Today we’d like to introduce you to Deanna Rice.
Hi Deanna, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
My journey began in 2018 when I stepped out on faith and launched my online store, Elva Mae Boutique. I decided to name my business after my Grandmother because she has always inspired me to be a better version of myself by guiding me with her unconditional love and patience. In 2019 I began working with Made You Look Photo & Film as their in-house stylist. As my portfolio expanded, I started receiving other styling opportunities and began networking. At the end of 2020, I received the call from a good friend who was Derek Blank’s Executive Producer at the time, and he asked me to assist on a shoot for one of Derek’s clients. On set, I met celebrity stylist Ryan Christopher and asked him if I could shadow him for a while, to which he graciously agreed. For a few months, I assisted Ryan on his shoots and got to work with some major Atlanta photographers and I learned how to navigate being a stylist in the entertainment industry. As life became more normal in 2021, I did not have as much time to assist Ryan on his shoots, but I started receiving my own paying clients that year. That was the year I began to realize that I could earn a living doing what I love! My focus was still on the boutique and empowering women through fashion and community, but I really lived for photoshoots.
At the end of 2021, I produced a small fashion show to kick off a three-weeks long pop-up that I thought was going to do amazing! I was completely wrong, and I ended up spending more money than I made back. I was appreciative of my supporters who came out to shop of course, but I felt incredibly discouraged and lost. I started doubting myself as a business owner and considered closing Elva Mae altogether because my ego and pride were hurt. I took the month of December off and took a break from posting on social media because I found that I was comparing myself to other entrepreneurs who seemed to have it all figured out, and I was still struggling. My numbers were improving each year, but I was not growing as fast I would have liked. During my hiatus, I kept asking myself why I never focused on styling full-time. I realized that I was intimidated by the thought and relied on the safety net of the boutique instead of pursuing my true passion out of fear of failure.
In January of 2022, I announced to my followers that I was going to shift my focus on styling full-time. This was the most nerve-wracking decision I had made for my business, and the fact that I made it public meant that I had to hold myself accountable. I had no idea how I was going to secure clients or how I was going to shift everything away from selling products to selling my services, which were much more expensive. I had to trust that God would open doors for me and give me the courage to walk through them, even if I didn’t feel worthy or ready.
Currently, I am still styling and working with different photographers, and I produce content for the Kontent Faktory as well as serving as their in-house stylist. The opportunities have been so abundant, and it’s still just the beginning of the year! In these first couple of months of 2022, I’ve landed the biggest jobs of my career to date! I had the honor of styling for Anthony Hamilton and LeVelle for their new song “Fell In Love”. It was such an honor to work with Mr. Hamilton, an artist that I have grown into adulthood with. I also had the incredible opportunity to work with the iconic Playboy’s photographer Sebastian. I’m excited to see what else is in store this year!
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?
The road to where I am today has not been easy by any means! I had to navigate self-doubt, rejection, separation in my marriage, and naysayers. I struggled to know my worth for a long time. Even now, I do meditative affirmations to embed my value into my subconscious so that everything I do and say comes from a place of love and positivity. The most painful part of my journey was not having support from someone with whom I share a very personal and intimate relationship with. It hurt to see that they didn’t think I was capable of accomplishing the things that I have. I had to choose time and time again to keep being persistent, to keep showing up and showing out until they had no choice but to see me and the work God is doing through me. I did not accomplish these things out of spite but rather as a response to not allowing their lack of vision get in my way. I knew I had work to do.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Formerly Elva Mae Boutique, I recently changed the name of my business to Elva Mae Styling House once I decided to shift my focus from a product-based service to a service-based business in 2022. The name Elva Mae comes from my Grandmother whom we call “Honey”. I was inspired to launch a business with the core values she taught me my entire life–to embrace, love, value, and affirm myself and others, even when it’s hard to. It’s important to me that I maintain integrity in everything that I do.
Elva Mae Styling House provides an all-inclusive fashion experience. My clients have the option of literally doing nothing but showing up and trusting my team to execute their vision flawlessly. From photography to makeup, hair, and of course, the fashion, we provide an unforgettable VIP experience. I enjoy making my clients feel like a celebrity for the day and making them see themselves in a more beautiful, even more sexy light.
I’m so proud of the established photographers I’ve had a chance to work with like Derek Blanks, Sebastian of Playboy, and Award-winning photographer Montoya Turner of Made You Look Photo & Film, among many other talents! I’m also proud of the community I’ve built around Elva Mae. I love the feedback I receive from woman whom I’ve never met, but they cheer me on and keep me going.
How do you think about happiness?
Peace makes me happy. I’ve learned that it’s okay to say no to things or people who disturb my spirit and to eliminate harmful situations from my life. My community makes me happy. My friends and family members who “hold me down” so I can fly means the world to me, and I don’t know if I could ever thank them enough. The women in my life are so inspirational in their own individual ways. To be able to grow, learn, and evolve makes me happy. The fact that my loved ones are still here despite a worldwide pandemic makes my heart so full. Time is such a precious commodity, and the fact that I get to use the rest of my time on this Earth doing what I love with the people I love makes me incredibly grateful and happy.
Contact Info:
- Email: info@elvamae.com
- Website: www.elvamae.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elvamaeboutique/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elvamaeboutique
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCbUCLy6IBBdPz1mngDnTYug
Image Credits:
Photographers: Derek Blanks & Montoya Turner Makeup Artist: Thea Marie Models: Tiana & Asja Clients: Bear & Honey Candle & Dr. Ashley Randall
