Today we’d like to introduce you to Kinyatta E. Gray.
Hi Kinyatta E., thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I launched my business called FlightsInStilettos, LLC, in 2018. FlightsInStilettos is a brand, business, and travel blog. My business’s premise is to empower and inspire women to put their best selves forward when traveling. Through my website, I sell travel-inspired accessories with a touch of glam, most notably are my FlightsInStilettos Glam Girl Beach Towels. I launched a beach towel line because I was dissatisfied with the beach towel selections on the market. This sparked the idea to design and sell beach towels with artwork depicting stylish women of color at the beach. On my website, I blog about travel experiences and travel style, and visitors can also book their travel on my website via FlightsInStilettos Travel. I’m also published author of three books and the host of an Instagram Live series called Girls Love Flights, Feelings and Fashion. Last, I’m also the Editor-In-Chief and Publisher of a new travel magazine also called FlightsInStilettos Magazine that launched in January 2021.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It hasn’t been incredibly hard, but not necessarily the most uncomplicated endeavor either. Most of the complications I experienced revolved around marketing and promotion. It isn’t easy to establish a new brand and sell products. Consumers are very savvy and particular, so I had to work very hard to launch my business and position it so that my products would be desired, purchased, and recommended by my targeted consumers. I achieved this by professionalizing my marketing materials, leveraging all social media platforms, delivering exceptional customer service, paying attention to detail (such as ensuring careful and attractive packaging), and supplying a quality product (the beach towels). Millions of people visit the beach every year — and every one of them uses a beach towel!
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’m known for being the visionary behind the FlightsInStilettos Glam Girl Beach Towels. I envision the concept and the story behind each beach towel. I then work closely with a professional illustrator who materializes my vision into artwork on the beach towels. I’ve also leaned into the “content creator” world and launched FlightsInStilettos Magazine. As the Editor-In-Chief and Publisher, I’m responsible for curating all elements of the magazine’s content and publication dates. I’m proud of both of these products because they enable me to exercise a high degree of creativity and imagination and ultimately deliver products that are useful and desired by the targeted consumers. FlightsInStilettos occupies an interesting niche. Most travel platforms cover travel destinations. Very few focus on travel style, and I have not come across anyone else that designs beach towels. I have designated myself as the new “CBD” Chief Beach Towel Designer.
Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
Yes, I’m the author of three books, the one I wish to spotlight in this article is my novel called “From Section 8 to CEO” which is loosely based on my life and is the book behind the brand FlightsInStilettos.
Contact Info:
- Email: [email protected]
- Website: https://www.flightsinstilettos.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flightsinstilettos/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FlightsInStilettos
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7VeegTGMQdwkzPvUuQA19Q
Image Credits:
Ksenia Pro Photography
