Meet Yolanda Jamison | Sewing Instructor & Designer

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

Hi Yolanda, do you disagree with some advice that is more or less universally accepted?
The advice that comes to mind first is that hard work leads to success, or at least that certainly isn’t my story. I work harder now than I ever did at my corporate job and for considerably less money. Hard work has its place but you have to work hard on the right things. You have to learn your customer and what works for your company. I have to post things on social media that serve my customer, not myself. I take notice of what they respond to and provide more of that. It’s taken me some time but I’ve learned who my target audience is and I’m always asking how I can help them. I could sew and create product for hours and hours, and I have. But if I don’t have the right product for my customer it does no good. I’m actually still learning to work hard on the right things.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I think creative people see the world differently. We tend to know in our head exactly how we want something to look, we see the potential. I have been sewing for most of my life, I see fabric as the completed garment. I started my company when my kids were little so that I would have a more flexible schedule. I wanted to be the one taking them to school and picking them up, not the nanny. I just felt like I was missing so much. The challenge was trying to now balance it all. I was working harder, just at home and I wanted to do it all. Be the PTA mom, the perfect wife, have a successful company, cook, clean, it was all too much. I learned I couldn’t do it all, I’m actually not Superwoman! I needed to reshape my business in order to free up some time. I needed to prioritize what was truly important and focus on what would work for me and my company..

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Oh I always take out of town guests to Downtown LA. Our first stop is the FIDM museum and store and then on to the fabric and garment district, Malibu Seafood followed by a visit to beach is usually on the agenda. I only go when visitors request it, but a visit to the Hollywood Walk of Fame would be on the list. Lastly we tend to always go on open house tours of amazing homes that I can’t afford, yet.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Oh that would have to be my friend Anacia Weiskittel, the owner of Degas Dance Studio! I met her over 10 years ago when I boldly walked into her studio and asked if I could display my product in her studio. She has been nothing but supportive from the moment I met her. She promotes my business every chance she gets. She’s allowed me to utilize her studio for sewing classes. She continues to hire me to create dance costumes and offers sound advice and business tips.

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