Today we’d like to introduce you to Javisha Lasheaa.
Hi Javisha, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I am the CEO of a Clothing Brand called Winning SZN (Season). It’s a POSITIVE Brand and encourages people at any age to go after their goals aimlessly. Our merch is sold at — Love and Hip Hop Atlanta star BK Brasco Retail store called Band of Brothers and one of Atlanta’s favorite Sneaker Boutiques on the south side of Atlanta.
The clothing line WINNING SZN (SEASON). is a MOTIVATIONAL brand Inspired by a gospel song called “You Will Win” By Jacquelin Carr. This eight-minute song fueled my energy, shifting it to POSITIVE after experiencing depression in a rough period of my life. I wanted to give up on everything and throw in the towel. After listening to “You Will Win” over and over, it gave me the motivation to continue to move forward regardless of what my circumstances were at that moment. I have always had a love for fashion, so I thought to myself why not help others who also go through difficult times and motivate them through fashion. Lo and Behold, that day, WINNING SZN was born.
After launching the brand approximately (6) months later, I decided to do a fashion show and I didn’t know who would show up but I took a risk. I remember only putting 50 chairs out and at the start of the show they came backstage and started pulling 100 more. I honestly couldn’t believe it. That show opened my eyes and made me feel as if I could do anything I put my mind to. Don’t get me wrong, there was so much work behind the scenes and for weeks, I couldn’t sleep because I was so focused on having a successful show.
Since then, I recently had another fashion show and Safaree From Love & Hip Hop was the host. I met him at a sneaker boutique and he and Erica Mena were going out of town the following day to Mexico. He was standing near my rack of clothes and he asked the owner “Yooo” who’s is this? I introduced myself and he followed me and the Winning SZN business page. The very next day, he rocked his red hoodie and shouted me out on social media as he worked out with his trainer.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
Like all businesses, starting and managing Winning SZN came with its own set of struggles. I went from having cheap t-shirts that felt like cardboard that would draw up in the washing machine after wearing one time to manufacturing all my clothing. This means I create everything from scratch, from the zippers to the buttons, pockets to measurements. — fresh cotton to be exact. I remember one of my “friends” speaking about how cheap my shirts were in the beginning, it’s actually kind of funny now that I think about it. I gave him a FREE T-shirt so he could promote it for me on social media and he trashed it. Well, I’m very happy that happened because as soon as I was able to afford better quality t-shirts, I couldn’t wait to release the new collection and name it after him. It just made me want to BOSS UP even more! I appreciate the individuals that supported me regardless and knew that the WINNING SZN name meant so much more than the perfect quality. I think it’s important to understand that you have to start somewhere and you grow and evolve with your business.
Unfortunately, I’ve also experienced depression on my journey of becoming the entrepreneur I am today. People don’t know how much goes on behind the scenes. One day you’re up the next day you’re down. Everything that could go wrong went wrong and I just didn’t know how much more I could take. After over six months of shutting down my business, I remember people reaching out from everywhere checking on me. Seeing the love and the messaging saying “you were such an inspiration and now theres a void”. It was because I was pouring into everyone else but myself.
Once I came back on the scene, I released a boxing video in the ring with me fighting life. I didn’t want to go into detail of my experiences so I had the opponent dressed in a black t-shirt with LIFE across the front. LIFE can serve as anything that causes stress — Cancer, single mother raising kids on her own, a divorce a student that is experiencing bullying. It was an editorial shoot so I was dressed in heels and my make up was so pretty but it was sweating off my face as “LIFE” continued throwing punches. In the last round of the boxing match, I ended up knocking Life out as a metephore to encourage everyone who is battling life right now–Keep fighting! You Will WIN!
You are able to view a small short motivational film of me boxing LIFE at the following link: https://youtu.be/dNAhh8Hru2w
As you know, we’re big fans of WINNING SZN (Season). For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Winning SZN started as a clothing line but has since then turned into a BRAND. I began with just (6) signature t-shirts. The very first one was “Just Over Here Minding My Back Owned Business”. As soon as it released, it went crazy. All the black business owners in the local area started purchasing and the rest was history. I started reposting them with their t-shirts in their very own work environments. I realized that there were so many entrepreneurs in the city that were doing great things and I wanted to support them. By no time this becomes a trend to post a picture in your t-shirt at work. This motivated others to be entrepreneurs and eventually get a shoutout on the Winning SZN Instagram page,
I think what sets me apart from other clothing brands is that I take pride in supporting my community. I do giveaways all the time and feed the hungry. I remember being in a T mobile store and someone approached me and said “Hey, you are the women with the winning t-shirts, I remember you from giving out the packages on Thanksgiving last year”. When I tell you that warmed my heart, that will only say the least. I asked a few entrepreneurs what is it that they need help with and the common dominator was “SUPPORT”. Unfortunately, as minorities we don’t support one another. It’s my mission to be able to chip away at or at least began to change so others can follow will follow suit. I’d like to serve as a positive influence and provide families, young mothers and children with guidance so that we can get rid of the crabs in a bucket mentally and produce more WINNERS. I am very proud of my roots and I will always do anything in my power to make a difference.
Something else that makes The Winning SZN brand different is that we have a group of entrepreneurs, models, artists and brand ambassadors who are in the “WINNER Circle” This circle grows bigger every year. Everyone does there own thing, we have photographers, videographers, realtors, models, artists, personal trainer, skincare lines, etc. We all support each other. Anytime someone has a popup shop or an artist is performing or if I have a fashion show, they are all in attendance.
What does success mean to you?
Success to me is having the freedom to live life on your my terms.
Contact Info:
- Email: info@winningszn.com
- Website: www.winningszn.com
- Instagram: @Winning_szn / @Javisha_lasheaa
- Facebook: Winning_SZN
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJIXdHs2GXF6MJcpm27fJWA
- Other: https://youtu.be/ortAH_yOXmo
