Meet Imani Evora | Founder & CEO of We Are Made Studios

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

Hi Imani, maybe we can start at the very start – the idea – how did you come up with the idea for your business?
We Are Made Studios was created out of a craving for a space that reflected all parts of who we are and who we were becoming. The creative, business forward, community driven individuals who wanted to connect to like-minded people. But we wanted to take it a step further, we wanted the space to feel safe, be reflective and rooted in culture. A community that only together can make a difference along side people that understand what it’s like to be you.

I understood the need for meaningful connections and a space that offered opportunity for us to meet without the complexity of knowing someone to get into the room. I wanted to establish a single-space that people of color could be seen and have access to resources and recognition they otherwise wouldn’t receive without a space created with them in mind.

Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
We Are Studios is a human-centered gathering space where creatives of color can be seen and meaningful connections can be made. We host meet-ups and workshops for creatives and young professionals of all kind and are currently raising VC funds to create our first physical location. We also have a show called, “We Are Made Podcast”, it’s our black creative series that gives insights into the life and experience of the people underneath the work.

We are most proud of the opportunities and connections we have created through our workshops, we like to expand the way people of color see the world and each other. Our workshops create space for people to witness the similarities within each other, allowing everyone to see that we aren’t so different. We are doing our best and all trying to leave our mark on the world during our time, its not perfect but it’s a shared experience we can relate too.

I got here by not only staying consistent and dedicated to the journey but staying open-minded about the possibilities. Too often we place limitations on what can be, when your in business and your working for yourself, you don’t have the luxury of giving up because you have people depending on what your creating. Which is a lot of pressure at times, but it shows you just how meaningful your presence is and for me I sincerely wouldn’t have it any other way. Has it been easy? Of course not, I’m currently learning the true challenges within our community as we are raising capital to open our first location. Many people don’t understand your vision and when your vision isn’t created for them, they don’t wish to be apart of it or even offer support it, unless it benefits them directly.

The most important thing I’ve learned is to stay obedient to the vision, it’s not our job to question why ideas were given to us, it’s our job to bring them into fruition. We are wayyyyy more capable then we allow ourselves to see and acknowledge, the only reason why I’m here today still building this company, is because I’m not thinking about my own insecurities, I’m thinking about the people who need what I’m creating, we are made for more and I plan on using my voice to make room for people of color to be seen.

What I want the world to know about me and my brand is that we move only with purpose and intention, every detail, every post, every outreach, every part of what we have created and continue to create, was cultivated with people who look like us in mind. We understand that life sometimes is difficult and the journey is lonely and hard and no matter how much you try no one sees you or your efforts. We too understand what it’s like to be overlooked and its one of the major reasons why were here today. To create a space where you matter, where you don’t have to conform to fit in and you too can explore your interest as you figure it out. No one deserves to be doing this journey alone and we hope to change that.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
I love Ponce City Market, the synergy of the people, the cute shops and variety of food options make it so much fun to just spend time in. Whether your working or eating or just taking a walk through the space, some part of me comes alive each time I visit and it would definitely be the place I take friends when they come into town!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
My mother from an early age and to this day has always created space for me to explore my interest and figure things out. When I wanted to switch majors in college or even when I wanted to go to cosmetology school, the time I wanted to work for MAC or lets not forget the time I moved back to my hometown on a whim. No matter what I decided, she supported. Of course it doesn’t mean she didn’t have hesitations watching me make a way for myself, but she never gave me any reason to not go for it. Her continuous support has allowed me to turn We Are Made Studios from a vision into a reality.

Website: https://wearemadestudios.com/

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