We recently connected with Stephanie Amponsah and have shared our conversation below.
Stephanie, we’re thrilled to have you sharing your thoughts and lessons with our community. So, for folks who are at a stage in their life or career where they are trying to be more resilient, can you share where you get your resilience from?
My mother has always been a source of inspiration and resilience. In the toughest circumstances she never gave up and always showed such grace and encouragement to others.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
Yaa Chic is a mission-driven clothing and lifestyle brand that believes in the power of fashion to not only make people look and feel great but also to drive positive economic change. We sell unique, high-quality, on-trend, West African-inspired women’s clothing and accessories for everyday wear or special occasions. Our brand is inspired by purpose-driven women seeking to make a fashion statement. We offer a wide range of stylish and high-quality clothing and accessory items that are made using traditional West African textiles. We are committed to creating jobs by primarily employing West African women-owned manufactures, while using a percent of profits to support local and global initiatives in education and youth development. Yaa Chic is a brand made by women for women encouraging them to live bold in style and bold in purpose.
We just celebrated our three year anniversary and now customers in the DMV can shop and check out or merchandise in person. Yaa Chic recently partnered with Maryland Women’s Business Center, powered by The 3rd in downtown Columbia, MD by the lakefront. Customers can shop in person Tuesday through Sunday. And beginning February 3 customers can also shop our collection at Blank Slate located at the National Harbor in Prince George’s County. Finally, our latest collection launches this February 2024!
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
For me the most important qualities are developing and improving strategic thinking, having a strong network and flexibility. These skills are crucial for navigating the challenges and opportunities. I would suggest that entrepreneurs set clear goals and objectives that are both long and short term. Really understand your market by conducting market research to understand your target audience, competitors, industry trends, and market demands. Furthermore, developing a comprehensive business plan that outlines their model, KPI’s, value proposition, target market, marketing strategy, sales projections, and financial forecasts. Having goals and a plan helps me not to be reactive and ensure my decisions align with the long term business strategy. Improving flexibility requires you to cultivate a mindset of agility and adaptability and stay open-minded. Be receptive to new ideas, feedback, and alternative perspectives. Avoid becoming too rigid in your thinking. Additionally, prioritize the needs and preferences of your customers and be responsive to their feedback. Maintain open lines of communication to better understand their changing expectations and adapt your offerings accordingly. I suggest continuously learning and being adaptable. Entrepreneurs must stay informed about industry developments, emerging trends, and best practices through ongoing learning and professional development. Finally, grow your knowledge by growing your network. Surround yourself with mentors, advisors, and industry experts who can provide valuable insights and perspectives. Solicit feedback from customers, employees, and other stakeholders to gain diverse viewpoints.
By focusing on developing strategic thinking, fostering flexibility and growing your network early in their entrepreneurial journey, business owners can better position themselves to navigate uncertainty, seize opportunities, and achieve long-term success.
Okay, so before we go, is there anyone you’d like to shoutout for the role they’ve played in helping you develop the essential skills or overcome challenges along the way?
My mother has been incredibly helpful in teaching me how to overcome challenges and building the skills, qualities and mindset I need to succeed in business. I watched her lead two successful businesses. She taught me hard work and that life is a journey, not a destination. Even if I fail, I shouldn’t worry because there will be bigger victories. To her setbacks and failures were learning opportunities. She encouraged me to figure out what went wrong, identify lessons learned, and use this knowledge to improve my approach in the future. Yet, the most important lesson was to have faith in Jesus Christ. That God has a plan and purpose for my life and as I keep him first he will never fail me.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.yaachic.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yaachicstyle/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yaachicstyle
Image Credits
Akin, @akays.photography Nanayaw Mfoni, @nanayaw_mfoni
