Fashion Gxd Magazine - Anchor’d Inc CEO Shabranae Patton Entrepreneur Cover Entrepreneur Cover
Written By: Samantha Cee
Social media accounts :
Twitter: @anchordinc, Facebook: @anchordinc, Tiktok: @anchord_inc, Instagram: @anchordinc
This week for our entreprenuer issue of Fashion Gxd Magazine, we covered rising brand, Anchor’d Inc. The rising brand is a modern coastal luxe home decor and fashion accessories brand, that aids in the post trauma care of victims and survivors of sexual assault and human trafficking across the nation. CEO & Founder Shabranae Patton has been an advocate for the cause for over a decade. As a sexual assault survivor and a domestic assault survivor, she has turned her healing journey into one of freedom for those who need it most. Husband and COO Myron Patton, has taken on the operations side of the business full time in light of recent successes with the up and coming designer being featured on multiple large platforms, most notably Beyoncé.com, Lowe’s Home Improvement stores, NAACP, and CBS amongst a few. Through her designs, Shabranae has set her eyes on building the first full service survivor housing educational community in the nation fully owned and operated by minorities, advocates, and survivors. Take a look at our exclusive interview with the rising brand.
FGM: Its 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: Anchor’d Inc is a cause based brand and boutique that specializes in designing, creating and curating modern coastal home decor and fashion accessories, all for the purpose of freedom. Each time a customer places an order with us, we create essential trauma care packages for victims and survivors of human trafficking, all across the nation. Although we’ve only been in business for 2 years, I have been in the advocacy sector for over a decade. I am a sexual and domestic assault survivor, so this cause is very near and dear to my heart. My success has come as a result of personal trauma experiences, coupled with my passion to see women and children set free. As I began to take my own healing journey, I saw an opportunity to provide that same healing to others through fashion and design.
FGM: Who are the clients/what are the projects that you most enjoy working on?
Answer: I would have to say working and collaborating with the A21 Campaign along with other local and national safe home organizations has been my greatest partnership. It has allowed me the opportunity to grow and learn in my philanthropy efforts, as well as providing limitless networking opportunities.
FGM: How do you feel you make a difference in the world?
Answer: Well through our care package services I feel we are making a major difference in the world. As a survivor I know first hand the gaps in care afforded to victims and survivors. Both in the medical field, as well as the trauma after care arena. After my assault, I noticed a gap between when a woman experiences this horrendous trauma and when she is released to be on her own. There was a significant moment when I felt myself floating away, and it wasn't until someone Anchor’d me, that I realized that I was going to make it. So I sought to become the anchor for women and children all across the nation.
FGM: Tell us about a time when you showed determination to continue as an entrepreneur
Answer: The most memorable time when I had to show determination was the very beginnings of launching my business. No one knew who I was, and my family and friends were not my target audience, so I received very little support. I spent several days, weeks, and even months with no sales, no social media attention, and I really just felt like quitting. However, I knew that I had to keep making the care packages no matter what, because that was the whole mission to begin with. To bring freedom. So I was determined to keep pushing, and to keep going and make this business work, not just for me but for the women and children who were counting on me.
FGM: Give me the three best qualities of your brand
Answer: I would say that our top 3 qualities would be that we are an ethically sourced and curated boutique with luxurious quality, mission driven work ethics, and affordable prices for all.
FGM: Give me an example of when you worked irregular hours?
Answer: Well that is an everyday day occurrence as a business owner, teacher, advocate, mother, and wife. I work irregular hours for a living.
FGM: Being a entrepreneur is a 24/7 job, how did you get ready for that?
Answer: Well, I think it was a combination of strong will, grit, hustle, and pure determination. I knew what I wanted, I knew the goal, and I knew that it was up to me to make it happen. I had to tell myself that no one else is going to do it, so you have to, and I’ve just been going ever since.
FGM: How did you acquire the ability to work under pressure to beat meet deadlines as a entrepreneur ?
Answer: I’ve been working as an anti-trafficking advocate for over a decade now, and working under pressure has simply been a daily part of the journey. When lives are at stake, and help is needed you have to have that internal kick that makes you go hard, because you know that the person on the other side, may never get another chance. It's all about your perspective of what you do. Is it important enough to save a life, if it is, then the ability to work under pressure simply becomes second nature to you. That's the perspective I had to take during those tough deadline driven moments.
FGM: What is your favorite inspirational point, place, to develop new brand developments?
Answer: The ocean hands down. The beach is my go to for design inspiration, me time, brand development ideas, or simply to take a break from it all.
FGM: Which current public figure, are you inspired by or appreciate the most?
Answer: I would have to say, Raynell Stewart (Wuzzam Supa), although I don't wear make-up, her work ethic, hustle, and ability to do what she loves while still being her authentic self is what draws me to her. I see those qualities in myself, and it’s nice to see someone else who looks like you display those traits on such a high level.
How do you handle stress ?
Answer: Honestly, I take like 2-3 hour long baths and just let the water float it all away.
FGM: What are the three qualities you feel an entrepreneur must have ?
Answer: Authenticity, grit, and the ability to create.
If you can manage to put all three of these together, you have the makings of being a great entrepreneur.
FGM: Where do you see your business in 10 years ?How do you plan to get there ?
Answer: In 10 years I hope that Anchor’d Inc is a household name, with our very own survivor safe home community. Through a massive social media following, supporters of the cause, and an expanding product line, I believe that we will become just that, a household brand. We are currently in the process of scouting out a plot of land to start the beginning phases of building our very own survivor care community, and we plan to create these communities in multiple states across the nation.
FGM: It was a pleasure speaking with you thank you for joining us
Answer: Thank you so much for having me, it was a pleasure speaking with you and I look forward to talking again soon.
By Pilar Scratch in Entrepreneur cover for Fashion Gxd Magazine
30 pages, published 4/28/2021
