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Meet Shalcy Robins of LA Fashion Source

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Today we’d like to introduce you to Shalcy Robins.

Shalcy, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
It was a long road to get to where I am today. It took many years of struggle and trying many different things. At times I felt hopeless as I pursued my passion, but I knew in my heart I had a greater purpose. My search started when I enrolled at FIDM to study visual communications. An advisor at the school convinced me this would be the best option for me to become a fashion stylist or fashion merchandiser. I completed my education at FIDM with an associate of arts degree in visual communications.

After graduation, it was difficult to find a decent paying job as I discovered most companies required a bachelor’s degree. I decided to further my education and study fashion merchandising at Cal State Northridge. I graduated in 2008 and was ready to take on the world; however, at that time, the country was entering into a recession, and I had difficulty finding gainful employment. Faced with a student loan and other obligations, I took a job at a flower shop. A few months later, I accepted a position as Production Manager for a women’s plus-size dress company.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
No. I have worked a number of jobs over the last ten years. My work experience is quite varied (sales associate, trade show model, visual merchandiser, operations manager, prep cook, assistant production manager, production manager, media consultant, and florist), which is a testament to my flexibility and willingness to try new things.

However, every time I worked at a different job I always felt like something was missing. I would sit at my desk/cubicle and think to myself, “Is this it? I come to work from 9-6, do the same thing every day, and drive in two hours of traffic and get the same paycheck every week and maybe, at best, next year I’ll get a promotion with a 3% raise. This is what I went to school for? This is not a life! I want to live and not have to drive in traffic.

I want to make more money and have fun doing it. What am I doing!!!!?” But then I would think, do I really want to be an entrepreneur? Have no job or security? Are you crazy?” I have always been very financially responsible and was nervous to take the risk, but I knew I was ready. I now had the education, knowledge, and work experience it was time.

My dad, grandma, and two of my brothers are entrepreneurs. I think if having a business runs in your blood, then you’ll never be able to work for anyone and if you try, you’ll internally struggle with it every day you go to work. My entrepreneurial passion was slowly developing, and I started several small businesses such as… a scarf line, Etsy jewelry store, fashion accessory wholesale, catering business, women’s dress line, and holistic health coach.

Finally, one stuck and it was something I had already been doing for years without even knowing it. In this case, it is true that your passion is something that you would do without getting paid for it. In holding many positions over the years, I had learned how to set up and organize a company and produce clothing lines from A to Z. My friends would always ask for advice, and I would always help them because it was fun sharing my knowledge and I love to teach.

I started teaching my friends the ins and outs of the fashion industry, coaching them through their fears, and showing them some simple business skills such as garment costing, margins, marketing, and sales. Within a short time, I started to see my advice and knowledge pay off. It was very exciting to see my friends selling their items at clothing boutiques and large retail chain outlets and, best of all, making profits!!

This is when I realized how valuable my knowledge is and why I shouldn’t take it for granted; most importantly, I discovered that my passion lies in helping other entrepreneurs achieve their goals in the fashion industry. One Sunday afternoon in a coffee shop, I was with my best friend, and we both were in a similar phase of our lives and needed a change. We encouraged one another to create websites and to start our own companies.

I was committed to building a company on the culture of helping fashion entrepreneurs, aka “fashionpreneurs,” fulfill their dreams. That’s where LA Fashion Source was born. A few weeks later, after creating my website, I began getting phone calls for services and taking on clients. Since then, I have never looked back, and it’s been an exciting ride to see my company grow and develop into a wonderful vessel of resources for other entrepreneurs in the fashion industry.

Please tell us about LA Fashion Source LLC.
LA Fashion Source is a company that offers full package services in the fashion industry. What that means is that we handle the whole process from A to Z. Our services include sketching, fabric sourcing, pattern & sample making, marking & grading, and manufacturing.

I think what sets us apart from other companies is that our in-house team of experts is always ready to help and our strong vendor relationships globally allow us to source great material and produce high-quality products.

Our value is our commitment to empowering and educating our clients on the process. Therefore, when signing up at LA Fashion Source, it’s like getting a crash course in fashion by learning from the actual business.

Our culture is built on the belief that communication and great customer service are the foundation for long-term business. Our goal is to be the go-to fashion source for all our clients’ needs as they build their brands and fashion lines.

What I’m most proud of as a company is that we get to help so many people who didn’t think it was possible to start a fashion line. We enjoy seeing people’s dreams come true.

If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
I would have started doing social media for the business a lot sooner. I like being able to share our story and give people insight into the processes, and what the fashion industry is like. It is very powerful and has been good for our business.

As the brilliant Steve Jobs once said, “You can’t connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future. You have to trust in something – your gut, destiny, life, karma.”

I definitely feel I can see my dots starting to connect and I’m here to make an impact in the fashion industry and can’t wait to work with the next generation of fashionpreneurs.

Pricing:

  • Fabric Sourcing $50/hour
  • Fashion Line Development Consultation $250 (2) – 45 Minute Consultations/fittings
  • Marking and Grading Services $150

Contact Info:

Getting in touch: VoyageLA is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.

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