reneé LLC

Image Credits
Photographers: Phantom Flame Productions, Jeremiah Drummond and others I honestly don’t remember. I apologize.

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.