Inspiring Lives with " La France Design " For Fashion Gxd Magazine
Written By : Samantha Cee
LaFrance & Co., LLC is a family owned and operatedCustom T-shirt and Apparel Design Company established May 2017. Located in the Dallas Fort Worth Metroplex. they specialize in custom t-shirt designs for most occasions using heat transfer vinyl. If they can cut it, they can make it as they like their designs to meet your vision. Take a look at our exclusive interview with the rising brandbelow .
Instagram @lafranceandco.apparel & Facebook @lafranceandcompany
· lafranceandco.com
Fashion Gxd Magazine : How did the idea for your business come about?
LaFrance Design: I was inspired by a classmate to hobby around with making t-shirts. I made a pair for friends to celebrate their anniversary. Posted them to my social media accounts and started getting inquiries. It was never my intention to start a t-shirt design business but God had other plans. It has been catching like wildfire ever since.
· Fashion Gxd Magazine : How do you find people to bring into your organization that truly care about the organization the way you do?
LaFrance Design: I connect with like hearted spirits. The people that I bring into my organization are not new to me. They have been invested in me when there was nothing to gain. They are family or are like family.
· Fashion Gxd Magazine : What three pieces of advice would you give to other children who want to become entrepreneurs?
LaFrance Design : Believe that you can, if you can see it in your mind then you can achieve it and always keep God in all that you do. I know you said three but I have to add, surround yourself with like-minded people. This can be other children and/or adults.
· Fashion Gxd Magazine :If you had the chance to start your career over again, what would you do differently?
LaFrance Design : Be better prepared for the take off.
· Fashion Gxd Magazine :What would you say are the top three skills needed to be a successful entrepreneur ?
LaFrance Design : You have to have Determination, be Resilient and be a Lifetime Learner.
· Fashion Gxd Magazine :What have been some of your failures, and what have you learned from them?
LaFrance Design : Saying “yes.” I’ve learned that I do not have to say yes to doing it all and not accepting help. I’ve learned it is okay to say “no” and accepting help is key to the success of my businesses.
· Fashion Gxd Magazine : How many hours do you work a day on average?
LaFrance Design : 15-18
· Fashion Gxd Magazine :Describe/outline your typical day?
LaFrance Design : I get up around 5am and have my time with God. After this (5:30/6am) I go into my multi-tasking mode of chores (this includes making sure my daughter is up for school at 7am) and jumping on the computer, Cricut Explore Air 2 and/or Silhouette Cameo and heat press to design, cut and make shirts until 7:26am when I stop to pray with my Beautiful One (my daughter) before she heads out for school. I am out of the door a few minutes later no later than 7:40am to make it to my full time “9-5.” I’m there until 4:30pm so I have been taking my laptop with me work on designs in between work. I get home by 5:15pm, take up to 30 minutes of “me” time and jump right back into where I left off working on t-shirt orders sometimes until 3am but I have been trying to stop at 12 am.
· Fashion Gxd Magazine : How has being an entrepreneur affected your family life?
LaFrance Design I do not get to spend the same quality time with my Beautiful One like we use to. I miss it but I know the sacrifice is for a short time.
· Fashion Gxd Magazine :What motivates you?
LaFrance Design : My daughter, my mother and my past.
· Fashion Gxd Magazine: How do you generate new ideas?
LaFrance Design : I listen to the people by producing designs they request personally, I look for new ideas in everything, (my daughter, sermons, motivational speeches, life experiences) and I'm inspired by other designers.
· Fashion Gxd Magazine : What sacrifices have you had to make to be a successful entrepreneur?
LaFrance Design : Fewer mommy-daughter moments and my social life is on a HARD pause.
· Fashion Gxd Magazine : Where you see yourself and your business in 10 years? 20 years?
LaFrance Design: In 10 years I see myself leading one of the few female owned and operated apparel printing companies in addition to expanding to offer company specific apparel and accessories from a location that is dedicated to business production only. I see my event design, planning and linen rental company thriving. I see myself having a successful nonprofit organization dedicated to investing in children and even adults, teaching them how to become great and successful entrepreneurs. I see myself being a great mentor and inspiration to many. I see myself traveling more and spending more time with family and friends. In 20 years, I won’t say because what I think may happen in 20 years can happen next year, God loves me just that much and is just that AMAZING to me.
