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

Hi Iyana, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
Before I started The Only Fashionistas LLC, I made jewelry for myself as a hobby. After a while, I began getting compliments and questions about where I bought my jewelry and accessories from. That’s when I knew I had a business on my hands. I decided to start my company and in the beginning we only sold handmade bracelets. I figured that making jewelry would be a good source of income, especially during COVID.

What should our readers know about your business?
What sets The Only Fashionistas LLC apart from others is that we handmake our jewelry, the products that we sell are in high demand, and we don’t just sell what we like, we sell what the consumers want. The fact that my business is only 6 months old and has had the exposure that it has had thus far is something that I’m extremely proud of. But it was not easy. I had to promote and market my business so that people would know that it was a trustworthy company that they could buy quality products and receive them in a timely fashion. I’ve learned that running a business takes patience, time, and dedication. It doesn’t happen overnight. I want the world to know that The Only Fashionistas LLC is here to stay and we will continue to grow our brand by adding and providing quality, handmade jewelry and accessories for the entire family.

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.
If I were to take my best friend out to see the Atlanta area, one of the places I would take her to is the Suite Lounge. Suite Lounge is always a vibe, nice music, hookah, and drinks. We would also go to Copelands to eat, they have the best authentic New Orleans cuisine. She’s into history, so we would also go to Centennial Park and the Sweet Auburn District of Atlanta to visit MLK’s National Historical Park.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
A lot of my success comes from my immediate family. My husband and our two children help to run the business and also help make products. Without them I would not be where I am today business-wise. When we do events, they’re always there for support to help setup our booth. They also help with selling products, promoting and advertising my business. They are my biggest supporters.

Website: theonlyfashionistas.com

Instagram: @theonlyfashionistasllc

Facebook: TheOnlyFashionistasLLC

Other: Email: theonlyfashionistas@gmail.com

Image Credits
Asha Palmer

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