Meet Kala Bennett | Fashion Designer/Owner of KALAELISE & Adjunct Professor

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

Hi Kala, what role has risk played in your life or career?
Taking risks is a smart move in life, when it’s done right. Meaning, don’t jump out of an airplane without making sure you have check all your safety measures first. You’re still taking a risk because.. hello, you are jumping out of a perfectly good plane. In my career I always had the mind set of say yes to every opportunity that benefits my career or life. Take small risks in everything I do not know how it’ll fully benefit me. The biggest risk I ever took was quitting my corporate job and starting my own business. As most entrepreneurs will tell you, you won’t know if it’ll work unless you try! The reason why it was my biggest risk was because for the first time in my life I didn’t have a plan B. I just knew working for other people in a corporate 9-5 setting was NOT for me, so I had to make this work! Luckily somehow I pulled it off, and still to this day I am so thankful for taking that risk of starting my own business!
Can you give our readers an introduction to your business? Maybe you can share a bit about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
KALAELISE brand was established to work directly with fashion companies to provide any and all fashion design work from sewing samples, creating patterns, designing styles for collections, creating technical packs, providing technical design work, along with consulting on design and production needs. Since the establishment of this brand, the clients acquired have provided opportunities such as, 1. Being sent to Cambodia to set up a production team for a made-to-measure brand, 2. Create and consult on all technical packs for a global knit company, and 3. Consult and sew samples for a nation-wide plus size women’s athletic brand. KALAELISE specializes in technical design work, and custom designs/garments. What sets my company apart from others is the quality of work, creative designs, and the 24/7 communication with clients. I will be available for my clients anytime to provide them the best service. I want clients to feel welcome when they come to KALAELISE, and open to discuss any creative ideas. I love collaborating with my clients so ideas and suggestions are MORE than welcome in my brand. I got to where I am today, business-wise, by keeping my prices competitive and my quality high. Pricing is key in my market, if you are priced too high no one will want to work with you even if you provide the best quality and standards. Yes people will pay for quality but not to be taken advantage of. A lesson I’ve learned with having a wide array of clients is always make sure your time is respected. I have had new clients schedule an appointment and be 2 hours late. You learn real quick to charge a consultation fee so your time is covered whether they are a no show or extremely late. Another lesson learned is KNOW YOUR WORTH! I cannot stress that enough, you do not want to undercharge your services and do this long project with a client and realize there is so much more work to do and you are not being compensated fairly.
If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Creating a “where to go” guide while visiting a city is one of my favorite things to do and I do it when I visit anywhere! Dallas has a lot of hidden gems that are a must see/try. Let’s pretend its a nice spring weekend because we all know texas gets BRUTLE in the summer and no one is trying to sit outside during that time of year: DAY 1 Get coffee at La la Land Visit the Dallas Botanical Gardens After go have lunch at Smoky Rose Head back to uptown and take a trolly around the city Stop off at Victory Park Get happy hour at Happiest Hour which overlooks the downtown city skyline Then head on over to my favorite downtown rooftop restaurant: Sky Blossom (make sure to get their drunken beef) and if you look over the edge you’ll see the famous “eye” of Dallas! Day 2 Get an early Brunch at Chelseas Corner Go walk the famous Katy Trail Stop off for a drink at Katy Trail Ice House (it’s a tradition amongst my friends) After getting changed at home, head out to Greenville for some late lunch Head to Standard service for late lunch/early dinner If you’re up for it, stop by Leela’s Wine Bar for a champbong to get you right for the night! If you are in the mood to bar hop or go dancing, head on over to Deep Ellum for some AMAZING live music, I recommend: Twilite Lounge / T&A (speakeasy club) / Louie Louie’s Dueling Piano Bar / High & Tight Barbershop (speakeasy bar/music venue) / Yellow Rosa (speakeasy mexico inspired bar) Day 3 Get Brunch at Snooze of Walnut Hill (or pick up tacos at Taco Deli – make sure to get their mashed potatoes on the taco, you’ll thank me later) Head over to Klyde Warren Park for a little picnic with you tacos or just take a relaxing walk If you’re an art lover check out the DMA and the Nasher Sculpture Museum For lunch you must go to either the original El Fenix in downtown OR Mariano’s Hacienda Dallas who invented the frozen margarita. After lunch, make your way over to the bishop arts district and go explore some history and art. For dinner or just yummy appetizers/drinks check out Paradiso (great courtyard to enjoy drinks at). THE END!

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I would like to dedicate my shoutout to my family and friends: my parents, Mark & JoAnne Bennett and my loving boyfriend, Ryan Harding. You guys have had my back since day one. Always supporting me and pushing me to be the best I can be. Thank you, and I love you so much!

Website: www.kalaelise.com

Instagram: @_kalaelise_

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kala-bennett

Facebook: @kalaelisefashion