Kimberly Clayton is your Spartan of the Week. The 28-year-old Communications major runs a clothing line, EmpressionZ, with her business partner, Karima Brown.
Their website, EmpressionZ.com, features a variety of crocheted clothing.
Check it out to see tops and bottoms for girls, swimsuits and a variety of accessories including purses and hats.
The Minaret (M): When did EmpressionZ start?
Kimberly Clayton (KC): It started a year ago. Myself and my business partner, Karima Brown, have been longtime friends since high school.
Last year we teamed up to make a clothing line called EmpressionZ because we used to help another friend of ours with her clothing line, because she crocheted.
We loved the business so much and crocheting so much so we decided to do it ourselves. We taught ourselves how to do it and just love everything about it.
M: And you just said to yourselves, hey, let’s make a business?
KC: Yeah, let’s make it a business! We love to do it, it makes money, people love it, so why not?
We don’t see ourselves doing anything else.
M: What does the name EmpressionZ stand for? Does it mean anything?
KC: That’s a really good question.
M: Thank you, I try.
KC: EmpressionZ is based on truth, love, unity and Ethiopia. It’s a combination of “Empress”and the “ionZ” is encrypted to mean Zion.
M: Does this coloring on your logo mean anything?
KC: The red, gold and green are the colors of Ethiopia, so it’s all about love and peace, like the words of Bob Marley.
M: Since EmpressionZ is run by two women and your slogan is, “Strength And Honour Are Her Clothing,” does that mean you don’t make male clothing?
KC: We do, we make male clothing. We don’t have as many designs because naturally, we’re women, but we do a lot of crowns for men.
We make Rastafarian designs, so we feature crowns and hats for men.
M: And you and your partner make all of this stuff yourselves?
KC: Yes, it’s just the two of us. A lot of people don’t believe that, but we do everything.
We do the designing, the PR, we work a lot on the website, EmpressionZ.com. We work very closely with a web designer.
M: What’s the future for you and EmpressionZ?
KC: Just going with the natural vibe of the clothing. We’ll just keep working, there is no end. Just continue to grow and spread love, peace and unity.
M: How do you like working for yourself?
KC: Working for myself has always been a desire of mine.
That’s one reason I chose to come to this school, because this is a business school.
Just being in this environment has helped my business tremendously.
M: What advice would you give to someone who wanted to start their own business?
KC: Have a mission. Second, is love what you do, and third is just do it. You got to start. If you never start, you’ll never know. Some people never start.
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