Meet Heather Mitchell

We had the good fortune of connecting with Heather Mitchell and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Heather, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
Background and Motivation—

The idea behind my brand, Brea, was born from my decade-long experience in the fashion industry, working with both mass-market retailers and luxury brands. Over time, I realized my passion for creating my own company, leveraging my understanding of the business’s operational and creative aspects. After moving to Los Angeles, I was inspired by the city’s entrepreneurial spirit, the abundance of local vendors, and my dissatisfaction with my 9-to-5 job.

Brand Vision and Products—

As I laid the groundwork for my brand, I envisioned a diverse range of products. However, I realized the need to establish a distinct identity in a saturated market, so I decided to focus initially on women’s knit dresses. This choice wasn’t just a strategic decision but stemmed from my deep love for knitwear and my expertise in this area from my career in the industry.
My brand is centered on providing high-quality everyday essentials that can be worn seasonally day or night. Fabrics particularly geek me, and I’m meticulous about understanding their manufacturing process, content, and attributes. Brea offers dresses made from top-quality fabrics, such as our Siro Tencel Interlock Fabric, which I fell in love with because of the compact stretch, making it supportive for your curves, and the feel is so smooth. I initially started with development with our Soft Stretch Jersey, another amazing fabric with different attributes— lightweight, ultra-stretchy, and brushed making it so soft. I’m committed to incorporating fabrics that serve different purposes and meet high standards.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
Career Journey and Achievements—

My career is my biggest accomplishment, and that’s because of how hard I worked for it and how I never gave up when times got tough. I’ve always wanted to be in a job I enjoyed. I’ve always been strategic in my career; one opportunity led to the next. I lived on my own since I was seventeen. After I graduated high school and started college, I got a job at an upscale, high-volume beauty salon. I was excited because I love beauty. In less than a year, I was promoted to manager. Not only did I manage the staff scheduling, but I also had the opportunity to work with distributors and place product orders for the salon. This experience was the segue into what would later start my fashion career.

After being at the salon for three years, I wanted to work in an office environment so that when I finished my bachelor’s in Fashion Merchandising, I would have some office experience. I got a job as a receptionist at a Chinese telecommunication company, but I evolved that position into administration and HR work. I took that role because fashion is international, and having diverse working experience on my resume would be good. I finally graduated at twenty-four, and with all my full-time work experience and degree under my belt, I was still having difficulty finding a job in the industry. Living in the Washington, DC area, most jobs I was applying for were out of state, so that was another reason it was hard, as I would need to relocate.

After a year of non-stop applying and interviewing, I finally landed a job through networking with strangers. I landed my job at a major retailer in San Francisco as a Buyer for the Chinese market. I knew this job wouldn’t come easy since math was never my favorite subject, but I’d have to figure it out because this was my way in the industry. Over time, I learned to be good at this job and was promoted to the US market because of my strategic abilities and great mentors. I later made a career change to product development so I could work hands-on with the product. I brought a new way of thinking to my product development team with my financial background, and I navigated that role fast. After working for a company I loved for eight years, I realized I had to leave as I wasn’t happy in SF.

I finally came to LA, where the job market in fashion is more competitive and smaller brands. I landed a job with a luxury brand, where I learned a lot about domestic production.

Challenges and Learnings—

I encountered numerous challenges while establishing Brea, including the nuances of being a first-time female business owner and marketing strategy.

My marketing strategy combines social media, local advertising, and in-person venues. I aim to use social media to connect with my target audience and showcase my products’ luxury quality and craftsmanship. By highlighting the exceptional characteristics of my fabrics, such as the Siro Tencel Interlock Fabric, my goal is to set Brea apart in a crowded market. At the same time, I’m exploring the potential of selling the dresses at local boutiques and venues because it’s crucial for customers to see and try on the dresses in person to appreciate the quality and fit truly. I also plan to advertise locally, for example, in coffee shops, on college billboards, and on the streets of LA, to get the name out there.

Realizing I needed to stand out in a crowded market, I used my expertise to represent my brand. Despite being reserved by nature, I knew I had to network throughout my career to succeed. I never planned to become a model for the brand, but I was determined to show that the dresses looked fantastic in various body sizes, and due to budget constraints, I took on this role myself to be the second model in our campaign! I am committed to pushing myself into uncomfortable positions as the brand evolves.

Nevertheless, with my background and hard work, I am confident that the brand will succeed. As the brand has come to life, I continue to impress myself. The dresses are exceptional, and I do not doubt that it will sell.

Looking Forward—

Looking ahead, I am excited to expand Brea’s product line and continue innovating in the fashion world. My journey from a 9-to-5 job to building a brand from the ground up is a testament to my determination and passion. With the support of my loved ones and my unwavering commitment to quality, I am poised to make a significant impact in the fashion industry.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Seven years ago, my best friend and I came here with a group of friends. It was my first visit to LA, and the city has held a special place in my heart ever since. I fulfilled my dream of moving here so it would be a special visit now that I’m living in the city.

I plan to start our trip with a morning hike up Runyon Canyon; we ended our first trip with a hike there, so it would only be fitting to start there. We would get coffee at Bohemian Cafe before our hike, as it’s my favorite coffee spot in Hollywood, and I know she loves a good horchata latte, too!

I would also take her to my favorite fabric mills, as she’s also geeks over fabrics, too.

Our trip would only be complete with a visit to the beach, perhaps Manhattan Beach, where we can explore the small shops. There’s a store there, Blvd, where I’d love to have my brand sold.

I would also want to take her around my neighborhood in Weho. We are both Drake fans, so I’d take her to the restaurant Delilah.

Finally, I’d love to take her to Melrose for some shopping, as it’s a dream of mine for my brand to have a storefront there someday.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I attribute my success to everyone, including my friends and family. My support group has meant the world to me throughout this process of building my brand. They’ve been there to listen to my tears and frustrations and provide me with opinions and encouragement.

Website: www.brealosangeles.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/brealosangeles/

Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/heathermitchell03

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/brealosangeles

Other: Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/brealosangeles/ Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@brealosangeles 

Image Credits
Creative Director/Founder/Model: Heather Mitchell Model #2: Emerald Lian Photographer (city view photos): Andrew Cunningham Makeup (city view photos): Eriq Moreno Hair (city view photos): Alayna Rose