Startup Savvy: Young Entrepreneur Sheree Lynn Of SLP Couture Shares Their Secrets For Rapid Growth and Success
An Interview With Eden Gold
Adaptability and Flexibility: In the fast-paced world of fashion, trends come and go, consumer preferences shift, and market dynamics change rapidly. I know that staying adaptable and flexible is essential for survival in this industry. Being able to pivot designs to fit a client’s needs, and embrace new technologies are all ways to stay ahead of the curve.
The entrepreneurial landscape is more vibrant and challenging than ever, with young entrepreneurs at the forefront, driving innovation and redefining the boundaries of success in the business world. These dynamic individuals are not only creating new products and services but also building sustainable business models that thrive in today’s fast-paced, technology-driven environment. Their journeys are filled with lessons of resilience, strategic innovation, and the relentless pursuit of growth. As part of this series, we had the pleasure of interviewing Sheree Lynn.
Sheree Patton is a sophomore college student at Central Michigan University, where she is pursuing her passion for fashion design and merchandising. From a young age, Sheree has been captivated by the world of fashion, fostering her creativity and vision since the age of 12. Her unwavering dedication to her craft has led her to pursue her dreams at CMU, where she is honing her skills and knowledge in the industry.
Driven by her lifelong “passion for fashion,” Sheree is on a mission to bring her unique perspective to the world of couture and streetwear. This spring, she is poised to make her mark with the launch of her personal brand, “SLP Couture.” Through SLP Couture, Sheree plans to showcase her distinctive style, blending elements of high-end couture with urban streetwear influences.
With her innovative designs and entrepreneurial spirit, Sheree is set to make waves in the fashion industry. Her determination, coupled with her creative flair, positions her as a rising star in the world of fashion, poised to leave a lasting impact with SLP Couture.
Thank you so much for joining us in this interview series. Before we dive into our discussion about cultural sensitivity, our readers would love to “get to know you” a bit better. Can you share the most interesting story that happened to you since you started your career?
The most interesting thing is that I had a client recently who is disabled, and I was able to create clothes for her. She gave my partner and I full creative freedom, her only request was that is be something “party like” and she liked denim and never had been able to wear them due to her condition. What we created for her was a Demin two-piece outfit with a corset and demin wrap skirt. We had her come in for a fitting and she was overjoyed with what we created for her. I really felt rewarded that she liked and something that she would want to wear and feel confident in. It was an amazing feeling.
You are a successful individual. Which three character traits do you think were most instrumental to your success? Can you please share a story or example for each?
As a new fashion designer, my success hinges on three vital traits: creativity, perseverance, and adaptability. Through creativity, I can use my own imagination and create pieces that will captivate my audience and bring forth my own personality in each piece. It really has been the driving force in creating the looks I am currently creating. Also, my family, they have been so supportive in my decision to pursue my degree and create my line. The perseverance and adaptability came from the Pandemic. Although it was a time where we all had to take time to take care of ourselves, it also brought about a newfound creativity for me and I created a lot of my looks during that time. I’m really proud of myself to being able to adapt through something like that. These traits have been instrumental in navigating the competitive and ever-evolving landscape of the fashion industry, propelling me towards my goals and establishing my presence within the field.
Ok, thank you for that. Let’s now jump to the primary focus of our interview about young entrepreneurs secrets to rapid growth and success. To start, how would you define success?
Success, to me, is more than just money, it is the passion and dedication you have to your craft daily. It’s the reason you get up every day and go after your goals and dreams. When you’re truly passionate about what you do, each day feels like a gift, an opportunity to give it your all and share your gift with the world.
Also, success is not celebrating only your successes, it’s also about embracing your failures. If it is something you can learn from it’s not a failure. If the win is small, it’s still win. Even small wins deserve to be celebrating (that’s really something I live by!). Financial success isn’t the end goal; it’s a continuous journey of self-discovery, growth, and fulfillment, where every moment is an opportunity to thrive and make a meaningful impact.
What unconventional strategy did you employ that significantly contributed to your startup’s growth, and why do you think it was so effective?
