Fashion Gxd Magazine Presents "Kinyatta Gray" CEO & Creator of FlightsInStilettos Entrepreneur Cover Reveal (Print Copies Available September 22 nd)
Edited By : Samantha Cee
FlightsInStilettos®️ was founded in 2018 by Kinyatta E. Gray based on her real-life travel style -- traveling glamorously through the airport. Kinyatta's goal is to inspire women travelers to put their best selves forward when traveling and to think about their individual travel style. Since launching FlightsInStilettos, the signature t-shirts and travel accessories have been spotted around the world. "Travel , Glamour, Slay."
Acquiring success in the masses FlightsInStilettos®️ has truly taken off. This year FlightsInStilettos®️ debuted during New York Fashion Week and was spotted being worn by vast quantities of celebrities. The Celebrities supported the honor tote by FlightsInStilettos®️ such as fashion influencer Maui Bigelow , celebrity make-up artist Nydia Figueroa , MTV Wild ' N ' Out and Trl, Davida D, Bravo's "Blood Sweet & Heels" Kim Dillinger, IHeart radio show host Madison Jaye, and Youtuber Ifueko Igbinovia. FlightsInStilettos®️ travel accessories has also been supported by the Bravo network "Housewives of New Jersey & New York" Delores Catania and Sonja Morgan.
In addition, FlightsInStilletos was featured on noted top tier websites Buzzfeed and ThriveGlobal. Adding to their success they have been featured on vast platforms such as Medium, Love Thy Self, The Bunnie Hole, Spillin The Tea, On Mogul, and Madisonjaye.com. In addition, FlightsInStilletos has been highlighted in publications such as Vine Magazine, LWL Magazine , Authority Magazine , and Enspire Magazine
FlightsInStilettos®️ has been worldly recognized by vast platforms. Rising in the brand’s success, FlightsInStilettos was featured in Fashion GXD Magazine, which was advertised on Amazon.com and Barnes & Nobles. FlightsInStilettos was highlighted on the “Travel in Style” segment of BMORE Lifestyle on MyTV24 Baltimore co-anchored by Chardelle Moore & Christina Denny. In addition , to being featured in editorial and television, the brand was introduced by Always Ask Asia of Radio One, Majic 102.3 & 92.7 during an “Introducing FlightsInStilettos” segment, followed by an interview with DJ KeiTouch also at Radio One, on The Outlet News and Entertainment Connection on 1450 & 95.9 News Talk during the “Black Brands” segment.
Print Copies Available Monday , September 22nd via MagCloud.
FGM: It’s an honor to sit down with you all. Tell us a little about your brand and how you've come to this vastly successful peek in your career.
Answer:
Thank you. I am truly grateful for this opportunity to chat about FlightsInStilettos with you!
FlightsInStilettos was literally conceived after I took a trip with friends while traveling through the airport in stilettos. Through encouragement by a good friend, I joined a travel club and created the account name FlightsInStilettos. I was drawing from my experience of having traveled in stilettos through the airport and thinking about all of the comments I received from travelers that ranged from support and love to flat out pity. I shared my account name with my friend who immediately considered FlightsInStilettos "cute and catchy". And after a few weeks of pondering on the account name, I too began to consider the name cute and catchy and from that moment forward I began to develop a business focused on inspiring women to travel in style. Through my website FlightsInStilettos.com I sell travel inspired apparel and accessories for women. I also launched a new line of travel-inspired accessories and apparel for little girls between the ages of 4-10 called The Traveling Tiaras.
FGM: Who are the clients/what are the projects that you most enjoy working on?
Answer:
My clients consist of women travelers who are avid travelers, occasional travelers, and even Flight Attendants. My clients are also little girls between the ages of 4-10. I enjoy working with my illustrator (Clarisa Coleman) to develop new designs for my products. It's very rewarding to have ideas and visions that become designs on products that my customers love. I draw a lot of inspiration from my travel style and from doing a lot of people watching at the airport!
FGM: How do you feel you make a difference in the world?
Answer:
I make a difference in the world through my philanthropic efforts. Just this year, I partnered with an organization and participated in a back-to-school drive and donated many backpacks (from my Traveling Tiaras line) and school supplies to children living in a homeless shelter. As my business continues to grow and prosper, I believe that it is only right to seek out opportunities to give back and to help others in need.
FGM: Tell us about a time when you showed determination to continue as an entrepreneur
Answer:
This is going to be a tearjerker. In October 2018 my mother suddenly and unexpectedly passed away. I was her only child. Before her passing, my mother was the biggest FlightsInStilettos supporter ever. She cheered on every new accomplishment as my business started to gain momentum. After she passed away, I felt that my entire world had collapsed. I did not want to go on without her. I battled intense depression, sadness and grief. And then one day, as I was praying, I heard a voice that said, "you must carry on". And from that moment forward, everything I have done for FlightsInStilettos has been in honor of my mother. She loved FlightsInStilettos, and Pilar, she was a fan of yours too. She followed your page on Instagram. I decided that I must finish what I started and that I would channel my pain and use that energy to propel FlightsInStilettos forward.
FGM: Give me the three best qualities of your brand
Answer:
The three best qualities of my brand are:
Authenticity
Consistency
Passion
FGM: Give me an example of when you worked irregular hours?
Answer:
I am a huge fan of the Amazon shipping model (Amazon Prime) so I have been known to stay up late at night packaging orders to ensure that they can ship within 2-days of the order being placed. Consumers are accustomed to fast delivery times, and I am conscientious of this and will do what it takes to ensure timely delivery.
FGM: Being a entrepreneur is a 24/7 job, how did you get ready for that?
Answer:
I didn't "get ready". It was an evolution. I created the handle FlightsInStilettos and afterward, one thing led to another. I never set out to be an entrepreneur. I evolved into one.
FGM: How did you acquire the ability to work under pressure to beat meet deadlines as a entrepreneur ?
Answer:
I have always been the kind of person who works well under pressure. However, I am a proactive person who plans in advance to mitigate having to work under pressure. And in instances when even under the best planning, things happen, I prioritize my efforts and I stay calm.
FGM: What is your favorite inspirational point, place, to develop new brand developments?
Answer:
I am a very spiritual person and my sacred space is in my bedroom. A lot of inspiration comes to me in my dreams. I will think about what it is that I want before I got to bed, and I will write it down and pray for the answer. Often, the answer or inspiration is revealed to me in a dream.
FGM: Which current public figure, are you inspired by or appreciate the most?
Answer:
Pilar Scratch. I see how hard you work on behalf of your son to build his career while building your own. Your youth and your wisdom impress me. I am inspired by your business savvy and the businesses you have unselfishly launched to help aspiring individuals such as me to succeed.
How do you handle stress ?
Answer:
I handle stress by meditating, walking, burning candles and by trying to change my vibration by thinking of all of the things I have to be grateful for.
FGM: What are the three qualities you feel an entrepreneur must have ?
Answer:
The three qualities an entrepreneur must have are:
Integrity
Consistency
Authenticity
FGM: Where do you see your business in 10 years ?How do you plan to get there ?
Answer:
I see my branded t-shirts and beach towels being sold in airports and retailers nationwide. For the time being I plan to continue to bring visibility to my brand and increase sales. Once I achieved a certain level of sales and popularity with the brand I will consult with professionals who have experience brokering distribution deals. If any one of your readers has this kind of experience, please feel free to reach out to me!
FGM: It was a pleasure speaking with you thank you for joining us
Answer:
The pleasure was all mine. Thank you so much for sharing your honorable platform with me.
