Meet Marchel’le Hayes of TheCurvesSlayer’sCloset in Downtown

Today we’d like to introduce you to Marchel’le Hayes.

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Back in 2012, I developed an interest in plus size modeling and began researching how to jump start my modeling career. After taking a leap of faith and attending my first few casting calls, I grew tired of not ever receiving a fair chance for modeling gigs because of something as ridiculous as a height requirement. I refused to limit myself according to “traditional modeling standards”, so I took matters into my own hands and started modeling for a number of local plus size boutiques. My pictures were shared a lot over social media, which brought a great deal of traffic to my Instagram. After a few years, I had developed a solid social presence and even began my fashion blog TheCurveSlayer.com. I was enjoying my journey, but I wanted more for my life and career. I got to a point where I had to refocus my efforts and energy. I realized that I had spent years promoting other fashion businesses for little to no pay, so I made the decision to put all of that energy into myself. I created my own lane and worked hard at executing my own goals for success. Even after being advised not to from a number of people in my life who meant well, I started my own plus size clothing business and never looked back.

The process of getting to where I am today, includes numerous failures and attempts to completely give up. Even with all the struggles and successes that I’ve experienced up to this point in life, where I currently am is no where near where I desire to be. People may see me on social media and think I have it all figured out, but I don’t. I am still learning, growing, and pushing myself to reach the places where I know God has reserved a seat for me. I have chosen to be transparent with my journey because I want people to know that anything in life is possible. When you shift your attitude and believe wholeheartedly that you have something special to offer to the world, the magic starts to happen. Find out what that special something is, and pursue it with everything in you!

We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
As easy and glamorous as it may look to some, entrepreneurship is everything but a smooth road. Nothing in life worth having ever comes easy, and that includes building a brand and/or business.

I had a number of struggles, honestly enough to turn this article into a full blown autobiography! One of my biggest struggles was running a business outside of being a full-time college student. Not only a full-time student, but a full-time Music Education major at that! Some days, I don’t even know how I survived. When I say I’m a music major, people normally react by saying, “Wow that’s so cool! What instrument do you play?…What songs can you play?…” They automatically think that it’s the easiest and most fun major in the world! Don’t get me wrong, music is a huge part of my life and has played a pivotal role in my overall growth as a person. I would never downplay my love for music or my accomplishments as a flutist. People also need to understand that this type of lifestyle can be mentally and physically taxing if you aren’t mindful.

My first few semesters were great! I was learning a lot, making small strides, and surpassing milestones that I never thought were possible for me as a musician. My clothing business was still a goal I had yet to get started on, but I didn’t imagine that it would ever be “problematic” while I obtained my degree. As the semesters passed, things got increasingly more intense in my classes and the stress compelled me to contemplate dropping out. Between the endless hours of homework, studying, learning other instruments, performances, research papers, and lack of sleep, I was in tears nearly every day. On top of that, I was expected to practice my own instrument at least three hours per day! HOW?!!! I was in way over my head!

Just when I thought I was doing a decent job at juggling school and life, I finally launched my online business, TheCurveSlayer’sCloset. I was managing my business all by myself, and doing very well, until things took a turn for the worse in May 2018. My Alopecia Areata had resurfaced after about 13 years in the clear! This time, it went into overdrive, and I began losing all of my hair in huge patches. This eventually led to me rocking the bald head that I openly embrace today. Before I hit this point of embrace, I was deeply depressed and my confidence was completely shot. One of the key reasons why I started my business was to help women awaken their inner confidence and show it off to the world unapologetically. I had to be the pillar of confidence and strength for my brand, yet I lacked everything that my business stood for. That feeling cut me deep.

Because I am naturally a positive person and I can’t sulk in my own pity for too long, I prayed myself out of the dark hole I was in and kept marching forward. Instead of thinking about what my condition had taken away from me, I began thinking about what others could gain by learning from my experience. I have been very transparent with this part of my journey because it is yet another thing that has made me someone that people can relate to in the field of hardships. I learned to shift my pain into power, which helped other women to gain strength through their own personal experiences. I had finally regained my sense of purpose and confidence, and I got the ball back rolling again like it never stopped.

Overall, even with the greatest challenges and hardships that come with the territory of entrepreneurship, you just can’t give up if your heart is really in it. Working hard to build your own empire tends to develop an unexplainable hunger within you. A level of drive and determination that you just can not ignore, and that’s what keeps me going every single day.

So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the The CurvesSlayer’s Closet story. Tell us more about the business.
TheCurveSlayer’sCloset is an online retail store dedicated to providing trendy fashion choices for women with curves. Based in Los Angeles, CA, and officially open in 2017, TheCurveSlayer’sCloset initially began as an actual closet sale through Instagram, where I placed my own lightly worn clothing options up for auction for educational purposes. After this idea brought along much success, I decided to focus more diligently on pursuing my long time goal of opening an online store of my own.

I am proud of the fact that I have been blessed to witness my business goals birth to fruition right before my eyes. I wanted to do this for the women that look like me and have little to no options when it comes to fashion. I wanted us women to have affordable options, when the high end brands blatantly ignore that we exist. I wanted to help curvaceous women realize that there are trendy, beautiful, and figure satisfying fashion choices for us. I work hard to offer pieces that women will love and feel beautiful in, no matter what season it is. I wanted to create a body-positive environment for all women. I am so proud that my company affords women the opportunity to look and feel great without breaking the bank.

Most importantly, whether it be through fashion or my life experiences, my mission and purpose is to always, Inspire, Uplift, and Encourage. This is the very thing that I’ve been blessed to do with my brand, and also what sets TheCurveSlayer’sCloset apart from the rest. I couldn’t be any more proud of this achievement.

Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
As I’ve gotten older, I’ve realized that there really is no such thing as luck. I now understand that everything is based on your attitude and mindset. I’ve heard often that life is ten percent what happens to you, and ninety percent what you do about it. Everything that has happened to me in my life and business by far, both positive and negative, stemmed from my own mindset. I will say that maintaining a positive outlook has definitely brought about more success in my life and my business. As I’ve reflected on my past, I also realized that the stages of my life where I experienced the most turmoil, took place as I operated from a place of negative thoughts, resistance, fear, doubt, and stress. Many of us don’t realize how powerful we can be when we regain full control over our minds. Understanding this and recognizing my power, has brought me to a newfound place of peace as I continue my journey through life and entrepreneurship.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://thecurveslayerscloset.com/
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecurveslayerscloset/?hl=en
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thecurveslayerscloset/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/Marshhayes
• Other: Fashion Blog: https://thecurveslayer.com/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTPeXuMylHiHM0hydH3_jyQ

Image Credit:
Jeffrey Recinos

Kristie Hayes

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