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

Hi Aaliyah, we’d love to hear about how you approach risk and risk-taking
Chances make champions. Who knows where I would be had I not taken the chance on myself and stayed in the situation I was in. I think the risk is more so about believing in yourself. If you can think it you can achieve it. I took the risk and bet on myself and it was the best thing I ever done. I could not have imagined being here when I first took the first, but I always believed that I could do whatever I wanted to.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
My art is based on my life and real life events. I want to give the people something that they can relate to and be inspired by. Im not into following trends, I am telling my story and doing so how I want to. I am most excited about how far I have came and to see what the future holds. When I first started no one believed in me. I was an D1 athlete with a Master’s Degree in business and I wanted to get into design and fashion. It was the craziest idea to everyone around me, and I didn’t have that much support. I didn’t have any knowledge on the industry. So, to see how far I have came with no help is amazing. It inspires me to reach a new level or something new everyday. Nothing good comes easy but I wouldn’t change a thing. This process has helped me to grow. I want to make Richlee an household name. Its a small town brand with big city dreams. I want the younger generations to know that you can achieve anything you put your mind to. The sky is the limit.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I dedicate this shout out to my uncle, Richard L. Gaines, whom I founded my brand in honor of. It was the values and things that he instilled in me that I push through my brand. I make most of my designs based off different lessons and things he taught me before he passed. I credit him a lot when it comes to helping me become who I am today. I live my life thinking what would he do or what would he tell me to do.

Website: shoprichlee.com

Instagram: @RichleeApparel

Facebook: @richleeapparel

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