Today we’d like to introduce you to Amber Mendoza.
Hi Amber, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
Hello! My name is Amber Mendoza and I am a Faith Based Business Coach. I have been in the Fashion Industry for over 17 years and have held titles such as Director of Product Development and Technical Design for companies such as Guess and Hudson Jeans. After the pandemic, I took on a role as the Director of Product Development and Production for a company in DTLA that helped start up brands launch their collection but failed to provide proper education, mentorship and support in areas such as Product Development, Production and Quality Control. Some of these brands were spending their hard earned money, savings and even their 401k. My passion has always been to help others and when I saw what these entrepreneurs were going through, I knew that it was a sign for me to start my consulting agency. In 2022, I started LAVA DESIGNS and my former clients followed me. I walked them through the entire design process and helped them bring their collection to the finish line. There has been no greater joy that to be able to educate and mentor the next wave of fashion business owners and provide them with the tools they need to run, manage and scale their business.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The road has most definitely not easy. There have been a lot challenges and obstacles in starting my own agency. The 1st biggest challenge was deciding to leave a career that I knew so well and that awarded me a six figure income. In a corporate setting as a Director, you have your own team built up of supervisors, associates and assistants. My first year of business was a struggle because I did not have a team. I was doing everything myself and had to wear multiple hats. There was a lot of learning and unlearning I had to do when it came to starting a businesses. Some of the things I learned in fashion corporate didn’t always align so I had to remain open, flexible and susceptible to change.
2nd challenge: I started my agency with no formal education on how to even start a business. I made a lot of costly mistakes. I had to “pay to play” when it came to learning the business side of starting a consulting agency. I knew that I had a lot of knowledge and experience from my career in fashion but had to learn the ‘masculine’ parts of running a business such as financials, profit and loss, customer service and risk control. In my second year of business I had to implement systems and processes that kept my team and clients organized. It was a huge learning curve but grateful for the experience.
3rd Impact on Mental Health and Energy – As an entrepreneur my mental health and overall well being was compromised by ‘doing too much’ or being a ‘yes person’ in the first years of my business. In the beginning you may not have the team, start up capital or connections to help you scale. I relied heavily on my faith to get me through the hard times, limiting beliefs and moments of fear. There was a lot of rejection, NOs, deals falling through ,and sometimes months of no income. In my 3rd year of business I still struggle with anxiety, stress and fear based thoughts but when people ask me how I manage or cope, my answer is always GOD, FAITH and PRAYER. I just always know that what is meant for me will be for me and what is not is not. Rejection is protection and Loss and not really a loss, Its a lesson to be learned. Mindset is everything and you just have to get up everyday and want it. I prioritize my mental health over anything so that I can show up as my best self to my family and my clients.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about LAVA DESIGN AGENCY ?
I founded Lava Design Agency in 2022 with the Serial Entrepreneur in Mind. Many of our clients are faith based entrepreneurs and brands who like myself have dealt with life’s challenges, cultural expectations, traumas and grief. Our clients are go getters, self starters and eager to learn. They are willing to do the work and rely on our coaching, mentoring and educational programs to grow their business.
We specialize in Personal Branding and Fashion Product Development. We run a lean team in DTLA for those looking to launch their collection. Our programs and packages are designed to build brands that are long lasting and will continue to grow over time. We believe in SLOW FASHION. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics in 2023, about 30% of apparel businesses fail in their 1st year and 50-60% fail in their 1st five years of business. Our coaches, mentors and consultants focus on teaching clients how to stay in businesses by staying up to date with business trends, technology and risk control. We focus on effective marketing and branding the first few months and then the product. Like many brands i’ve dealt with at my prior company, all of them were consistent with siting on product they had spent thousands of dollars developing and producing and unable to sell.
I am most proud of the community that we have created within the fashion creative space. My business provides an experience that no other fashion agency will provide, and that is Transparency. The name of my business is called LAVA because it stands for L-ove A-ccountabliity V-alue and A-uthenticity which we believe are the grounding pillars to running and scaling a sustainable brand. We provide a space for our clients that is safe and honest. Our clients needs and goals are top priority and why we only work with a few clients at a time. Majority of our clients are by referral and word of mouth ONLY. We understand that no client is “one size fits all” and custom curate experiences that is Powered by purpose and fueled by Faith.
Alright, so to wrap up, is there anything else you’d like to share with us?
I would like to include that I am a First Generation Filipina Entrepreneur and Business Owner.
I will be launching a Podcast Pilot Series in Q3 that will further support entrepreneurs and their journey by sharing industry insights, guest speakers and so much more! I am also a Wife, mother of 2 and dog mom. I am a fitness enthusiast and in the gym 6-7 days a week. Fitness, Faith and Fashion is a big part of my personal journey and hope to inspire those around me.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.lavadesignagency.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lavadesignagency/ -business https://www.instagram.com/ashley_ambers/-personal
- Other: https://www.google.com/search?q=lava+designs&sca_esv=edec2e4b4572a4c0&sxsrf=AHTn8zoHbAtksPu4RMixfHhr78pfgcI5zw%3A1744150691049&ei=o6D1Z8vZAtCKptQP2KLDmQU&ved=0ahUKEwiLt__Su8mMAxVQhYkEHVjRMFMQ4dUDCBA&uact=5&oq=lava+designs&gs_lp=Egxnd3Mtd2l6LXNlcnAiDGxhdmEgZGVzaWduczIKEAAYsAMY1gQYRzIKEAAYsAMY1gQYRzIKEAAYsAMY1gQYRzIKEAAYsAMY1gQYRzIKEAAYsAMY1gQYRzIKEAAYsAMY1gQYRzIKEAAYsAMY1gQYRzIKEAAYsAMY1gQYR0j9AVAAWABwAXgBkAEAmAEAoAEAqgEAuAEDyAEAmAIBoAIDmAMAiAYBkAYIkgcBMaAHALIHALgHAA&sclient=gws-wiz-serp
Image Credits
Mikey Anthony Photo
John Herrera of 7th Studios
