Community Highlights: Meet Raquel Smith of KidRaq Luxury Eyewear

Today we’d like to introduce you to Raquel Smith.

Hi Raquel, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
My story is one of an ordinary person with dreams and ambition. It’s the story of a southern girl who traveled north to launch her career in fashion. And it’s the story of a single mom committed to providing for her young son and creating a worthwhile legacy that he will carry forward.

Like many people, I held positions in a couple of different fields before embracing the career path that now speaks to my heart. I worked in healthcare and with the Postal Service before venturing into fashion and styling, which in turn led me to New York City. I took courses at the Fashion Institute while working in internships with notable fashion houses such as Nautica and House of Dereon. It wasn’t long till I had earned a reputation for being resourceful and creative as well as a hard worker. As a House of Dereon intern, I caught the attention of Tina Knowles, Beyoncé’s mom, who then brought me aboard shortly thereafter, as one of Beyoncé’s personal stylists.

As you know, Beyoncé is a creative genius who finds inspiration in pretty much everything. As her longtime stylist, I further developed my talent for seeing what’s missing and then filling in the gap. That’s what led to the formation of KidRaq Luxury Eyewear. I noticed how kids like to emulate their parents but there was nothing in terms of high-quality fashion eyewear that would allow kids to do that. After some research and a few phone calls, KidRaq Luxury Eyewear started to take shape and I discovered that along with all the other things I have achieved over the years, I’m also an entrepreneur.

Although establishing the KidRaq brand hasn’t always been easy, it has always been a labor of love. Caleb, my son, is what I call the CCO (“Chief Child Officer”) of KidRaq now and someday, he will become its CEO. That’s the legacy I see leaving him and it is the legacy that – even at just eight years old – he sees for himself too.

My story is ongoing.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I believe in turning stumbling blocks into stepping stones. The very first challenge I faced was knowledge-based. I had little to no knowledge of the eyewear industry or manufacturing or import/export and on and on. But I was confident that I could learn what I needed to know and that there would be people willing to help me because of the network I had built over the years.

Starting a business while being the mother of a small child also held challenges. There were times when KidRaq kept me away from home for days and sometimes weeks. It was my mother and sisters who provided the nurturing presence that Caleb needed when I could not be present with him.

And then there was the pandemic that challenged the entire world. There were agreements for KidRaq eyewear to be sold in premium hotels and stores. Covid-19, however, changed all of that, requiring us to focus on our online presence to build brand awareness in ways that we hadn’t previously considered.

We’ve been impressed with KidRaq Luxury Eyewear, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
KidRaq is a luxury eyewear brand inspired by my son, Caleb, and Beyoncé. We offer stylish, high-quality designs that encourage a positive self-image. A unique feature of our brand is that in each style, we added an affirmation “Always Believe in Yourself” in the right temple. We want our KidRaq clients to look fashionable and be inspired when they wear KidRaq. Our signature concept, which is called “mommy and me/daddy and me,” empowers the parent and child together through matching eyewear.

KidRaq has an international presence with young influencers in the Netherlands-Tolliver Boyz and Farouk James in the UK. KidRaq has been spotted on Beyonce and her mother, Tina Lawson, actresses Jessica Alba and Gabrielle Union Wade, the Kroeger family – Dawson, Angela, and Ava. In addition, KidRaq eyewear has been a featured wardrobe selection on two Nickelodeon projects – Tyler Perry’s Young Dylan and That Girl Lay Lay’s video -Long Hair. Another kid influencers highlight include the McClure Twins reels rocking KidRaq.

KidRaq also partners with youth groups, schools/colleges, and community organizations to assist with resource needs.

Is there anyone you’d like to thank or give credit to?
My mom, Louise  and my sisters — Nadine, Fabienne and Angelyn – deserve credit. Their loving support has enabled me to do what I do knowing that my son will be nurtured and cared for when work requires me to be somewhere other than home. They’re also the people I confide in and who provide refuge and comfort when I need it most.

In addition to my family, my styling career with Beyoncé for over a decade also inspired me to take this journey to entrepreneurship. I’m grateful to Beyoncé and her mom, Tina Knowles Lawson for modeling excellence and achievement, for giving me a chance, and for helping me to see things differently – as my dreams are being realized.  Also, my styling partner and brother, Ty Hunter, deserves credit for his unwavering encouragement and support he has provided over the years.

The KidRaq models, including my son, Caleb, and their parents deserve credit for the amazing ways in which they rock KidRaq eyewear and promote it among their social media followers.

And I’m grateful to Dr. Bernice King and her family, whose work for justice, equality, and self-determination over the years has allowed a girl like me to dream big and make it happen.

Finally, many thanks to Nordstrom for accepting the KidRaq brand into one of their invitation only programs.  I am most excited about this partnership and being a part of Nordstrom’s unique fashion shopping experience for their shoppers.

Pricing:

• $109 – $179

Contact Info:

• Website: www.kidraq.com
• Instagram: @officialkidraq
• Facebook: @officialkidraq