#HERstory2.0:
she is bold… she is ambitious… she is aware… she is a believer… she is a
dreamer… she is ME!
Circa 1991, a
typical day with my great grandma, Mama Julia, watching Price is Right and
eating her famous grits. I was only 8 years old and I knew it was time to clean
and play in Mama Julia’s costume jewelry. This was my favorite time of the week.
Every Tuesday was “pull out the goods” day and Mama Julia allowed me to play,
try on and take pictures of all my favorite accessories. This moment defines my
introduction to fashion and beauty and to this very day, I have my favorite
pieces from Mama Julia (RIP). To be totally honest with you, I had no idea that
I would end up being the co-founder and Chief Creative Officer (CCO) of Ethan
and Zoey, a fashion styling company, all I knew that I loved fashion. Back
then, fashion wasn’t as popular as it is today, I mean the Art Institute was
only in LA and Janet (my mom) wasn’t having me be across the United States
alone. I remember growing up wanting to be a dancer and if I would have kept at
it, I would probably be behind Beyoncé performing “Who Run the World.” Ok that
maybe a stretch but I always knew I was creative, had my own sense of style,
direction, pose and I needed to be heard in one way or another.
Who knew that God
would align my entrepreneurial spirit with my passion for fashion in creating a
company? Ethan and Zoey was established by Deidra Young and myself, officially
in July 2009. Thinking back on it, Deidra and I had the same exact idea and
vision to start this company individually, but God saw fit to merge us
together. We have had the pleasure in working for Macy’s, TJ Maxx and Marshall
and we most recently became fashion editors for a Charlotte based magazine
called, The Spread Magazine. I can say that the Fashion world isn’t an easy
profit, the ugly truth about fashion is that people want to look good but don’t
necessarily want to pay or pay a lot. But the beauty of fashion is those
clients who do love the results and give you that hug assuring a job well done.
I will never forget the smile of a client’s face at the end result of a photo
shoot. Beauty maybe only skin deep but a smile exudes happiness that can’t be
measured.
I am also an avid
volunteer in the community and in April 2013 I created a volunteer group,
Philanthropy Circle 365(PC Group 365), which recently (June 2014) became a
501c(3) organization. The bases for this non-profit is to develop a new trend –
“giving back is dope”. In a very short
time, I have had the honor to raise money for different charities by using my
skills of event planning and marketing. My very 1st event was a
kickball tournament that raised money for Miracle League, a baseball league for
special needs children, and we raised $2400. Currently, I am planning my next
event which is a gala to raise funds and awareness for Epilepsy Foundation.
Bottom line is, I
encourage anybody to do what they love, and I know it sounds easy but I promise
it so worth it. I have not accomplished all my goals, honestly I am still
adding things to my resume, but I am further than I ever could imagine and so
grateful that I took the first step, which is the hardest. I encourage anybody
who is reading this to take that step, with God’s permission, and enjoy the
journey along the way. It is nothing like climbing to the mountain top!!
Few encouraging
scriptures:
1 Peter 5:7
Proverbs 3:5-6
Psalm 55:22
Make sure you
follow my business(es) on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook
@ethanandzoey
@pcgroup365
@dearJania-
personal Instagram
XO
Jania Massey, MHA
