Meet Meghan Mccolley

We recently connected with Meghan Mccolley and have shared our conversation below.

Meghan, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?

From a young age, I’ve always been a creative, whether it was art, photography, fashion, or music. I love trying new things. That is so important when it comes to finding purpose. Through that, I’ve realized lots of fun skills I have. What’s neat about finding your skills is you get to see how they affect others, and there lies purpose. I love how art and fashion have a way of moving others and making them feel good. Today, I use that to help others!

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 a Latina business owner. I started Chicka & Co. in 2017, just after turning 20. I was (and still am) a full-time photographer who decided, “Hey, let’s sell clothes!”

Chica is Spanish for little girl, I added a “k” for the look and there became Chicka & Co. I am a proud Puerto Rican, so the name means a lot to me.

I was growing my business and realized I needed a space of my own. My bedroom at my parents wasn’t cutting it. In 2020, I got a pole building built to work out of. Now I was unstoppable. Machine after machine, new skill after new skill. Learning from failures and successes. Fast forward. The business is 7 years strong. I had started with buying and reselling, but today I have done a 180 and began making the majority of my items. I am a self-taught sewist and getting better every day! I’m very much known for my Tee-Maxi dresses, which are made from upcycled items. Also, my giant bows!

This company is, at its core, who I am. I love retro, groovy, and big colors. I love having items that are size-inclusive and fun. I hope it brings joy to people and shows them they can be anything they want to be.

If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?

I’ve owned a business since I was 18. I have learned a lot in the process. I am now 27. Some skills that were most impactful for me were creativity, determination, and confidence. Creativity is something every one of us have. It is a muscle we have to exercise to get better at. My field is very saturated, which means a lot of people do exactly what I do. I have to be creative to stand out! Determination. “A dream doesn’t become reality through magic; it takes sweat, determination, and hard work.” – Colin Powell. No matter what it is you do in life, if you have the determination to do it, you will. Confidence. Confidence is so needed in entrepreneurship. For decision-making, risk-taking, and staying positive!

All the wisdom you’ve shared today is sincerely appreciated. Before we go, can you tell us about the main challenge you are currently facing?

A current obstacle for me and so many others right now is a huge shift in how people are spending money. As am I, a lot of us are in tight spots financially. This has caused a lot of businesses, one I look up to, to shut their doors. It’s so sad. How I am trying to resolve this is what I talked about prior. I have switched to mostly handmade items! This allows me to be more creative and put a very unique spin on my brand. But also helps with my overhead costs and risk factors. I am also simply stubborn. I refuse to close. I am determined, and therefor I will succeed. A commonality I see in those who give up or are forced to stop is a lack of change. Change is scary. But it is necessary. If you don’t adapt, that good change can’t happen!

Contact Info:

Image Credits

I take all my photos, you can tag my photography business @chickaartistica and chickaartisticaphotography.com

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