Meet Symone Symone of Omi Grace in Covington

Today we’d like to introduce you to Symone Symone.

So, before we jump into specific questions about what you do, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I’ve loved art for as far back as my memories go. My professional experience started in college when I was looking for a unique gift for one of our new sorority initiates. I couldn’t find it, so I made it. Isn’t that how the story often goes? Simply trying to meet our own needs? Well, that quickly turned from one item to many items and once I graduated, I was near famous (at least in the Greek community) for my original tees. I’ve painted everything from aprons to basketballs to hats and wine glasses. But after many years, I was worn out and bored. Then, in pops a personal tragedy and I gave it all up to tend to my ailing mother. After she passed, I felt the need to try something new and I did that. I did it well, but I missed art. I missed painting. I missed working alone in the quiet of my space and pulling these amazing ideas directly from my brain and capturing them on canvas. To be honest, it took a while for me to find my groove, but once I did things came rushing back. Then, one day, while playing around in the photo editor, I realized I could create prints out of my paintings. That’s the day Omi Grace started to form and this new project started to take root in me. We’re coming up on year three since that day. She’s still very much a baby, but she’s doing well. Growing strong. I imagine a great future ahead. Time is making space for us.

Has it been a smooth road?
If we’re going for a road metaphor, I think the road is the way it should be. The road is fine, unlike these Atlanta city streets. I’d just imagine it being like a round-trip, cross-country type situation. It’s long. Sometimes you have to stop. Which I did for almost four years. Sometimes you have to rest. I’ve done this too. Sometimes you get to pass through some really dope places. Sometimes you don’t. There are mountains. Deserts. OMG and have you ever done a road trip in the rain? It’s miserable. I think we just sometimes expect the entrepreneurial journey to be linear. A straight shot between here and success. And it just hasn’t been that way for me. I doubt it’s that way for any of us. I’ve started and stopped multiple times. I’ve cried a lot. But I’m still here. Still creating.

So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Omi Grace story. Tell us more about it.
One thing I’ve learned over the years is that people LOVE having something that is unique and made only for them. Everyone wants to feel special. It’s what made me successful in the past and it’s something I’m committed to highlighting now. Omi Grace is helping to make that possible. We’re an online boutique specializing in one of a kind and limited-edition art, fashion, and accessories. We started with handbags and travel bags made with custom fabric created with my original artwork. Now, we’re collaborating with other Black Women-owned businesses to bring their projects to a new audience. The first is a collection of one-of-a-kind handmade earrings created in collaboration with Zellhaus. The earrings were a big hit at our most recent event, 1 of Minnie, where I displayed a 500 sq.ft. artwork comprised of 1,000 individual paintings. These smaller pieces are hand-painted 5×7 canvas panels called the Minnies. They are our most popular product and each one depicts a stylized portrait of a Black woman. I absolutely love creating them and the fact that they provide an accessible option for original artwork. Now, with Omi Grace, unique personal style that can be both on your body and in your home (or office).

How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
I’m not sure I’m actually paying attention to the industry. At least not in a way where I feel I can gauge any nuanced trends. I mean, is there a box for what I do? Doesn’t feel like it. Though one thing I’m noticing is that as a culture we’re shifting more towards shopping small and buying local. Maybe that’s about being more Earth-conscious, which is super important to me. But it may also be about finding special pieces which speak more to the individual. I know both these things are important for the people who shop with me. So, if it’s a combination of the two, it’s a win-win for Omi Grace. Witnessing retail suffering and stores closing daily, a lot of small business owners are intimidated by having their own space, but it’s still on my to-do list. I’d love to have a physical home for Omi where people can come relax and enjoy all that we have to offer in person. I think we got a small taste of what that would be like with 1 of Minnie and it kind of solidified the dream. I’m excited!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.omigrace.com/
• Email: heysymone@omigrace.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/weareomigrace/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/weareomigrace/

Image Credit:
Carol Lee Rose

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