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

Hi Jawana, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I started The Irby after having a conversation with my husband about graveyards and dreams. He told me that there were a lot of brilliant ideas buried in graveyards because people never realized their dreams. He encouraged me not to be one of those people. A few weeks later, I started The Irby.

Alright, so for those in our community who might not be familiar with your business, can you tell us more?
The Irby’s mission is to revolutionize the way our customers shop and stylize their wardrobes by providing au Courant custom-curated accessories for the fashion-forward individual; to build a consistent brand that promotes confidence and positively impacts the lives of our customers. What sets The Irby apart from its competitors is our curation process. I literally search all over the world for the very best, the trendiest, the most spectacular products to include in our collections. Whether it be for day to day work, a business or personal event, or some other type of function, our clients are able to fully accessorize when they shop with The Irby. We provide fashion for men, curated by a woman. That’s our competitive advantage.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
I’d start with a trip to the Atlanta Breakfast Club; that’s the location over by Edgewood and Auburn Ave. They have the absolute best chicken and waffles the city has to offer. A good breakfast makes the any day so much better. From there, I’d probably take them shopping. We’d stay away from the tourist-trap malls and visit some of the hidden shopping gems Atlanta has to offer instead. Then, I’d most likely take them to one of Atlanta’s tiger lounges for drinks and a good stick. Atlanta has a rich cigar culture that is quickly coming of age. Finally, I’d take them to my church. There’s nothing like good ole southern Sunday morning church to stir the soul.

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’d like to shoutout my supportive husband, M. E. Solomon, my mentor Miguel Wilson, and my team of Irby Ambassadors. These individuals have played a fundamental roll in my success.

Website: www.theirbyclothier.com

Instagram: The_Irby

Facebook: TheIrbyClothier

Image Credits
Photography by Bob Mackey

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