Slimgirl Shapewear Founder Juliana Richards Quit Her Job In Corporate America To Pursue Entrepreneurship
Slim Girl Shapewear founder Juliana Richards knows a thing or two about putting your heart, time, money, and patience into a career that is not coming together as anticipated. The Nigerian-born wife and mother has worked tirelessly to get her company off of the ground, but if you were to meet Juliana today, you probably wouldn't imagine that her story is rooted in struggle. Her company, which provides comfortable body shape wear pieces, has been so fruitful that she was able to create a subsidiary company, 1800Cinchers. Today, she's the leader of a global brand that operates in the U.S., Europe, and Africa.
Not only that, but it's a celebrity endorsed brand hailed by some of the country's most familiar faces, including Khloe Kardashian, Nicole "Snooki" Polizzi, Lira Galore, Erica Dixon of Love & Hip Hop Atlanta, and Carmen Electra, and has been featured on popular daytime talk shows The Real and TheWendy Williams Show.
Slim Girl Shapewear on "The Real"
Juliana stands before the world as a testament to how hard it is to go through the battle of getting a business off of the ground, and how appreciative you will be of the struggle when it's all said and done. No stranger to dreaming big, her journey to the top started when she was a little girl. Growing up, she said her dream was to become an attorney and one day a judge. Juliana's parents were very supportive of her daughter's goals, but seeing her mother, who she describes as a "serial entrepreneur," helped plant the seeds to success in Juliana's young mind.
"[I] Never thought I was learning anything," she reveals. "However, when it was my turn, I caught myself drawing inspiration from what I saw my mom do or not do in business."
"The good thing with having a parent who had their own business was learning from their mistakes and triumphs. And there were many."
There was also another seed planted by the world around her that Juliana wasn't aware of until she started her own business years later. She explains that growing up, it was customary for her to see Nigerian women wrap their bellies with hot cloths to reduce belly fat after giving birth. Fast forward years later, when Juliana was a college student at Georgia State studying accounting, and the seeds that were planted in her mind as a young girl started to blossom. It started with a shopping trip. Like many women Juliana found that more form-fitting clothing required a little smoothing out of the mid-section, and out of her own personal experience determined that there was a need for shape wear. But not just any shape wear, something that was more comfortable than a corset or a girdle. She realized that she could be the one to start a business and turn her idea into a reality, especially since at the time she was positioned in a comfortable seat in her career.
"By the time I decided to start my own business, I had a very comfortable job at J.P Morgan Chase Mortgage," says Juliana. "I knew I was crazy to think of leaving this job and trying to 'live,' but I felt empty with no life. I told myself, 'Hey if there is any time you will take a risk, let it be now.' I’d rather be homeless now with no kids than homeless with kids. So I took the chance and I have not looked back."
"I’d rather be homeless now with no kids than homeless with kids."
But it's hard not to look back at the life you left behind when the world has yet to see that you have something special to contribute. Juliana faced this issue when she started making her first Slim Girl prototype. "Believe it or not, it was not easy to finally get a prototype," she says. "You get samples made, some are good and others are horrible. Lots of trials and errors and scammers. You have to really want to succeed, and have student loans!"
Juliana was so dedicated to the process of getting the prototype right that she traveled to Colombia to oversee the process, which allowed her to make quality control a key part of her business plan for success. The entrepreneur believes that you won't have a business without that one important factor. "Truth is quality is what makes customers come back," she says. "If you don’t have quality, just pack up and go. The good thing is customers will tell you. We try our best, and I obsessively follow through in every stage of production to make sure things go smoothly. However, there are going to be hiccups. Be ready for the hiccups. We had 10,000 pieces sent to us we had to reject after close inspection. Situations like these make you want to lose your mind and cry, and it’s ok to give up for one day. Come back the next day and start again. That’s allowed."
That's exactly what Juliana did. The beginning of her story was one laced in a struggle that often leaves many budding entrepreneurs to feel defeated, but her success is a testament to the importance of perseverance, and provides encouragement and guidance to those who want to one day become their own bosses. It's something that she often thinks about as she drives past her old job on the way to one of her two Atlanta store locations—a come up from her days of working out of her two bedroom apartment.
But she also wants business owners to know that they don't have to throw in the towel just because their business venture is not planning out as they had hoped. If you use Juliana's keys to success, then hanging in there during the rough times is key. "You will not be Oprah from day one. You have to start small and read, read, read. There is a plethora of information out there. You just have to slow down and follow the steps others took and tailor it to what fits you."
To find out more information on Juliana's innovative products, visit slimgirlshapewear.com and 1800cinchers.com. Read more on Juliana at www.julianarichards.com and follow this girl boss on Instagram.
ItGirl 100 Honors Black Women Who Create Culture & Put On For Their Cities
As they say, create the change you want to see in this world, besties. That’s why xoNecole linked up with Hyundai for the inaugural ItGirl 100 List, a celebration of 100 Genzennial women who aren’t afraid to pull up their own seats to the table. Across regions and industries, these women embody the essence of discovering self-value through purpose, honey! They're fierce, they’re ultra-creative, and we know they make their cities proud.
VIEW THE FULL ITGIRL 100 LISTÂ HERE.
