Today we’d like to introduce you to Anjeil Shreve.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I first knew I had a love for clothing and fashion when I was eight years old and collecting magazines from my Nana’s house, cutting the photos out of them and making this book out of my favorite designs. Then I went as far as trying to imitate the sketches I seen. When one of my sketches (from what I thought at eight, haha) resembled the original, that’s when it hit me. I want to do this for a living! However, my metro Detroit upbringing was the polar opposite of my dreams. In a city where car manufacturing is the main industry, a career in fashion didn’t seem reachable to me, but it stayed in my heart. Eventually, I graduated high school and began my freshman year of college. After my first semester, I was failing five classes and had only passed one, This left me discouraged and distracted from my studies. In the midst of failing college and partying like there was no tomorrow, I had a heart to heart with my dad. He asked me what I wanted to do; what were my goals? I knew automatically what it was. I said immediately, “I want to start a clothing line. I already have a name too! I want to call it Boss Mentality.” It was a name that literally came to me one night I was just up laying in my bed in my college dorm. I have to credit nobody but God for that!
My dad was instantly excited for me and super supportive. He bought my first box of shirts for me. I got to work on those shirts! Cutting the sleeves off, changing the colors, tye dyeing them. I didn’t know what I was doing! All I knew was that I was expressing myself, and having so much fun doing so. Eventually my friends, family, community and even some celebs were wearing my clothes! The first celebrity to ever wear Boss Mentality was Keyshia Cole. She wore a custom painted denim jacket, I’ll never forget that moment. Shortly after that, I relocated to California to really pursue this fashion thing! I started interning at a Los Angeles brand called TLZ L’Femme. I saw so much of myself in the owner. She was young, black and sassy, like me! She taught me so much. From business, to how to drop a collection, to manufacturing my own clothing.
Shortly after that, I worked on American Idol as a wardrobe assistant in 2018. After American Idol, I decided it was time for me to get even more serious about my brand. So I got more mentors, took classes and just kept on pushing! Recently, I hired Boss Mentality’s first official employee, a seamstress. Also, we recently had reality star Dream Doll wearing some pieces from our latest summer collection! I am truly grateful and am willing to learn and grow more. I just want to be a walking testament of a young person with no fancy degree, I didn’t come from a super privileged background, I just had a dream and just went for it. And I’m still going at it each and every day!
Has it been a smooth road?
Whew! Definitely going viral the first time after Keyshia Cole wore our jacket. More orders came in than I expected and I was overwhelmed trying to duplicate a hand-painted jacket! I really had to face my lack of real knowledge of clothing production at that time because little did I know that jacket was a production no-no! But I took it as a lesson for me to be prepared moving forward.
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Boss Mentality Clothing – tell our readers more, for example what you’re most proud of and what sets you apart from others.
/Boss – Mentality/ – Adj. A way of thinking that embodies owning or dominating.
Boss Mentality is an urban casual brand for both men and women, that tells an authentic story of a person with a “Boss Mentality”. We’re working, we’re hustling, a lot of my customers are parents and just multi-tasking! We specialize in the clothes that you can do all the above in, it’s really the versatility.
I am most proud that we tell a story and hope to encourage our customers. In each order, it comes with a 3×5 card for you to write three short terms and three long term goals. That’s what makes us different. I am truly in this business because I care about people. I truly want to see people embody the Boss Mentality. We are a brand with purpose. Each of our collections have a meaning and the clothes are comfy and durable.
Let’s touch on your thoughts about our city – what do you like the most and least?
What I like the best about LA is that the opportunities are limitless! Anything you could possibly want or need is right there at your fingertips. The downside for me is the noisiness and the pace. But when I need a break, the beach is close by so it makes up for it!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.bossmentality.net
- Instagram: BossMentalityClothing
- Facebook: Boss Mentality Clothing
Image Credit:
@Shooter.jimmy, @drewjitsu___
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