Whether you’re an aspiring designer yourself or just a fashion-lover that wants to know the musings of one of fashion’s most popular, keep reading for Sorojah’s take on our questions about Fashion, Business, and Personal!
I am a 24-year-old full-time mom working from home for my small business as a fashion designer. I started my brand Sorojah Design Haus as my outlet to connect my passion to my career, to be a designer was always a dream of mine. Fashion was a big part of my childhood, growing up in a single-parent household there weren’t many activities to do outside of home or school with my mother always being at work. I became obsessed with playing with my Bratz dolls, dressing them to be exact. I would host small “fashion shows” with friends in my neighborhood and pretend they were strutting the runway in my pieces. My late great grandmother taught me how to hand stitch as a little girl, we would sew pillows together. That is when I discovered how to create something to my liking just by using the right fabric. I grew up in West palm beach, FL, and eventually moved to Rhode Island to start high school.
”Designing and styling was always my way out of feeling poverty-stricken, I was able to make the most out of my confidence just by what I was wearing.”
My curiosity for the industry became stronger as I grew older, I went to a private high school that focused solely on the students’ career vs academics. It gave me the chance to indulge in every aspect of fashion as my career. I was an intern for a local fashion designer (Queen of hearts) in RI. I attended Teen Vogue’s fashion university for online fashion bloggers (I ran a fashion blog at the time), took 12+ art RISD courses as an HS student, and took sewing classes to better my skills. After high school, I moved to Los Angeles and attended the Academy Of Arts for Fashion marketing, which pushed me further into my career in fashion. I knew if I combined my passion with my skills I could eventually profit from doing what I love, 2 years later here we are!
What do you love about being a fashion designer?
I love having the opportunity to express my creativity through different textures and fabrics. I love being able to contribute to one’s confidence, and helping others feel empowered through my pieces. It is my passion, nothing makes me feel happier to do what I love every day. It is a very detailed career choice but it is something I have felt drawn to since I was little. Designing is what makes me feel like my most authentic self, I feel most in my power when I create.
According to you, what are the skills that are necessary for becoming a successful fashion designer?
I think having both a detailed and quality vision is a necessary skill. Knowing how to fabric scout for your theme, and keeping a business mindset. It’s important to make room to learn! I’ve grown to understand that I am constantly learning in this industry. Pattern making, cutting + sewing, and basic computer skills are a huge plus. Fashion illustration can help you organize a design before you create it so there is less room for mistakes whether you’re sketching on pad and paper or using designing software. A successful fashion designer is a confident one, if you believe in your product then the right audience will believe in it too.
What is a skill you think all women should learn and why?
Having a hustler mentality! I’ve gone through things that have taught me how important it is to not rely on anyone but YOURSELF. Growing up my father lived in the UK while my mother took care of the household on her own all while working a full-time job, the epitome of I’ll do it myself! That has stuck with me. Take pride in being independent! Whether you are committed to someone, or its family helping you. You came here with your own path and purpose, never expect others to take you to your destination in life only you can do that! You can let others help, but have your own!
How do you stay motivated?
One of my favorite quotes “Visualize your highest self, then start showing up as her” -Unknown.
Nothing motivates me more than having a little one, I get up in the morning with every reason to keep going the moment I see my son!
In other ways I’ve replaced pessimism with optimism, I’ve replaced fear with faith, reading motivational books consistently, watching billionaire interviews, creating mood boards, you name it! I also create a monthly personal and business goal for myself, it helps me focus on my desires while expressing my gratitude. The understanding of how manifestation works has motivated me to do all things that align with what I desire to attain in my reality.
How do you start your day?
Firstly, I wake up and thank GOD with prayer! I then get both myself and my little one ready for the day while listening to Jason Stephenson’s “I AM” affirmations. I like to eat something very light before I go for a morning run. I jog every other morning specifically in nature, it’s always been a strict part of my routine. Once I return home in time before my husband leaves for work I have my actual breakfast and write in my gratitude journal. Some days I wake up and do yoga and meditate afterward. It’s important to take care of your health, whether mental and or physical. I’ve always loved doing things that can help me be better. Your body is your machine, your mind is your magnet, treat them well!
After my morning routine, I go to work in my home office and start with my list of tasks for the day and go on from there.
Who has been your own biggest mentor and what is the best advice they have ever given you?
My longtime friend turned mentor Samson who owns a manufacturing company! I’ve known him before his success and he has given me many pieces of advice that has stuck with me, I’ll list a few:
- Never give up on your dreams.
- Surround yourself with people who are of a higher status than you, you cannot acquire the knowledge of success from peers who have not been where you are trying to go.
- Read! You should always be a sponge for knowledge, never stop learning.
- Lastly, there is no right or wrong, do only what you think is for your highest good.
I literally have these written down! Grateful to have him as a mentor.
My mom is also a big spiritual mentor of mine, she’s my reminder to stay grounded as I expand in life.
Busy startup entrepreneurs have lots of demands on their time and are often pulled in lots of different directions, do you have any tips for effective time management and what to focus on first?
