151: How RUE 107 Founder Marie Jean-Baptiste Designed A Clothing Line That Celebrates Women of All Sizes

01/30/17 • 64 min

Growing up in Haiti and later as a teenager in the US, Marie Jean-Baptise always knew she wanted to create something different, although she didn't know what that something was. There was a part of her that dreamt of be a fashion designer -- or an Alvin Ailey dancer. After designing her first collection at age 18 and landing an internship with one of her fashion idols, Lemington Ridley, she decided fashion was her true love.

Today, as an e-commerce fashion entrepreneur, Marie has a gorgeous fashion line, Rue 107, that she has been building since 2011, and is beloved by fashionistas of all sizes. Marie speaks candidly on the Support is Sexy podcast about bootstrapping out of necessity, how to connect with your customer, her vision for developing Rue 107 into a truly size-inclusive brand and how to move beyond the loneliness of entrepreneurship.

On this episode, you'll learn:

The importance of testing.Why you have to develop a service mindset.How not having access to capital can benefit you.The challenge of having a straight and plus-size line.The reality of being one of few Black women designers in fashion.The lesson she learned about "black" and "urban" brands.The fashion business is not designed for WOC to win.What she learned about hiring and firing people.Why you shouldn't put people on a pedestal in business.Greatest misconception people have about fashion design.Why social media does not equate to sales.Don't get too attached to your product.Why you can not operate from a space of fear and should always leave room for growth.Subscribe to Support is Sexy podcast on iTunes or on Stitcher Radio!

Thank you for listening! And hey, if you love it, please click here to leave us a Rating & Review on iTunes!

Show notes, links, contacts and resources for this episode may be found at supportissexypodcast.com.

[Music: “Easy” by SPCZ]

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On this episode, you'll learn:

Thank you for listening! And hey, if you love it, please click here to leave us a Rating & Review on iTunes!

Show notes, links, contacts and resources for this episode may be found at supportissexypodcast.com.

[Music: “Easy” by SPCZ]

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Previous Episode

150: Do the Work Even When No One is Watching

Nowadays it's easy for us to get caught up in who's watching, right? We put our work out there, share it, post it, tweet it, and wait for the likes, loves, reposts and retweets to pour in. Hopefully some money, too!

What we have to remember, though, is there will be days -- plenty of days -- when there won't be any "celebrations" of the work we're doing. No one will know what you're going through to make that thing happen, to get it out there in the world. In those moments, you know what you have to do? Do the work when no one is watching.

It's easy to shine when you're standing in the light. On this episode I offer some advice on how to stay motivated, even in the dark!

Subscribe to Support is Sexy podcast on iTunes or on Stitcher Radio!

Thank you for listening! And hey, if you love it, please click here to leave us a Rating & Review on iTunes!

Show notes, links, contacts and resources for this episode may be found at supportissexypodcast.com.

[Music: "Easy" by SPCZ]

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Next Episode

152: Actress Reagan Gomez on Hollywood, Politics, Feminism, 'Surviving' and Self-Care

The seeds for entrepreneurship were planted in Detroit native Reagan Gomez when she was just 14 years old. It was on the set of the 1990 TV show The Parenthood, as the young actress observed her co-star, Robert Townsend, not only work in front of the camera, but take on roles behind the camera as a writer, director and producer. Reagan was already in love with acting -- having began performing in local theater in Philly before the family moved to LA in support of her career -- but at that point she knew that being the creator of her own projects were going to be a part of her journey.

That was in 1994. Today, Reagan has more then 20 years in the business not only as a working actress (one of her latest roles was on OWN's Queen Sugar) but also as a writer, director, producer and creator of her own work -- including the web series Almost Home and Surviving (which was nominated for a Gotham Award), and her own podcast, Reaganomics. On this episode of the Support is Sexy podcast, Reagan gets real about what it takes to survive in Hollywood without anyone else's permission, how politics have affected our nation and her own world, what her evolution has taught her about herself as a woman and what she chooses to teach her daughter about feminism and the power of resistance, standing up for yourself and using your voice -- and your platform -- to change the world.

On this episode you'll learn:

The importance of teaching our girls to be confident and vocal.How to give our girls space to express themselves.Her advice to her younger self as an actress.How to survive the Hollywood machine.Why creating your own content is important.Why she feels it's so important for Black and marginalized women to create content.How to utilize social media to support your content and connect.How to build your tribe.How to trust your gut.And the importance of discovering how self-care works for you.

Subscribe to Support is Sexy podcast on iTunes or on Stitcher Radio!

Thank you for listening! And hey, if you love it, please click here to leave us a Rating & Review on iTunes!

Show notes, links, contacts and resources for this episode may be found at supportissexypodcast.com.

[Music: "Easy" by SPCZ]

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