We had the good fortune of connecting with Jessica Owusu-Afriyie and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Jessica, we’d love to hear more about how you thought about starting your own business?
I started my business when I had recently become a mom. I was coming off of a job as Design Director for a private label intimate apparel company that worked with some of the largest retailers in the country. My work there had been extremely price focused at the expense of many of my own ideals such as sustainability and ethical manufacturing. It left me feeling very empty. Going into business for myself I knew I wanted to work with brands whose mission I respect, factories I felt comfortable partnering with, and to be able to impact the decision-making towards sustainable materials and more ethical, inclusive design. Starting my own business was in pursuit of feeling great about the work that I spend so much of my time doing.

What should our readers know about your business?
My company, Suite Creative Studio, is a multi-brand apparel design studio with a focus on intimate apparel, activewear and swimwear. I am proud to have worked with more than 50 brands since starting my company including launching more than 15. 85% of our clients are other women-owned businesses as well. After more than 10 years in fashion design, I started my company with 1 client and a goal to build a business and products that I truly believe in and feel great about. I would be lying if I said it was always easy. Good days feel like a breeze. On challenging days, it is necessary to slow down, think through the issue at hand and figure out how to resolve it to move forward as smoothly as possible. I have learned that most times, it is not the challenge that is the biggest issue, but how you deal with the challenge. I want other entrepreneurs to know that there are resources out there, like Suite Creative Studio, to help them to realize their dream of business ownership. If you have dreamed of building the next disruptor fashion brand but have no idea where to start with fully developing your product or sourcing your manufacturing, our team is available to you. We are passionate about building great products and growing successful brands for all our clients. There is more than enough room for us all to succeed in life and business. I hope to contribute to that success for as many people as I can.

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.
Wow! Let me tell you, I moved to L.A. just before Covid and have admittedly had a small life the last two years. I am really looking forward to exploring more of this amazing city, but I’ll give you some of my favorite spots that I’ve checked out so far! In my itinerary I would make Jewel, in Silver Lake, a stop for an amazing vegan-friendly meal, and then off to explore other neighborhood gems. Band of Vices art gallery would be our curated art experience. Making a drive up the coast to Malibu to take in the amazing views puts the beauty of the west coast on full display. I would have sunset drinks on the deck at Élephante in Santa Monica. A hike in Palos Verdes in the morning, capped off with a spa day, dinner and drinks at Terranea would be our time to wind down and relax.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would like to dedicate this shoutout to my husband, Kwaku Owusu-Afriyie. We have been together now through most of my career and the start of my business. In fact, he was instrumental in me starting my own company. He was my first (and only) investor, my biggest cheerleader, and amongst other things, my in-house tech support. He is brilliant, creative and the most necessary kind of honest. Kwaku, thank you for helping me shine.

Website: www.suitecreativestudio.com

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

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/suite-creative-studio/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/SuiteCreative_

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

Other: www.tiktok.com/@suitecreativestudio

Image Credits

Photo 1 – Infiniti Touch
Photo 2 – Eltee Swim
Photo 3 – Jen & Keri
Photo 4 – Grand Axis
Photo 5 – Motherfigure
Photo 6 – LIVI LOU Laine
Photo 7 – Kinform
Photo 8 – Balanced Bra Co

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutLA is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.