Exploring Life & Business with Sheree Swann of Wild Seed Butik

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sheree Swann.

Hi Sheree, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
Working for a company that really didn’t value what I had to offer made me put myself out there. I was with this company for six years and promoted three times. When the fourth opportunity came, surprisingly, it was only lateral. Knowing that I deserved more, I left. I left and never looked back. Considering what I had going for me: my freelance photography business and my newly handcrafted accessories line, ReeFresh By Ree, I decided to bet on myself. Not to mention, while working there, it became a rat race… You know, at that time, I kept thinking how I was a worker bee for someone else’s dream and I have these gifts that the Most High blessed me with, just ready to be actualized. Lateral promotion? Six years? Yes, I left. I had time to take on more photography clients and sew day in and day out, filling orders and prepping to vend at marketplace events. It was a beautiful struggle – It wasn’t easy by any means but I wouldn’t change it one bit. Business slowed down in 2020 when COVID hit, photography wise and handcrafting wise.

However, there was a demand for face masks. So, I followed suit and was able to sell them on a couple of sites and fill custom requests, as well. It was a good run but I didn’t just want to make face marks. I always found it rewarding to learn a new pattern to sew, tweaking some to make it my own. Seeing the outcome (of what was sometimes deemed challenging to my self-taught sewing self) was the best part. So, as COVID had most of us do, I was still and sat with the silence. I pondered on what to do next. How could I pivot? What came to mind was an idea I had written down some years ago in my brainstorming notebook: Wild Seed! The original idea has changed a bit, but it’s like the big sister of ReeFresh and they both are kissed with Africana! It was the perfect time to level up and launch. Towards the end of 2020, I formed Wild Seed Butik, LLC. At this point, instead of handcrafting accessories, my products are now manufactured. On top of that, I wholesale, too! The building blocks of this journey have been an amazing training ground. When I think about retail, consumer trends and digital currency, this sector of e-commerce is a great one to be in. I’m excited about where I am and what’s to come!

Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
While I have merchandise that does well in store at The Village Retail, located here in Atlanta, the challenge I’ve faced revolved around driving traffic to my e-commerce site, shopwildseed.com. It’s a lot to handle as a solopreneur. However, we work it out. I’m so used to doing things by myself and seldom will I ask anyone for anything. I had to get out of my own way and reach out. So, now I’m in the process of onboarding someone to manage social media. I also have a business coach that I can connect with and strategize. These two components are such a blessing.

Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I created Wild Seed Butik to be a source for creative threads that promote afro art and cultural confidence. I’ll never stray away from that. There are so many talented, dope artists out here! My tribe is filled with them. I want their work to bless as many people as possible. And, if I can celebrate and advocate for them via this vehicle, I’m more than happy to do it! We are dedicated to providing unique apparel and accessories to our customers so they can have wearable art that they relate to, as well as allow them to express themselves in an uninhibited way. Even if it’s just that accent piece spicing up your wardrobe with some Africana! I think it’s important for us to feel free to express ourselves outwardly and with a sense of pride… and, at first glance, that’s through fashion. For the love of our roots and culture, be free while doing it!

What sort of changes are you expecting over the next 5-10 years?
As far as the industry goes, the shift is already happening. COVID has made businesses rethink how they operate and reach the masses. It’s also inspired people to launch online, specifically. We’re more apt to make purchases from our cell phones, from the comfort of couch or wherever we happen to be at the time compared to physically going into stores these days. As we see the come up of digital assets and currency, shopping online will continue to boom and payment methods will continue to advance. It’s just a matter of keeping up.

Pricing:

• Sling Bag $45.00
• Face Mask $16 or $39.99 for 4-pack
• Swim/Body Suit $64.99
• Bomber Jacket $64.99
• Track Jacket $74.99

Contact Info:

• Email: [email protected]
• Website: www.shopwildseed.com
• Instagram: @wildseedbutik

Image Credits:
©Sheree R. Swann