Today we’d like to introduce you to Alex Raye.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
The Curve closet was born when two ambitious women with a vision came together and combined their passion for fashion. Both of us being curvaceous women found that there weren’t many cute options out there for the plus-size community.
We then became dedicated to providing quality apparel while following the 3C rule that’s keeping it Cute, classy, and cost-effective. Here at the Curve closet, we provide dope styles and the latest fashion trends for women of all shapes and sizes. Our goal is to leave you feeling beautiful and confident ready to conquer the world.
We believe beauty doesn’t start with just the clothes you wear but within and through the confidence you display, which is what we hope to provide when you’re rocking your curve wear. Today, we are a successful black-owned Miami-based boutique still facing challenges but continuing to persevere and learn from each hiccup so that we can continue to build and evolve.
We are simply nothing without God and our beautiful Curve queens. Thank you so much for your support. We cannot wait to see how beautiful you look in our new upcoming Collections and Expansions.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Being an entrepreneur is far from easy if it were, everyone would be doing it. It takes a special individual and an enormous amount of tenacity and perseverance. When starting a business venture make sure you know this is something that you truly want.
Make your mind up and understand that success will not come without risk and sacrifice. Do not do it just to make a quick buck or think that money will roll in overnight because, in reality, it will not. You will put in a lot of money, time, and energy and it could take some time for you to see any of that back.
You will be faced with many challenges and tribulations along the way just as we have. Some of the things that we have faced are making sure that we have quality apparel, consistent and creative marketing strategies, and last but not least making sure that you stay ready as opposed to having to get ready.
Nonetheless, all of these challenges that we have faced have only been learning experiences for us. It has taught us to stay on our toes keep up with trends continue to be innovative, and fresh, and never give up no matter how hard it may seem when this is truly your passion you will always fight for what you believe in and want.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I wear many hats I have a creative side that enjoys writing pouring my creativity into projects such as my podcast my online clothing store, music, and many other business ventures All while also working a 9-to-5 in the medical and administration field.
I specialize in building platforms like my podcasts creating a space where people feel free to discuss topics such as love, life, hardships, and simply the things that we all speak about in private amongst ourselves but just doing it for others to see. I have a passion for all things business-like and entrepreneurship. I enjoy the marketing side of business graphic designing, photography, and just creating content.
What separates me is my ability to never conform to what society says or what the latest trend may be but always remain my most authentic self and pour my heart into my work so that you guys could get a little glimpse of who I am I truly have a passion for helping others to share my testimonies so that they may be helpful to someone else’s journey.
I am most proud of my business my weight loss journey and my ability to simply keep going despite the things that I have faced in life and to not only keep going but to be able to continue to pour into others and be light for them.
Raye’s Response: I simply love business itself. It helps on become more structured, be more disciplined, and find motivation even when I don’t feel inspired. I love having a helping hand in building people’s confidence and building their beauty with our brand. Helping women of all shapes and sizes feel beautiful is my passion and drive.
That’s the exact reason why I wanted to start “ The Curve Closet”. Feeling confident and secure is the most important way to become your best self. I truly believe in the oldie but Goldie quote” if you look good, you feel good”. I am currently working on another business venture that’s in the esthetician field.
I can not absolutely wait to launch and continue to help women. For all-around feel confident and secure within themselves. What sets me apart is my ability to stay true to myself all while elevating in life. No matter how far I go, I will always be authentically me.
Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
Growing up, I was a very sensitive child, I felt everything even the feelings that were not of my own. I was bossy headstrong and never afraid to speak my mind. If you speak to my five or six-year-old self I tell you I wanted to be a doctor and to deliver babies I just knew I was gonna be in the medical field no matter what.
But as we know life happens you grow up and things change, and plans changed. I would follow my dad around and shadow him as he worked and just soaked up knowledge. I was goofy funny and eccentric. I was into sports and dance I mostly enjoyed singing.
At an early age, my parents placed me in too many extracurricular activities such as soccer, tennis dance, and being in the choir. They stress the importance of excellence and being well-rounded especially being a woman of color my parents prepared me and made me understand that I was going to have to work that much harder to be the best in the world that we live in.
Raye’s Response: I was more of a reserved shy kid that kept to myself. I’ve always participated in extracurricular activities like dance, step, or band. I always made sure to participate in extracurricular activities so I can become more active and never stagnant. My parents always instilled that excellence and perseverance is the key to the success.
My inspiration to become an entrepreneur came from my parents. It’s all I knew and saw. I learned the marketing side through my mom and the social side through my dad. It was only the inevitable that I eventually pick up on entrepreneurship. My parents always made sure that I never gave up on anything in life whether it was homework or learning a new music sheet.
My dad always pushed for me to be out of the norm and stay true to myself. “Never be a follower, always a leader”, he would say. What sets me apart from others is my ability to stand firm and combat any hurdles that I face. Being an entrepreneur is knowing how to get through and face the hurdle of whether to give up or run away.
That’s what set most people from others that are entrepreneurs.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.shopcurvecloset.com
- Instagram: thecurvecloset_
- Facebook: The Curve Closet LLC
- Twitter: Curve_Closet
Image Credits
Alex B @itsalexbee_
