Meet Kianna Brown | Entrepreneur

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

Hi Kianna, how did you come up with the idea for your business?
I’ve always wanted to be a fashion business owner since I was a little girl. What inspired me to focus on ethical fashion, however, was the documentary “The True Cost of Fashion” that I saw on Netflix a few years ago. It shed light on the awful working and financial conditions faced by garment workers in overseas manufacturers. Learning about these issues ignited a strong desire within me to create a business that promotes ethical practices. I wanted to support businesses committed to ethical and sometimes sustainable practices and bring them all together in my ethereal online and in-person pop-up boutique. I am also excited to share that I will soon conquer another step in my business, as I’ll be designing and selling my own clothing.

What should our readers know about your business?
Lilac Skies was born from wanting to see more ethical and sustainable fashion that was cute and fun than beige and boring. I am inspired by the natural world around us. The name ‘Lilac Skies’ comes from the way the sky looks at sunset sometimes and the feeling of serenity that comes along with it. Alongside nature, I am also inspired by cottage core, soft girl, and beach aesthetics.

Fear and self-doubt were the first thoughts during this process, especially since no one in my family ever had dreams of becoming an entrepreneur. It was unheard of and an unstable lifestyle.
After going through a hard time in my life, I started to have the mindset that I would rather look back at my life and feel satisfied that I took a risk than regret that I never took a chance on myself and my dreams.

Starting any business is a risk and I am very glad that I’ve taken this risk in my life and I have been learning from all the ups and downs.

Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
I have hosted numerous people who have visited LA and Southern California, and for each person, the itinerary would vary depending on their interests.

In my opinion, the beaches in Malibu are my favorite among all the beaches in LA County. So, if someone wanted to go to the beach, I would take them to Malibu. Right next to Malibu is the Getty Villa, which is gorgeous and rich in history and art. Everyone I have taken there loves it.

One day trip that I really enjoy is going up to Solvang and Santa Barbara. The town of Solvang makes you feel like you’re no longer in Southern California but immersed in Dutch culture. Santa Barbara is a charming city by the ocean, making it a great summer escape from LA.

Being vegan, I am thankful for the abundance of vegan options in SoCal. Little Tokyo is definitely a must, with places that serve both regular ramen and vegan ramen to accommodate everyone.

For a fully vegan and upscale experience, my favorite restaurant is Gracias Madre. It’s located in West Hollywood (they have other locations) and is a Mexican-inspired vegan restaurant with an elevated dining experience. The customer service, food, and atmosphere there all receive a perfect 10/10 rating.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
I want to give a shoutout to two important people in my life: my mom and my boyfriend Harlan. They have consistently shown their unwavering support for my goals and dreams. Their sole desire is to see me happy, no matter which path I choose, and having their support means everything to me.

Website: thelilacskies.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shopthelilacskies/

Image Credits
First and Only Picture Credit (of me in a white dress) is: Khiamma Ptah