Today we’d like to introduce you to Makayla Benjamin
Hi MaKayla, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I’ve always been a dreamer. Growing up, I wanted to live abroad while pursuing my career in fashion and art. I went through a few different phases. I wanted to be a hairstylist, an interior designer, and a singer at some point during my childhood. I wanted to have my own salon or interior design firm. Aside from my big dreams, I knew that if I had to work a 9-5, I would be in an office somewhere, just so I could dress up every day lol. My love for fashion had to be something I was born with.
I got my first job at 18 years old. I was a young, single mother, and I just needed money. My first 6 months on the job, I was offered my first leadership role, and I turned it down because I didn’t think I was ready for the responsibility of running a store. About a year later, I found out that my son had cancer all while I was preparing to move away for college. My parents didn’t want me to miss out on my studies, so they allowed me to attend fashion school while they helped out with my son. I had no idea that this was preparing me for so many more hurdles in my life.
On the days that I didn’t have class, I would go back home to my son. There were also times where I had to miss classes to go to his numerous treatments and appointments. I had 2 part-time jobs; one back home that I worked every other weekend and then another in Charleston where I attended college. Both jobs were in retail. I have no idea how I managed all of that at such a young age, but I did it. I just did what I had to do.
Eventually, I left both part times because I got hired at H&M. I gained so much retail experience working for them. I travelled to other stores to help open and train other associates. Because I was doing all of that, the idea of that leadership role I was offered at my previous job came back to me and I said to myself, “I think I’m ready to move up.” So, I inquired about a higher position with them. I never got the position, but I didn’t let that stop me from chasing what I wanted. Someone told me that just because one employer doesn’t see your value, doesn’t mean that’s what you’re worth. So, I went back to one of my old employers and this go around I was given my first leadership position as a Key Holder. I have to shout out Mrs. Tonya Ferguson for that offer because I don’t think I would be where I am if it wasn’t for her. She’s in heaven now, but I thank God for giving me the opportunity to work under her leadership. She taught me a lot in so little time.
Once I got “Key Holder” on my resume, it was up from there. I got an Assistant Manager role with a new company, and I kept growing from there. As I climbed the retail ladder, life seemed to be becoming easier. My son beat cancer. I was acquiring “business savvy” friends. I was a part of a group that we called “Shootas”. It was a collaborative female group that came together to work on different projects like photo shoots. We all had different talents, so together we were an entire set crew. We had a hair stylist, 2 wardrobe stylist (including myself), 2 photographers, a makeup artist, and we all modeled. Working with them was definitely an experience that I needed.
I started my business in 2020 in the middle of the pandemic, when everything was closed, and life was basically at a standstill. I saw a huge demand for face masks, and I knew how to sew, so I started hand making them to sell. I started out making them individually until others were searching for a source of income, so I started selling them in bulk for others to sell. I made so much money that I decided to stop and order my first batch of clothing inventory. I sold stacked leggings in 2 colors. I believe within less than a year’s time, I moved to Charlotte to take on a Store Manager role for a new company and I would sell my merchandise out of my trunk in the parking lot of the store I was running. I wasn’t supposed to be doing that, but I had to get it! I had to do what I had to do! I would wear my pieces to work, and the ladies would come in like, “I like that!” I’m like, “Girl, I got them in my car! You want it?” I’d get one of my associates to go outside and grab the item and collect the money and I was booming!
I used part of my paychecks to replenish inventory, just to ensure that I kept something new on hand at all times. Shipments were coming in once a week. I eventually quit to focus on my business full time and actually take it seriously. I built my own website. It took me 3 months to complete. I got my LLC, EIN, and a business bank account. That’s when I started selling my things on the side of the road. I would put up a tent and a sign with racks of all of my clothing. I was literally hustling clothes out of my trunk, legally lol. At some point, I got discouraged because I hit a rough patch financially so I took a break and went back to working retail. I took on another Store Manager role and I did that for a little over a year until I decided to take a step down from the full responsibility of a Store Manager. I started at a new company as an Operations Manager. I was in a mall and there was a vacant space across the hall that I kept my eye on. During one of my breaks, I snuck downstairs to the mall office to inquire about it and in a nutshell, they told me I could have it. I stacked my paychecks for the next 3 months before walking out. 3 months later, I opened my first store front in that space across the hall. That’s my store today. I opened in April of this year.
This was just a short version of my story, but every bit of my story prepared me for where I am today. I learned resilience, patience, and hustle.
I know that what I’m doing now is preparing me for the next portion of my story. I’m just excited to see what’s next.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Support. When I say this, the problem isn’t finding it. It’s relying on it. I would ask for help from people that weren’t even offering to help. I failed to realize that I started this alone. No one hopped into this with me. So now I let the support come organically. My support system is full of people who I don’t have to reach out to. My support offers any type of assistance within their means. God has placed some amazing people in my life.
We’ve been impressed with N V O Clothing Co., 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?
N V O is a boutique offering women’s apparel. We offer alterations, personal styling, and vendor opportunities to other small businesses.
Our customer is alluring, confident, and fearless. She has couth and class. She is daring in her own right and isn’t afraid of a sultry look.
We cater to the confident ones. We help embrace the beauty of the ones without. N V O is a sisterhood. We want women to feel their best in every piece they leave with because when you look good, you feel good.
What does success mean to you?
Success is defined by resilience. I say this because entrepreneurship is a faith walk. Do you have the guts to walk through a tunnel without being able to see what’s on the other side? I recently started telling myself that consistent entrepreneurs never fail. Think about it. You can’t think of anyone who kept going that doesn’t have a success story. They were resilient. No matter what, they kept going. That’s what will determine whether you are successful or not. Your destiny is literally in your hands. God gives us options as we go along, but which will you choose? Are you going to stick it through that rough patch or are you going to “take a break” just to return and start over? Are you going to quit or keep going?
Pricing:
- Pop-Up Vendor Fee $100/weekend
- Local In-House Vendor Rent as low as $75/month
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.nvonow.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/nvo.commercial
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NVONOW
