May 21, 2019

Conversations with the Inspiring Kishara Marie

Local Stories

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kishara Marie.

Thanks for sharing your story with us Kishara. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I’ve always been a designer, I just wasn’t aware of it. Growing up I use to cut up my mom clothes to make outfits. She would be so pissed. I remember working at Wet Willys in midtown and not being happy. Something was missing. I was homeless, sleeping on multiple friends couches. I think things took a turn when I ended up at Follies on a Friday to drink. I was asked to come back as a dancer the next day. I went back! I danced the day shift from 12pm to 8pm. Mid way through the shift a white guy stopped me (supposedly a millionaire or at least that’s what the other girls were saying). He told me “I’ve never sen you here before,” I said, “because it’s it’s my first day.” He replied with “make it your last, have a seat.” He then asked me what I wanted to be and a lot of other questions. He paid me for the rest of my shift. And from there I quit my job at Wet Willies the next day and started sewing none stop. The rest is history.

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?
It hasn’t been a smooth road at all. I went from couch to couch. Questioning if I’m even doing what I was called to do. But for anyone not just women I’d tell them to learn themselves, know your path and don’t let anyone else’s path distract you from your own. It’s hard. Pray and have faith. And to believe in themselves because if you don’t NO ONE ELSE WILL. You do have a point to prove but not to the people that doubt you. Prove to the people that have always believed in you to keep going because you really can be what you work hard at!

So let’s switch gears a bit and go into Kishara Clothing story. Tell us more about the business.
I specialize in anything I put my mind to. I’ve made everything from chest bags to swimwear and everything in between. I make custom clothing by hand as well as tee shirt printing. I’ve made so many things I could be proud of. But the most important thing isn’t the items I make. It’s my faith. How I manage to believe what’s for me is really for me no matter what. Shit gets hard, and I get harder!

What do you feel are the biggest barriers today to female leadership, in your industry or generally?
Aww man there are so many it feels like. Sometimes it feels like I’m not being taken seriously. I think that’s probably my biggest problem.

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