Today we’d like to introduce you to Latasha McAlpine.
Hi Latasha, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I would say my story started as a child. I was an extremely creative child who also happened to excel academically.
I chose the academic path which led me to the legal profession. However, the creative side of me is just as dominant or even more so than the academic side of me. This brings me to where I have been for the past few years. A lawyer chasing a dream.
I launched a photography company, Immanuel Images and an Etsy story, Immanuel’s Closet years ago. My Etsy store sold the handmade shoes and jewelry I designed. Those businesses gave me the skillset to branch into the direction I have currently taken. I now own a luxury brand that I launched in August of 2019, Valeria McAlpine.
You can find my brand at www.valeriamcalpine.com. My brand is an expression of who I am. I currently sell my own line of shoes, which I designed, for women and children. I also sell my fine jewelry, PM Valeria, under my brand. The PM stands for precious metals, as each piece is either sterling silver or gold. Additionally, my brand contains a nontoxic luxury candle line. The candles are non-toxic because I believe in safe and clean products.
Valeria McAlpine also contains a faith based portion, Run Toward Goliath. My Christian faith is very important to me and undergirds the very essence of who I am and how I express who I am. Run Toward Goliath includes slogan tees, sweatshirts and hoodies; a 31 day devotional journal and slogan PM Valeria jewelry. I wrote the Run Toward Goliath devotional journal with individuals in mind who have consistently faced various hard situations (giants) or those who need help and encouragement to press pass hard places into the fullness of every promise God has for them.
As for the future, I look forward to Valeria McAlpine being widely known as a brand that exudes luxury and excellence. A brand that is dependable, trustworthy and inspirational. A brand that shows individuals that dreams will and do come true.
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?
Owning a business has not been a smooth road. I didn’t come from a family of businessmen or entrepreneurs so I think one of the biggest issues I dealt with is literally learning how to start and successfully run a business. There are so many things that I learned just from circumstances arising and me having to think on my feet concerning a solution. However, with time things have gotten easier and there are so many resources online now that anyone can pretty much get basic business knowledge for free.
We’ve been impressed with Valeria McAlpine, 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?
I want people to know that Valeria McAlpine is a person and a brand. And that the brand is an expression of the person. The brand is an outlet for all the creative expressions of myself, Latasha Valeria McAlpine.
Who else deserves credit in your story?
God definitely deserves credit. If you’re wondering why my original businesses included Immanuel in their names, Immanuel Images and Immanuel’s Closet, it’s because Immanuel means “God with us” and I would be remised if I did not acknowledge my understanding of where the source of my talents originate. They originate from the God who is with me.
Additionally, my mom deserves tons of credit. As a child, for any holiday or birthday, she always took me to the creative toy section and allowed me to get any type of creative toy I wanted. I was making jewelry, pottery, food, art, you name it, as a child. And that has carried over into my adulthood.
Contact Info:
- Email: valeriamcalpine@gmail.com
- Website: www.valeriamcalpine.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/valeriamcalpine_thebrand
Image Credits
Michael Moorer Photography
