Few entrepreneurs can say Ebony magazine featured them as one of the US's "Top 30 under 30
business leaders". Above that, fewer can say that and be dealing with fabulous urban and
contemporary clothing. However, Urb1 found someone who accomplished both feats with more
merits in her history. Read our i-view with one of today's successful entrepreneurs, who's
store provides wardrobe to celebs on call.
( URB1 )
LETS START OFF BY LETTING YOU INTRODUCE YOURSELF. GIVE YOUR NAME, BUSINESS NAME, AGE, AND
WHATEVER OTHER PERSONAL INFORMATION YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE WITH THE URB1 COMMUNITY...
( FABULOUS APPAREL )
My name is Arian Reed. At 23 years of age, I run my own clothing store Fabulous Apparel.
( URB1 )
BEING AS YOUNG AS YOU ARE, DO YOU FEEL THERE WERE A LOT MORE HARDSHIPS BECAUSE PEOPLE DIDN'T
SEE YOUR VISION AND BELIEVE IN YOUR SUCCESS?
( FABULOUS APPAREL )
Of course there are always those who do not believe, but I do not think that this is a
reflection of my age. People who believed in my success and saw the vision did this
regardless of an age.
( URB1 )
I NOTICED YOU HAVE EXCESSIVE DEGREES AND PAPER WORK FROM YOUR COLLEGE DAYS. DID YOU HAVE THE
DRIVE TO DO ALL THIS BEFORE COLLEGE? DO YOU FEEL YOU COULD HAVE DONE ALL THIS WITHOUT COLLEGE?
AND WHAT'S SOME KEY COURSES YOU TOOK ON DURING COLLEGE?
( FABULOUS APPAREL )
Of course you can be an entrepreneur with out going to school. I used the material from school
and applied it to my company. The courses that I gained the most knowledge to apply to my
business were, Marketing Courses, Strategic Planning,and Investments.
( URB1 )
WHEN YOU FIRST OPENED YOUR STORE, WHO DID THE DESIGNING AND LAYOUT OF IT? AND DID IT MEET YOUR
EXPECTATIONS? AND IF YOU DID IT YOURSELF, I KNOW THERE HAD TO BE A FEW BLOOPERS THAT HAPPENED
THAT YOU CAN SHARE. YOU DIDN'T FALL OFF A LADDER AND BUST YOUR BUTT DID YOU? *LAUGHING*
( FABULOUS APPAREL )
When I first got the store together, it was truly an adventure, me and my friends did
everything from scratch, such as build a wall, dressing rooms, put down the carpet, dry wall,
etc. I learned a lot about carpentry.
( URB1 )
WHEN DO YOU FEEL YOUR FIRST BIG BREAK CAME WITH THE STORE BUSINESS? AND ALSO, WHAT'S THE
PROUDEST MOMENT YOU'VE HAD IN BUSINESS SINCE OPENING FABULOUS APPAREL?
( FABULOUS APPAREL )
To be truthful the first day was the proudest moment and the biggest break, just to see my
childhood dream come to life was amazing. There was an overwhelming turn out, and the amount of
money made in one day was enough to pay the bills for the next two months.
( URB1 )
WHAT CELEBRITIES HAVE SHOPPED WITH YOUR STORE OR GET PROVIDED WITH CLOTHING THROUGH YOUR
STORE? IS THERE ANY FAVORITE BRANDS OR STYLES THAT THEY SEEM TO CHOOSE A LOT?
( FABULOUS APPAREL )
Free from 106 & Park, Oprah, and Vivica Fox have worn product that was in the store. Meagan
Good has shopped inside the actual store. Anything that is the trend for the season is what
they have liked.
( URB1 )
I SEE JAJUAN MICHAEL IS IN YOUR STORE AND BREEZING THROUGH URB1, IS THERE ANY OTHER LINES ON
URB1 THAT HAVE ALREADY MET THE STANDARDS OF BEING ACCEPTED BY YOUR STORE?
( FABULOUS APPAREL )
We carry a plethora of urban lines: akademiks, azzure, indigo red, parasuco, baby phat,etc,
couture lines, and a lot of club wear as well.
( URB1 )
YOU EXPANDED TO A COMPLETE ONLINE STORE EARLIER THIS YEAR BY ADDING SHOPPING CART TO YOUR
CATALOGUE, BUT RUMORS HAVE IT YOU'RE EXPANDING MORE THAN THAT. IS IT TRUE YOU ARE BECOMING A
FRANCHISE NOW? IF SO, WHAT METROPOLITAN AREAS DO YOU WANT FABULOUS APPAREL TO BE MADE AVAILABLE
IN? WOULD IT BE SPECIAL FOR YOU TO LAUNCH A STORE IN YOUR HOME TOWN, DETROIT, MICHIGAN?
( FABULOUS APPAREL )
It would be special to see my business in my home town. Yes I am franchising and I have a major
franchise consulting firm on the project. The first targeted cities are Houston, DC, Detroit,
and Chicago.
( URB1 )
NOW JUST SOME WISE WORDS FROM A PERSON WHO'S DOING THE DAMN THING... WHAT WOULD YOU SAY TO
ALL THE PEOPLE OUT THERE TRYING TO ACCOMPLISH SUCCESS IN LIFE AS YOU HAVE?
( FABULOUS APPAREL )
Persistence and hardwork always pays off, God will not let honest hard work go unrewarded. I
have been through been hard times, to get where I am at today. When people see me they always
think that I have it made. I have been through some trying situations, between losing a place
to stay, checking into shelters, the whole nine, but God has truly blessed me. Also some people
are not willing to put in the hours and do the work to reap the success. Like Puffy always says
that when people are sleeping he is working, and Russell always says there is nothing different
between him and the next man other than he stayed working an extra 10 minutes longer. I have
accomplished plenty but I am still building an empire.
( URB1 )
AIGHT LETS WRAP THIS UP ARIAN. THANKS FOR HITTING URB1 UP NO DOUBT. IT WAS REALLY GREAT TO
EVEN GET RECOGNIZED BY FABULOUS APPAREL. ANYTHING THAT WE MISSED YOU WANT TO COVER IN THIS
INTERVIEW? YOU KNOW WE GOT LIKE A 10 QUESTION MAXIMUM HERE BECAUSE WE GOT SOME PEOPLE ON THE
SITE WHO'S ATTENTION GETS TAKEN AWAY BY SOMEBODY IN THE BACKGROUND YELLING "I NEED THE PHONE
LINE". *LAUGHING*
( FABULOUS APPAREL )
YOU MUST CHECK OUT MY NEW BUSINESS, I built a marketing company in less than two months,
www.arprmarketing.com for more
information. I implore you to check out the site.
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