Today we’d like to introduce you to Stephanie Amponsah.
Hi Stephanie, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
As a child, I frequently worked with my mother’s housekeeping business. As I cleaned with her on weekends and over summers, I learned about business—pricing, liability, customer service, and marketing among other things. I also saw how she was able to serve the community and other women through her efforts. Even though my mom had significant responsibilities with five children to raise she was intentional about helping other mothers.
She would make it a point to hire moms who needed opportunities and pay them well above minimum wage. Not that money wasn’t tight, but entrepreneurship afforded us a safe home, educational opportunities, and a sense of agency and self-reliance. It was also an example that through entrepreneurship you could help other women and families attain the same for themselves. As an adult, I see how formative the experience was and in 2021, I launched Yaa Chic to afford the same opportunities to other women.
When I first thought of the clothing line back in 2005, it was a way to share my culture and fashion with friends. They would often comment on the outfits that were made by my aunts and other dressmakers in Ghana. In 2018 one of my sorority sisters suggested that I start a business selling clothing I would design. She challenged me to work through my fears and to begin planning and held accountability meetings with me every week. As I began to plan what I wanted my brand to represent, I immediately thought about my family and friends. I realized much like my mother that these women were all using their God-given gifts in service to their communities.
They were executives, educators, public servants, engineers, lawyers, mothers, wives, sisters, homemakers, volunteers, mentors and much more. They are women living on purpose. I resolved that I wanted the brand to represent purpose-driven women – like my mother, friends, and the women she worked with—who used what they had not only for their benefit but for the wider community.
Furthermore, with several years of experience as a social worker and nonprofit executive, I wanted the Yaa Chic brand to be part of a social solution. I would leverage the power of fashion to not only make people look and feel great but also to create jobs and support local economies. Yaa Chic would invest a portion of our profits back into local and West African communities through initiatives that support job creation, mentorship, and education.
We would work directly with women-owned dressmakers in West Africa, and source high-quality , authentic materials and fabrics, while also incorporating modern design elements to appeal to a global audience. We wanted to give customers an unique shopping experience that lets them know that they’re making a social impact with each purchase. We’re creating a community of like-minded women living with purpose.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Being a fashion entrepreneur is incredibly rewarding, but it also comes with its share of challenges. Staying abreast of constantly changing fashion trends is crucial. During COVID, we were challenged with supply chain disruptions which impacted production schedules.
While we have an incredible community, building a recognizable brand in a crowded market takes time and consistent effort. Nonetheless, we believe in our vision and continually seek to innovate and build a strong community.
We’ve been impressed with Yaa Chic, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Yaa Chic was founded by Ghanaian-American entrepreneur Stephanie Amponsah. Yaa Chic is a socially conscious clothing and lifestyle brand that believes in the power of fashion to not only make people look and feel great but also to drive positive economic change.
We sell unique high-quality, ready-made contemporary West African-inspired women’s clothing and accessories for everyday wear or special occasions. Our brand is inspired by purpose-driven women seeking to make a bold statement in life and fashion. We are committed to creating jobs by primarily employing West African-owned manufacturers while using a percent of profits to support local and global initiatives in education and youth development.
When customers wear Yaa Chic, they wear a story. Yaa Chic is where fashion becomes a force for good, and every stitch tells a tale of empowerment. Customers can shop online at www.yaachic.com or local pop-up shops in the DMV area.
Before we go, is there anything else you can share with us?
Join our community by following us on Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest at @yaachicstyle.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.yaachic.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/yaachicstyle/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/yaachicstyle
Image Credits
Akin @akays.photography