I didn’t start out as most people did with an internship or a mentor of any kind, I took a leap and began to research what certain stitch types were or what the different type of fabrics were, so I guess you can say in the beginning I was self-taught in a sense! I began doing small alterations for friends that needed them. Even though I was very new to sewing, my passion for what I was doing was enough for them to at least allow me to get some sort of small projects under my belt. That lead me to also begin my college program at Central Michigan because since being here, I have also begun to do alterations for some of my peers. I think this was effective because I came to CMU already knowing a small amount what being seamstress looked like and was able to apply some of what I learned on my own, to what I am doing now. It wasn’t the most conventional, but it worked for me.
Can you share a critical pivot point in your startup’s journey and how you navigated the decision-making process?
I haven’t had a critical need to pivot yet, however, I have gone through a few name changes with my brand and also some logo changes. It’s been more so a branding pivot than anything. The decision to change my name and my logo was because I wanted my brand to stand out from others. When someone see’s my logo or any of my marketing material, I want them to know that it is me. I wanted my brand to be unique in a crowded industry.
How do you balance the need for rapid growth with maintaining a sustainable and healthy company culture?
Well because it’s just me at this moment, I have found ways to schedule and manage my time. Building a brand and being a college student you kind of must schedule time for everything, right! So, I have time to work on my homework, and then to also work on pieces for SLP Couture, and to spend time with friends and family. It’s all about balance!
In what ways has your personal definition of success evolved since the inception of your startup?
My perception has definitely changed. It went from thinking that success means money, I slowly realized it was the small wins that mattered. Money should not ever be the driving force behind what you want to do with your life. The money will come, if you stay consistent and true to yourself, it will come, but the feeling you get when you reach the level you want to reach, makes it mean more.
Based on your experience and research, can you please share “5 Things You Need to Succeed as a Young Person in Business?”
1 . Passion and Creativity: My passion for fashion has been a driving force behind my creativity and success thus far. Without genuine enthusiasm for the craft and the ability to innovate, it can be challenging to stand out in the ever-evolving fashion industry.
2 . Resilience and Persistence: I have learned firsthand that setbacks and challenges are inevitable in the business world. That’s why I feel it is important to never give up on what you want to accomplish. You must have the ability to bounce back and keep moving forward.
3 . Networking and Relationship Building: Building a strong network of contacts and nurturing relationships within the industry is crucial. I have joined the Detroit Fashion Community in an effort to build those connections in the Detroit Fashion Industry. I understand opportunities often arise through connections, whether it’s collaborating with other designers, partnering with suppliers, or gaining exposure through influencers and media contacts.
4 . Adaptability and Flexibility: In the fast-paced world of fashion, trends come and go, consumer preferences shift, and market dynamics change rapidly. I know that staying adaptable and flexible is essential for survival in this industry. Being able to pivot designs to fit a client’s needs, and embrace new technologies are all ways to stay ahead of the curve.
5 . Understanding Finances and Business: You have to not only be creative, but you also have to be able to run a business. That was one of the main reasons for me attending CMU in their fashion program. I wanted to not only learn how to make clothes, but I also wanted to learn how to run the business. I do recognize the importance of having a solid understanding of the business side of things. From budgeting and pricing to marketing and sales, it all works together towards building a successful brand.
What is one piece of advice you would give to an aspiring entrepreneur that you wish someone had given you at the start of your journey?
Growth won’t happen overnight! That’s the biggest one, understanding that it is a marathon not a sprint and things take time to develop. Also, social media is not that important, gaining a loyal customer base is more important. As young entrepreneurs, we sometimes see success as someone having 1.1M followers, but are those 1.1M followers customers? That’s something to think about.
You are a person of great influence. If you could start a movement that would bring the most amount of good to the most amount of people, what would that be? You never know what your idea can trigger. 🙂
Creating clothing for all body types. Not everyone is shaped the same, everyone is different So being about to create a brand that speaks to everyone would definitely be a movement I would like to start. Who knows, maybe SLP Couture can be the start of that!
How can our readers further follow you online?
My Instagram at @slp_.couture. Make sure you follow me for updates on my official launch date and how you can purchase!
Thank you for the time you spent sharing these fantastic insights. We wish you only continued success in your great work!
Thank you so much it was a pleasure speaking with you!
Startup Savvy: Young Entrepreneur Sheree Lynn Of SLP Couture Shares Their Secrets For Rapid Growth… was originally published in Authority Magazine on Medium, where people are continuing the conversation by highlighting and responding to this story.