Connect
To Top

Meet Vee of Pretty Dope Prints in South Atlanta

Avatar photo

Today we’d like to introduce you to Vee.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Vee. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I have always been an innovator, self thinker, motivator and go-getter. So, it was only right that I proceeded along the entrepreneurial route for my career path. Although it took me a while to identify my purpose, my journey in between was nothing short of amazing. I started out in broadcast (Radio/Television) in my college years at Florida A&M University. I transition that career back to my hometown, Atlanta, Ga after enrolling into Georgia State University in 2012. While everyone thought I was making the biggest mistake of my life, I began to excel in the radio and production industry with flying colors. I had my fair share of personal struggles but through it all, I managed to end up on top. Every time I fell short of anything or became discouraged, I always thought bigger and better for my goals and every time I achieved them without hesitation.

Over the course of five years, I began to open a variety of businesses. My first big success came in 2013 with my online shoe boutique, Lust.Love.Shoe Boutique. My reputation of an entrepreneur began to grow rapidly among my friends, family and fellow boutique owners. After two years, I experienced operational issues and decided to dissolve the business. I followed up with one business after another, from home organization (Room By Room) to a family trucking business with my husband (Duke’s Trucking, LLC.) Each opportunity had its highs and lows but I continued to move forward. I eventually found my way back to fashion with an online women’s boutique, Reine in 2017.

During the two year run, I learned even more about business, fashion and myself. While I didn’t grow my bank account very much during this time I definitely grew my confidence when I become the face and brand ambassador for not only my company but other big brands such as Express and Steve Madden. That is when I truly learned success is not always measured by money and materials. Due to inventory and high overhead expenses, I was forced to turned to the store into a blog offering some of the same services I offered before just without the products. Instead, we showed customers where to get the products from and how to style each and every piece. Make sure you check us out at: www.WatchMeReine.com. My latest venture caught me by surprise. I bought a t-shirt press machine to create our custom line of Tees with Reine and it evolved into a business of its own. After printing up shirts and garments for friends and family members and actually seeing financial results I decided to open an Etsy store (The Instagram for crafters) for Pretty Dope Prints. That pushed me even further into my creative wave. I was seeing strangers (something I was begging for with my boutique) purchase from me without hesitating. I was in craft heaven!!!

For the last six months, I have been focusing solely on my store and enhancing my products. I have truly come into the successful entrepreneur I have always desired to be and now I am here reaping the rewards while expressing myself in the most creative way.

Be sure to check out my store on Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/shop/PrettyDopePrints

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
No, the road was never smooth and if it was it didn’t last very long. Every time you think you had it figured out, the universe found a way to make you think again or learn something new in your journey. I spent many hours and more than enough money to make my businesses work and yet pushing the product/service was always harder than ever. Especially in a time where status is the sole foundation for most businesses. However, I always pushed through even if I had to take a step back for a second to regroup I also came back bigger and better. Which is why I think I have so many peers that truly appreciate, admire and respect me for being an entrepreneur.

Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Pretty Dope Prints – what should we know?
For Pretty Dope Prints, I am most proud of how well I went with the flow. I am usually one to try to plan and get it just right but with this company, I was able to be myself and create (which is something I have always love to do). We specialize in creating dope content for any occasions. Form digital to physical products, we can do it. I started with vinyl printing for t-shirts, but since then, I have created scratch-offs, sashes, greeting cards, cups, nail art and so much more.

I think in any venture, what sets me apart is that I am never afraid to try, give up and try again. That takes a certain strength and vulnerability that is required to be a successful entrepreneur in any field.

Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
There are very many that deserves credit. My husband has and will always be my #1 supporter. He pushes me when I feel like I can’t go and he encourages me at any turning point. Sometimes, I like to think of him as the battery that keeps me going. He has allotted me a lifestyle to truly focus on my entrepreneurial goals and whenever I lack, he is my voice of reasoning to go even harder. Thank you so much, Duke, I appreciate you and all the late-night talks off the ledge!!

My mom has always supported anything I have ever done. Even if she didn’t understand. She was there posting and promoting. My sisters and I often get embarrassed that she tells everything we do to everyone but if you look at it on the bright side, she is like a walking, too much-talking billboard (LOL). Thanks, Lisa.

My sisters are my creative sources. Anytime I have an idea or something, I want to try they are always there to make me feel like I can do it and offer me a hand in getting it done. So thank you, Asia and Marian. You guys are literally the best!!

Whew, this list could go all day so I will try to keep it short…

My business partner Jenee has been there in many ways, I did not expect to be, we have NEVER seen eye-to-eye on anything but yet we managed to build great things together so thanks for being on this journey with me and helping me flourish as a teammate and businesswoman.

Erica, you have made me see that regardless of what a friend has going on, the support should always be there. You are not afraid to tell me that you’re proud of me and that I inspire you to follow your entrepreneurial goals. You are a friend and support system that you can’t buy, so for that, I thank you for your support and encouragement, it goes further than you know.

For everyone else, because there are many of you, thank you for your support, sales, likes, shares, and love. While I tend to focus on those that don’t support sometimes, I lack in applauding you for supporting me in the ways you do and I promise moving forward, I will shed more light on you.

Contact Info:

Image Credit:
Sean Woods, Jenee Williams, J. Evelyn, Asia Wallace

Suggest a story: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.

Related Items

1 Comment

  1. Shay

    September 7, 2019 at 3:14 am

    So Bomb!

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

More in