Rising Stars: Meet Jonathan Simmons

Born in Brooklyn & raised by Trinidadians, what a wonderful mix. City of Riches was founded by a Travel Happy, Food Loving, Fashion devotee determined to celebrate Style & Individuality using Fashion with the people of the world. The goal is to provide everyone with high-quality material with impeccable unique designs. They state to go above and beyond hand-selecting their materials for the best quality while creating meaningful designs.

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?
The road has been complicated- with marketing, making clothing, finding manufactures, creating designs, building the website while still supporting a family and also working a daily 9- 5 Job. No one said it would be easy but personally thought I could do it all. It became easier now than when I first started now that I can delegate tasks and find the right time to launch new products. While still looking to grow without any angel investors, loans or external funding. Backing all of the company’s expenses out of pocket can be a major struggle knowing the return does not come overnight especially as the breadwinner for my family. I have learned how to find low-cost classes and print on demand suppliers for items with lower turnovers. As of now, I do feel the potential growth where I am putting myself in a place to make a name in the fashion industry.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
Working in e-commerce for over ten years I have a sense of understanding the customer’s needs through data, market research and analysis. Being a creative individual and data-driven has set me aside from others because my changes and updates are based on proven concepts while not duplicating other fashion brands’ marketing, tactics or designs. City of riches has been something that has become a part of me and I feel it’s personally a lifestyle.