We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Janessa Marie Smith. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Janessa Marie below.
Janessa Marie, thank you so much for joining us. You are such a positive person and it’s something we really admire and so we wanted to start by asking you where you think your optimism comes from?
My optimism comes from the Lord! I have been through so much in my short 23 years. Throughout it all I have remained hopeful when life has given me a million reasons to be hopeless. My experiences have proved to me that no matter how hard life, circumstances, work, relationships, family issues, financial stressors, (the list goes on and on) God always shows up and out in the end. I am never left without, even if it’s really close to being that way. After every hardship I leave the situation wiser and with a new perspective to help me navigate the future ahead of me. I think it is really easy to feed into the negativity that life throws at you and its even easier to get stuck there. When I am facing something really difficult I rest in the Lord and remember the promises he has made me. I take my next step forward and take things day by day. Looking back on my life it’s hard to not see the amazing strength and wisdom that has been gained from each trial, and I focus on that.
I have been really blessed with the innate ability to see the glass half full.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I am the owner and designer of a clothing brand called Let Them Know. My brand is focused on creating quality and cozy clothing that includes unique wearable art centered on the Gospel and the human experience. I have had my brand for almost four years now and Im so grateful that I have been able to grow alongside it. The way my brand has the ability to spark up conversation is really cool to see. Connection with others is super important to me and if I have to chance to foster a great convo or even spark a relationship because of clothing that caught someone’s eye, I’m here for it! One of my favorite pieces that I have done is the handpainted 1 of 1 “How are you really?” tees. There was only one green and one orange made. I love those tees because it touches on an important topic. I think when someone asks how were doing, we say good, almost as a reflex without actually considering how we are truly doing. It can be really scary to be vulnerable. You never know by being honest you can help others or allow someone to help you in a way you never imagined.
This current season of life with Let Them Know has been full of brainstorming and expansion. I am thinking bigger and bolder than ever and am working really hard to bring these ideas to fruition! Expect to see more from us in the next year!
I am really excited for this winter season and the drops that are planned! The first collection has 7 pieces!!!! This is the most that I have ever came out with at once. This collection contains a design that nods to the first design I have ever published on my very first website. The other design is inspired by the bible verse Isaiah 40:31. I am STOKED for everyone to get their hands on these items. Stay tuned!!!
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
This is a really great question! Looking back on my journey I believe the three qualities that were most impactful in my journey are initiative, creativity, and seeing the bigger picture!
I was in college during covid when I began LTK. I could’ve waited until I graduated and was more prepared, but I am so grateful I didn’t. I had NO idea how to run a business, and if I’m being honest I learn more about it everyday! I took initiative to just figure it out without waiting for a “perfect” time that would never come. I was 19 with a big dream and I did what I could with what I had. Which brings me to my next point… creativity! I went from living in a dorm room, moving home once school shutdown, to living on my own in my college town. I paid for my bills, worked a job and went to school. I eventually left school and continued working and living on my own. I made no excuses and became really creative with how I went about things. I had no access to or money for screen printing so I would paint my drawings on hoodies I thrifted or got from Walmart or Michaels. Then i discovered bulk ordering online and would buy gildan or jerzees hoodies. I got smarter with my process of painting and reworking and would create my own stencils for spray painting. I used manilla folders for everything! lol. I created my first website with spread shirt and would do print on demand because I had no money for inventory. GET CREATIVE!
The next point I would like to touch on is focusing on the bigger picture!!!!! This helped me immensely! I wanted to start at 19 in college because I would have more time to fail and mess up but equally more time to learn and develop a strong brand. 4 years in and I’m way further than when I started but I’m not where I want to be yet. I focused on where I wanted to be and not where I was, I used the tools around me to help me get one step closer to the end goal. I think it has been going good so far :).
in short:
The advice I have for folks early in their journey is to GET CREATIVE! throw out all excuses, they don’t exist! Think of new ways to use the materials you have access to, be innovative, it is possible! If you are waiting for the perfect golden hour to begin, you will be waiting forever, take initiative create the time to do whatever it is you’ve been putting off, and keep one foot in front of the other. Lastly, keep your goals in mind and PRIORITIZE them. Focus on where you want to be and visualize that, pray about that. Basically, try to get at least 1% better than the day before. It all adds up. 🙂
And lastly, be comfortable failing, because it happens…. a lot!
Who has been most helpful in helping you overcome challenges or build and develop the essential skills, qualities or knowledge you needed to be successful?
My parents, grandparents and my husband.
Since a really young age my parents and grandparents have always believed in me. They have poured their love, time and attention all over me and my passions. They have blessed me by always being super supportive of me and what I am interested in. I truly think that their words of encouragement and presence on the days when I needed it the most have helped propel me to where I am. I have taken qualities that each of them possess and implemented them into my own life. I look up to each of them for many different reasons and I am so grateful to have the family that I do.
My husband has really helped me refine my craft and brand identity. He has pushed me to be more focused and organized in all aspects of life but especially business related. I am really grateful for him pushing me during the times I have been plateaued.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.shopletthemknow.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/shopletthemknow
- Other: personal: insta @janessamariesmith
tiktok @nessaletthemknow
Image Credits
Janessa smith
