Today we’d like to introduce you to Lizzy Maina
Lizzy, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
A few years ago, while on a lunch break, I walked into a Bank of America in Dallas, Texas, to complete a quick transaction. The banker assisting me complimented me on my outfit and my style and we immediately struck a conversation. As we were chatting, he inquired about my profession and whether I was part of the fashion industry, given my unique ensemble. With little experience but full of confidence, I introduced myself as a fashion stylist—a lifelong aspiration of mine then. “Wow, that title sounded so cool,” I thought to myself. Our conversation delved deeper into fashion and style, and I learned that he was a fashion designer. As fate would have it, he and his partner needed a stylist for their upcoming runway show the following weekend in which they were debuting their new clothing line. It felt like destiny was calling and I had to answer.
Despite my lack of experience on the runway, I embraced the opportunity he offered, motivated by Sir Richard Branson’s advice: “If someone offers you an amazing opportunity and you’re not sure you can do it, say YES—then learn how to do it later.” After exchanging contact information, I landed my first job as a fashion stylist at his event which later led to more engagements in styling. That fleeting meeting was a pivotal moment that redirected my career in the fashion industry. It opened doors for me to expand my portfolio; I took on roles as a contributing editor for various Fashion and Lifestyle magazines in the U.S., Europe, and Africa. I’ve been fortunate to work alongside designers and photographers, learn from other stylists, and gain experience in high-end boutiques in Dallas. Today, I stand as the proud founder of my own e-commerce fashion boutique, Thee Style Domain-Fashion.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I can most certainly say without a doubt that the journey hasn’t been a breeze. But as they say, no guts, no glory! The fashion industry is not all glitz and glamor, the caveat is that it can be extremely shrewd, competitive and requires one to have a level of resilience, commitment, and willingness to be adaptable. It is definitely not for the faint of heart. However, if you truly love and enjoy what you do, you somehow garner the knowledge, skills and strength required to plow through the challenges.
I had no prior experience running an e-commerce venture, therefore undertaking this risk came with its fair share of hurdles. Some of the struggles faced in the past included sourcing quality products, vetting credible vendors and suppliers and of course wearing multiple hats as a solopreneur. What I thought were challenges turned out to be great lessons in disguise which have now allowed me to acquire the fundamental skills required to confidently run a structured and profitable business. It is a never-ending journey of self-development and self-discovery. I love it!
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
I often say that by day, I am a Banker and Finance Professional, and by night, a woman deeply immersed in the world of Fashion. Besides this, I’m well known for my insatiable appetite and love for thigh high boots and overall, for my free-spirited personality.
I take great pride in being the founder of THEE STYLE DOMAIN, a fashion boutique that offers fun, chic, and fabulous budget-friendly pieces for the dynamic woman. The idea to launch an online boutique stemmed from my frustration of not finding unique, bold, and stylish pieces that resonated with my personal style and that were affordable. The boutique was therefore established to fill a distinct market niche, serving a community of women who appreciate unique and bold fashion styles. We specialize in carrying pieces that are designed to empower our customers, inspiring them to tap in and express their inner fierce, celebrate their beauty and individuality and take pride in what sets them apart from the crowd.
The e-commerce business concept started to materialize in 2019. However, with the onset of the Covid-19 Pandemic the following year paused all my plans as the world came to a complete standstill. During this uncertain time, I noticed a global trend: people were embracing their talents, exploring their artistic sides, leveraging and monetizing their creativity, leading to a surge in online businesses and a spike in online shopping. Seizing this opportunity, I gathered my resources and officially launched the boutique in April 2020. It has been an incredible journey so far, and we take pride in knowing that our business transcends the products and services we provide. We honor the authentic relationships fostered during transactions and the natural rapport established with our customers. Some of whom have become like family. Moreover, knowing that we’ve offered a product or service that meets a customer’s need affordably is extremely rewarding!
As we continue to grow and deepen our understanding with the ins and outs of the business, our goal is to reinvest back into the community. We aim to educate, empower, and provide other women with the essential skills and knowledge required to run a boutique, thereby fostering their economic advancement.
Alright so before we go can you talk to us a bit about how people can work with you, collaborate with you or support you?
I am sending an open invitation to all. Come visit us and shop on our website, WWW.THEESTYLEDOMAIN.COM. We hope to build a community of people who identify and or resonate with our brand. I am always open to new and exciting opportunities! I would love to learn from and collaborate with other creatives and brands. Please feel free to reach out. I’m an email or DM away on the socials.
Pricing:
- pricing Up to a maximum of $200
Contact Info:
- Website: https://WWW.THEESTYLEDOMAIN.COM
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theestyledomain/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/THEESTYLEDOMAIN/
