Today we’d like to introduce you to Sheena Lynne.
Sheena, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
I think the best place to start in my story is when I originally moved to Atlanta in 2004. Imagine a 21 year old a one year old and a duffel bag of EVERYTHING I owned. I came to Atlanta with 7.32 in pocket. I had no idea what I was going to do or how I was going to do it, but I knew I needed to get it done. I actually had some modeling gigs lined up, so naturally, that’s where I started. I also locked down a job at the Barnacles Stone Crest and from there, it was a GO!! I saw the potential of the amount of money that could be made here and that is all I needed. I will always respect and love ZONE 6 because it taught me the hustle. I networked a lot with different companies I was employed in sales and built a team that would always be a huge influence in my future here. I think I always knew the 9-5 wasn’t for me. I’m just not built that way. I had a knack for marketing and a natural gift of the gab. So any sales position I took, I always became the top seller and the best it was always so easy for me. I used it to my advantage and elevated as high as possible within that company. The thing about people like me is we often tend to burn out after reaching the highest level and began looking for the next challenge. With the economy crashing and employment becoming scarce, I moved to NC. Jacksonville, NC is a very comfortable place to be and a wonderful place to start over. There I began working as a customer service rep for American Express and soon after gave birth to my second child. That story is one for another article but to have a near death experience. To know they told my mom, oldest daughter and ALL my family I wasn’t going to make it through the night changed my thought process literally overnight. Four months after that me and my now TWO kids hopped in a car and headed back up 20. I felt like I needed to go back to the place it all began and make my dreams come true. Came back to the city and went back to the modeling after a few videos magazines and shoots i needed more. I went back working as a customer service rep which is also currently my 9-5. I struggled to find my purpose. I could have easily started dancing or something of that sort. Now while I would never knock anyone that does, it just wasn’t for me. I refused to go back to being homeless, sleeping in my car and wondering how I would eat.
So I stayed at my job. Naturally I fell in the lane of doing makeup and hair because it was the lane every other girl in ATL did for money. It never felt like it was purpose it wasn’t meant for years. I always dreamed of having my own clothing line but I didn’t want to do the typical line. I wanted something that had a purpose. Something that would have a forever impact on the world and society. Something that was exclusive and made you feel proud to be who you were when you wore it. I read a book by Anthony Browder called “The Nile Valley Contributions to Civilization” The book described a place called KEMET which was conquered by the Europeans who renamed is EGYPT. The book discussed the history of the BLACK king and queens who ruled the lane. It provides ideas on the originality of modern day society. Literally everything you know has European history. Reading that book allowed me to create my own lane instead of conforming to the paths that were already provided to me. My curiosity eventually birthed my line KEMET CO CLOTHING.
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?
LOL!! I would not use “smooth” to describe my journey. The struggles I ran into, however, were personal struggles from within. They were wondering if I was actually capable of doing something to this magnitude. How will it be accepted and me doubting myself every step of the way. I also dealt with a lot of persona depression in general, which caused me to seriously second guess if this what for me. I would say working on mental health and dealing with my own personal demons face on gave me the boost and courage I needed to launch and feel comfortable and positive that this journey was the best for me. Dealing with those struggles allows me to tell me a story and create a lane that was never present beforehand. THAT IS THE ULTIMATE GOAL!!
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Kemet Co Clothing story.
I am the CEO of Kemet Co Clothing. We offer comfortable urban wear for everyday use. From hoodies, T-shirts and joggers. I am currently looking to expand to athletic gear and jackets for this upcoming spring. I think the thing that I am most proud of is just being an example for my three girls. That you can accomplish anything, you put your mind to. Leaving a legacy for my children is so important to me. It goes beyond materialistic things. My dream is to give them the ability to create anything.
What sets me apart?? Is the ability to target the minority race. To provide information that we are not given in regards to OUR history. To create dialect among people to open the desire to pick up a book and research who you are and where your greatness comes from. I want my line to be a badge of honor. To bring confidence and exclusivity to the ones that purchase and wear my clothing.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I’ve never been one to believe in luck. I’ve always said luck is for those who fail to dream and achieve. I’m not lucky or unlucky I’m blessed and destined for greatness… Persistence, consistency and determination that is the ONLY way!!!
Pricing:
- Hoodies 49.99
- Tshirts 29.99
- Joggers 45.99
Contact Info:
- Website: www.kemetcoclothing.com
- Email: kemetcoclothing@gmail.com
- Instagram: business page @kemetcoclothing personal page @_sheenalynne_
- Facebook: business page kemetclothing personal page Sheenalynn
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