“Do not dwell on the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present.” – Buddha
Creating a daily list of tasks and checking them off as you go can help you organize. If you are starting up your business try to handle all of your legal duties before anything, that is something I had to learn the hard way. Registering your business name, Seller’s Permit, Business bank accounts, etc. Research your target audience, market your company/brand with a theme that is eye-catching and unique, and as cliche as it sounds try not to take on too many projects at once. If you feel stuck on something while working, move onto something else until you are ready, this will leave no room for procrastination. Also do not focus on your sales! When you start a new business venture it’s very easy to get discouraged when you don’t see a fast flow of sales for what you are selling, understand that it takes time. You will eventually profit from sales, but do not let that stop your consistency, work on your craft in the meantime and things will fall into place little by little!
What tips do you have for those who want to renew their life as in a new job, moving, etc?
Renewing is exciting! I think it’s important that you always focus on your main goal at hand and know why you are making this big change, do everything for your greatest good. Cancel out all things that do not serve you whether it is toxic friends, a toxic environment, or negative people! Renewing something in life is a chance to have a fresh start that will help clear your path, don’t look back to your past to validate your mistakes! I also think something that has helped me is to not fear the judgment of others, you are here to live life for you and no one else. You don’t owe anyone anything besides being the best version of yourself. Lastly, have a plan, and a backup plan.
How do you improve your financial knowledge?
Listening to financial podcasts while driving, Budgeting, balancing my personal and business expenses, and talking to a financial professional! There are many ways to improve your financial knowledge. I have learned that money is energy, it’s all about the frequency you vibrate on a daily basis. I carry a pyrite crystal in my wallet to attract money and abundance, and saying money mantras daily! There are many videos on Youtube that help improve your financial knowledge such as Financial Times, MoneyTalks News, The Financial Diet, and Ryan Scribner to name a few. I take at least 3 hours out of my work week to improve my financial knowledge consistently, it really helps!
Tell us about your proudest achievement?
Having the courage to start my business doing what I love and turning it into my career is one of my proudest achievements while being a full time mom. I am proud of myself for upholding the standard of working only for myself. I’ve worked 9-5’s most of my life and I am now able to set the value of my work to my liking and profit from it. This is only the beginning and it’s such a beautiful start, I’m honored to have my first interview with @Womenontopp.
And to anyone reading, You are solid just as you are, do whatever makes YOU happy!
![From Music to Perfume: How did your background as a music teacher influence your transition into perfumery, and how do you incorporate your musical sensibilities into creating fragrances? I’ve always thought in terms of metaphors, and music has many that can be related to perfumery! Beyond just thinking in terms of top, middle and base notes [soprano/alto/tenor in choir], I approach each fragrant idea as a composition. When documenting my ideas, song structures often come to mind. As the scent brief is visited, I meditate on what the fragrance should convey - do I want to create an accord or a “chord” of fragrance note combinations? Do I want an a capella soloist (a particular ingredient to stand out more than others?) Many of my thoughts regarding song composition transfers to my scent formulation process, with me treating each note as an intentional soliloquy at some point.
Brand Origin: What inspired you to start Pink MahogHany in 2005, and how has your vision for the brand evolved since its inception?
An avid lover of all things pleasantly scented (with slight modesty), looking back in retrospect, it’s no huge surprise that I’ve created an indie perfume house with just an idea to provide unique options for those who may be sensitive to unnecessary pungency. Initially, I just wanted to evaluate various blends to note their aroma profiles when “played” together…it wasn’t until I had friends and family asking if I knew of brands that catered to those who may be on the more olfactory sensitive side, that I really began to take my research more seriously. In the almost 20 years that Pink MahogHany has been in existence, our micro visions for the brand have evolved to larger territory. Where Pink MahogHany used to only be a personal brand, we are now also a bespoke formulation service provider to other indie brands seeking unique fragrance offerings for their products. These products range from (but are not limited to) perfumes, candles, body butters and lip balms. Ingredient Transparency: You emphasize transparency and the use of desirable ingredients in your products. How do you select your ingredients, and what challenges have you faced in maintaining this standard?
Being an indie brand often comes with a set of assumptions and misconceptions - one of them being more negative than positive as it relates to ingredients used. There is a lot of “fluff” in the industry with labeling falsification. Because fragrance formulas are a trade secret, not every molecular breakdown of a material has to be noted on the ingredient label (it would be incredibly long), but we at Pink MahogHany™️ adhere strongly to the IFRA [International Fragrance Regulatory Association] regulations that state for common and potential allergens to be listed on our ingredient label. We’ve taken this a step further to also include these ingredients listed on our website to promote further transparency, all while protecting our intellectual property. Unfortunately, we’ve had companies to unethically sell lesser expensive “dupes” of our artisan perfumes, so as a way to create a better authenticity stamp, we make it our duty to be honest about our claims. If our perfume says “Rose Bulgaria”, it is in fact just that and not a component of rose being passed off as the source material. Collaborations and Custom Scents: Can you share more about your work with private label clients? What excites you most about creating custom scent solutions for other indie brands? I could easily sum this up in one word and say “Funding.” True, there is money out there, but I’m always thinking outside the box. Having a program that has an “Each One Fund One” mentality doesn’t exist (that I’ve been made aware of). Bootstrapping can be quite the challenge, even when you’ve reached the 6-figure mark annually. Competition to be seen and set apart is extremely high, so having quality packaging and branding is a must. There are lots of factors to consider, though when desiring to make upgrades. If there were a unique, tier-geared funding operation available, it would help perfume brands offset packaging and bulk material costs in the beginning stages.
