Meet Vanessa S., Ph.D. of RDU

Today we’d like to introduce you to Vanessa S., Ph.D.

Hi Vanessa, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for sharing your story with us – to start, maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers.
There are two sides to me; although they are separate, they are not very different.

The Business Woman:
I learned to sew when I was eight. I took the scrap fabric from the clothes that my mom made and used them to make doll clothing. As I got older, my sewing skills advanced, but the time I had to sew wavered because of life. I would sew a garment every few years. In 2017 I embarked on a sewing project that reminded me of how much I loved sewing, so it began. I re-started making garments for myself and saw a pattern for a tote bag. I love African fabric and immediately envisioned using the pattern with the fabric. I knew it would be bold and beautiful; I did not realize how much other people would like it. That one bag sparked the interest of many people, and I was making them as custom orders. After which, I started designing and making different styles and sizes. What is interesting to me is that when I began By Vanessa S. LLC., it was to sell the handmade jewelry I make with natural gemstones. However, the handbags were what increased the awareness of the brand.

The Entertainer:
Years ago, I worked as a radio personality for a gospel station. It was the midnight shift. I loved it. Playing music and talking to people on the radio, and sharing my views and thoughts were great. Fast forward to around 2004, I was invited to have a television talk show on the cable news network called “Seriously Speaking.” I loved it. I Interviewed some amazing people, including the city’s mayor at the time. It was then that I realized just how much I really liked the entertainment field, so in the present day, when the idea of starting a podcast came about, it did not take me long to sign on (pun intended), and I created The Handmade Mentor Podcast. A friend of mine likes to call me “Jackie,” like Jackie of all trades, because I have a lot of experience and have done a lot, making me a multi-crafter. The reason is that I like to explore. I am a forever student and a forever learner, so if it looks or sounds interesting to me, I will try it.

Alright, let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what challenges have you had to overcome?
When you are a small independent business, and your product is handmade, there is always a press to have inventory because there is nothing to sell if you don’t have inventory. Handmade items such as handbags take time, and I make them all myself, so I would have to take a hiatus to make a collection of bags to sell. I had to learn how to do this effectively. The other challenge was, of course, the pandemic. Because I had a cyber presence already when everything shut down, pivoting was not that difficult. However, it was still a challenge because of the role of algorithms in social media. It took more work to expand to a new customer base.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
By Vanessa, S. LLC. is a woman, minority, and veteran-owned small business born out of a passion for sewing and designing jewelry. Our handbags, jewelry, and accessories embrace our love for culture and awareness and provides the inspiration as  we aim to create unique pieces that reflect the beauty and diversity of the African continent. Our handbags are made using authentic African Ankara or Kente fabric, which infuses each bag with vibrant and stunning colors. Additionally, our jewelry pieces are crafted using natural gemstones and metals, adding an element of elegance and sophistication to any outfit. Each piece is carefully crafted with love and attention to detail, making them truly one-of-a-kind.

Before we go, can you talk to us about how people can work, collaborate, or support you?
Yes, there are several ways to support me; of course, visit the website and buy something beautiful, but also share the information, follow me on social media, like and subscribe to my YouTube channel, listen to the podcast, sign up for email distribution, all of these actions are supportive.  As far as collaboration, I am always looking for guests for The Handmade Mentor Podcast as well as content creators for our digital media.  Lastly, I want to add that I have also just released my new book Grant Writing Basics and Beyond, so, if you are interested in learning how to write grant proposals, order a copy. It’s on Amazon exclusively.

Contact Info:

• Website:www.byvanessas.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/by_vanessa_s/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCfPwsTpLJG3y1gjWdiCT9Bw
• The Podcast: www.thehandmadementor.com
• Book:  Grant Writing Basics & Beyond

Image Credits
Jerome White – Jays Action Photography, VSONeal – The Handmade Mentor