Meet LaQuilla Rooks | Owner of Crop Top Fitness & Apparel

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

Hi LaQuilla, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
From a little girl I have always said I would be a business woman. Back then I didn’t know what I would do but I knew I wanted to be my own boss. Although, I’ve had other business ventures the thought process behind Crop Top Fitness & Apparel came about while on my weight loss journey. The more successful I became in my journey others who were on the same journey looked to me for tips and advice. They also vented about why they wore the oversized t-shirts and leggings combo to the gym. The more I heard this the more I began to have a desire to help women reach their goals while looking and feeling great doing it.

There are two things that make a woman walk with her head high, an extra twist in her walk, and that extra confidence and one of them being a new stylish outfit. And that is how Crop Top Fitness & Apparel was born. I wanted to give women that feeling with fitness apparel in hopes that it will add confidence to women to help push them along their journey.

What should our readers know about your business?
I believe that what sets Crop Top Fitness & Apparel apart are the stylish fitness apparel that are hand picked by me. Most times when you see certain companies they have simple sets that are likely solid colors. While that is cool CTF brings stylish fits that catch the eye and can range from leopard print that is everyone’s fav, to waist trainers, to sauna shorts, and other accessories.

I’m most excited about the continued growth that we at CTF have been experiencing. I love that we have repeat customers not only in my home state but also other surrounding states. CTF has now reached 21 out of the 50 states in a year with repeat customers. I am happy to continue to share my fitness journey to continue to motivate others along their journey and building their confidence through fitness apparel.

This journey definitely hasn’t been easy. There were days I doubted myself, wanted to give up, and just wasn’t sure about anything. At the beginning I didn’t have a team around me and not a lot of support. Something in me didn’t allow me to give up. I realized I had to stop the negative thoughts as they came in. I promoted and prayed over my business like crazy. I decided to step out and start doing pop up shops and that is where I started to find my tribe of supportive business friends. When they say “when we support each other great things happen” they truly do. While I was getting customers before Business definitely got better as my support system grew.

I want the world to know that CTF is on a mission to change lives of women on their fitness journey. We’re encouraging women to be themselves and be comfortable in their own skin, shape and size rocking their CTF apparel.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
Knowing my best friend we would likely be at the closest gym every morning. Lol We would have to be sure to hit up one of the bath spas in Hot Springs, Eat at Samantha’s downtown Little Rock a time or two. We love to laugh so catching a comedy show at the local comedy spot would also be on the to do list.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
Bryan Newby helped me along my fitness journey with tough love and kept me going on days I just felt I couldn’t. My mother Dedra Lloyd for accompanying me to every pop-up shop I did. She was definitely my comfort zone while I stepped out there and made myself and business accessible in person. Her support meant a lot. My children Kylan, Malakai, and Khila. They all have pushed me in one way or another to keep going. Kyesha for nominating me and her love and support of me. Last and definitely not least every single person who have allowed Crop Top Fitness & Apparel to be apart of your fitness journey.

Website: www.croptopfitt.com

Instagram: @Croptopfitness_

Facebook: @Crop Top Fitness & Apparel

Image Credits
Amos Sanders