Industry Challenges: What are some of the biggest challenges you've faced as an independent fragrance house, and how have you overcome them to grow your brand? As the brand continues on the path of organic growth, I would like to expand our reach into schools, offering perfumery as an arts elective for middle and high school. I’d love to partner with botanists, farmers and horticulturists directly to grow and source raw materials for the students to work with in the creation of tinctures. My passion is getting back to nature as best as possible, as nature was my first “scent experience” as a child. We would also love to witness our fragrance creations being used to scent model homes, our focus diffuser blends being used in automobile dealerships as well as partner with Air Bnb and boutique hotels that specialize in highlighting minority, indie brands. Personal Journey: How has your personal experience, particularly as a divorced mother and someone who has experienced the loss of a child, shaped your approach to life and your work in perfumery?
Because I homeschool my twin sons, we are together a lot more than most, so one thing we all do is have moments of sharing where a neutral “floor” is laid to converse about anything. Though they are quite communicative by nature, I realize that sometimes I can be in work mode so much that it spills over into what should be our quality time. My sons see the authentic me and learn how to communicate through seeing authenticity. I’ve learned not to feel as if I have to be the epitome of perfection but allow them to see my imperfections vulnerably but with discernment. Having had two traumatic experiences pretty close together has taught me how to truly slow down and enjoy the simplicities of life - igniting a spiritual aspect that I’ve always carried but never fully explored…until Kenji’s sudden passing (2018.) Grief has a way of catapulting us into a quest for more meaningfulness in both life and business. After Kenji’s passing and my processing through the initial stages of grief, I was able to incorporate our spiritual bond into Pink MahogHany by way of essential oil diffuser blends for both focus and sleep and most recently aromatic perfume elixirs. It’s been quite the process channeling the void of his physical presence, but I also have peace knowing he can be honored in a great way through scent. I noticed once I began to be more open and receptive to spiritual signs, synchs and “winks”, more ideas began to flow. It’s been this way since his transition. Emotional Expression: Fragrance is often tied to memories and emotions. How does your personal life influence the fragrances you create, and do you have a particular scent that holds special meaning to you? My creative process is much more alchemic now, and I include Kenji by talking out loud to him, believe it or not. I’m a firm believer that when our loved ones transition from the physical plane, they are still present - just in another form. I choose to keep his memory alive by not pretending he never existed (even if for a brief period of time). I am working (slowly) on a book and accompanying fragrance, but I know it will require me to revisit some memories I’m not quite ready for, so until then, his big brothers will launch their debut fragrance, The Peaceful Tiger (they chose the name.) I’ve learned that even in what we consider “small things”, our transitioned loved ones want to be recognized and acknowledged. When the twins and I designed their fragrance label (with a designer out of the country that didn’t know anything about me personally), we had issues with the graphic - so much so that the designer asked if they could rework the design. When they sent the proof for approval, the Tiger was not only younger but sleeping, with an uncanny, angelic resemblance to baby Kenji! Becoming more aware and being more sensitive to my intention for launching a fragrance has definitely made room for more divine situations like these to occur. Healing Through Scent: In what ways has creating fragrances been a form of healing or expression for you, especially after the loss of your son, Kenji Mwamba? I know my sons may not necessarily want to be perfumers, but they definitely have an entrepreneurial heart. My desire is that whatever they decide to pursue (acting, script-writing, music or architecture), they know that anything is possible with the right amount of determination, grit, belief and immersion. One reason I chose to homeschool is so they could enjoy learning without restraint and have ample time to devote to their own separate passions and it still be fun. They know Pink MahogHany is theirs if they want it (many, many years from now - lol), and we are already discussing business structures for whatever they choose their role to be once I retire. Work-Life Balance: How do you find balance between your professional responsibilities and personal well-being, and what self-care practices do you prioritize? I’m not just a perfumer; I’m also a consumer, and self-care is huge for me. I often take salt baths to reset my energy and clear my mind after being around large groups of people or free a long day. I’m a habitual perfume sampler, and I have so many to choose from to wear as my “nightcap.” Even if just for 10-15 minutes, I cherish each moment I’m able to have some “me-time.” When time and co-parenting schedules permit, I’m definitely on a flight somewhere to indulge in some delicious food and mouth-watering mocktails!](https://www.womenontopp.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/IMG_3812-1200x720.jpeg)
Join the discussion!