Today we’d like to introduce you to Paris Smith.
Hi Paris, so excited to have you on the platform. So, before we get into questions about your work life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today.
My entrepreneur efforts began at Morgan State University. There I started modeling and designing, and running my e-commerce brand.
Which years later turned into my brand ” DESIRES by Saint Paris.” At DESIRES, Our core focus is capturing the essence of quality through streetwear while telling meaningful stories through the lenses of American Experiences.
The handcrafted timeless luxury garments will serve as a connection between what the experiences mean to me and what they could mean to the audience.
My main goal at DESIRES is to promote Freedom, Culture, and Education.
Recently we have gained a lot of notoriety for our HBCU Collaborations with entities such as Morgan State, Howard, and Hampton University.
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?
The obstacles and challenges are always relevant for someone like me who has bigger ambitions for myself as a business owner and a creative.
I would say its had peaks a valleys. Some of my everyday struggles include finding a steady well-rounded team, as well with finding the perfect manufactures and materials needed to produce luxury garments.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
As a college student, I studied Business Marketing, so I would say I specialize in marketing. Creative direction is also something that I’ve began to carve out a niche lane for myself. I also like to think of myself as a streetwear connoisseur, I am very aware of past, present, and upcoming trends for the future. With this ability, I am able to predict upcoming fashion styles and trends that may arise that can give me an edge as a creator.
I think the thing that sets me apart from others is also one of the things that I am most proud of. The thing that sets me apart is my ability to cross-market and tell stories. With cross-marketing, I am able to collaborate with bigger entities and brands that also connect with my brand’s core values. With storytelling, I am able to connect with people’s emotional responses and tie that to a product.
So, in essence, I am most proud of some of my brand collaborations at the moment.
Risk-taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
Risk-taking can make or break you as a business owner. I personally believe that risk-taking is the name of the game. In order to be successful, you have to view each move as risk or reward. I personally find myself constantly battling if something is truly worth the risk or not. Majority of start-up businesses initial risk always has to do with the monetary value of something. In the very beginning, I took many risk, which cost me a lot of money, however, the experience I was able to gain still helps me today.
A lot of my current risks include quantity control, determining how much of something to make has always been a big risk for me. The quantity also determines how much money you will spend monetarily. After the last few years of operating in business, I definitely see myself as a risk taker.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.desiresbysaint.com
- Instagram: _Saintparis
- Twitter: _Saintparis
Image Credits
Darnell Alexander Ellerbe