Don’t forget to also check out the ItGirl Directory, featuring 50 Black-woman-owned marketing and branding agencies, photographers and videographers, publicists, and more.
THE ITGIRL MEMO
I. An ItGirl puts on for her city and masters her self-worth through purpose.
II. An ItGirl celebrates all the things that make her unique.
III. An ItGirl empowers others to become the best versions of themselves.
IV. An ItGirl leads by example, inspiring others through her actions and integrity.
V. An ItGirl paves the way for authenticity and diversity in all aspects of life.
VI. An ItGirl uses the power of her voice to advocate for positive change in the world.
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When discussing the topic of raising children, discipline is often the first thing that comes to mind. Children need discipline. Full stop. But what is discipline? And how do we draw the line between discipline and revenge?
The origin of the word "discipline" can be traced back to the Latin word "disciplina," which means "instruction" or "teaching." Over time, however, discipline has come to be synonymous with punishment, with parents relying on shame, fear, and/or physical pain to curb undesirable behavior.
Teaching takes time, so nipping it in the bud in whatever fashion parents deem necessary (within reason) has become the norm. But is this what’s best for children? And when does it become less about curbing undesirable behavior and more about getting our licks back for offenses we feel our children should know better to do?
In my work as a parenting coach, I’ve often heard parents say, “I asked him nicely three times before spanking him. He didn’t stop doing it until I did, so clearly talking doesn’t work.”
And the parent isn’t wrong. Talking often doesn’t work the first, the third, or the even the 10th time. And the reason is directly tied to brain development.
Children cannot and do not process information the way an adult can. Auditory processing is not fully developed until a child is 14 or 15 years old. And even then, if a child has auditory processing delays or Auditory Processing Disorder (APD), they may always struggle with processing auditory commands. According to Susie S. Loraine, MA, CCC-SLP, the term auditory processing refers to how the brain perceives and interprets sound information. Several skills determine auditory processing ability—or listening success. They develop in a general four-step hierarchy, but all work together and are essential for daily listening.
Without this understanding, discipline can easily become revenge because parents will then view their child’s misdeeds as a personal slight. Instead of teaching them to do better, parents now want to show them the consequences of not doing better. This is why it's imperative for parents to discern between discipline and revenge to maintain healthy relationships with their children.
5 WAYS TO DISTINGUISH BETWEEN PARENTAL GUIDANCE AND RETALIATION:Â Â
​Understanding The Intent
Discipline is rooted in love and concern for the child's well-being. It focuses on teaching lessons and helping children understand the consequences of their actions. Conversely, revenge-driven actions stem from a desire to inflict pain or punishment as payback for perceived slights or disobedience. Parents should reflect on their motives before taking disciplinary actions. Ask yourself whether your intention is to help your child learn or to make them suffer for upsetting you.
Example: If a child accidentally breaks a valuable item, a disciplinary response would involve discussing the importance of being careful and working with the child to come up with a way to replace or fix what they’ve broken. On the other hand, a vengeful reaction might involve yelling, harsh punishment, or bringing up past mistakes to intensify guilt.
​Maintaining Emotional Regulation
Effective discipline requires parents to remain calm and composed, even in challenging situations. It's natural to feel upset or frustrated when children misbehave, but responding with anger or resentment can escalate the situation and blur the line between discipline and revenge. Before addressing the issue, take a moment to breathe and collect your thoughts.
Example: If a child cannot follow instructions, a disciplined response would involve calmly explaining why their cooperation is necessary in working with the child to accomplish the goal. Conversely, a retaliatory response might involve shouting, name-calling, or resorting to physical punishment out of anger.
​Promoting Growth and Learning
Discipline should always aim to promote growth and learning. It involves guiding children toward making better choices and understanding the impact of their actions on themselves and others. Effective discipline strategies include positive reinforcement, setting clear expectations, and providing opportunities for reflection and growth.
Example: If a child repeatedly forgets to complete their chores, a disciplinary approach would involve discussing the importance of responsibility and finding solutions together, such as creating a chore chart or setting reminders with Siri or Alexa. In contrast, a revenge-driven response might involve imposing overly harsh punishments or belittling the child, which can undermine their self-esteem and hinder their ability to learn from their mistakes.
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Building Trust and Communication
Trust and open communication are essential components of a healthy parent-child relationship. Discipline should strengthen this bond by fostering trust and encouraging children to confide in their parents without fear of judgment or retaliation. When children feel safe and supported, they're more likely to accept discipline as a form of guidance rather than punishment.
Example: If a child admits to breaking a rule or making a mistake, a disciplined response would involve listening to their perspective, discussing the consequences of their actions, and working together to find a solution. Conversely, a retaliatory response might involve accusations, blame, or shutting down communication, which can erode trust and damage the parent-child relationship.
Seeking Professional Guidance
Parenting is a learning journey, and, disciplining children is a delicate balance between guiding them toward responsible behavior and nurturing their growth. By understanding the intent behind our actions, maintaining emotional regulation, promoting growth and learning, building trust and communication, and seeking professional guidance when needed, as parents we can help our children built on love, respect, and understanding.
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Featured image by Courtney Hale/Getty Images