Why Mikaela Pabon Is Dressed in Joy
Meet Mikaela Pabon, a busy mother of two who runs a fashion line called Vêtu de Joy. We asked her about her online fashion store and her advice for other "boss women."
1. What's it like being a boss woman and running your own business?
Mikaela: "Over the summer, early in my pregnancy, I almost quit. I just thought I couldn't do it anymore, that I'd lost the love for it. That lasted a day and then I realized that I still had a passion for my business. I really love it. I love that women are excited about what they see in my shop. They can't find these pieces in any of the other online shops."
2. What advice would you give to other women starting out:
Mikaela: "Don't think about too much about it. Just do it. You're not going to move forward if you try to get all of the knowledge first. Stop reading all the books, taking all the free webinars, reading all the articles and just start. Start where you are."
3. What's been your biggest achievement so far?
Mikaela: "I think that other people see the shop and think that it's doing so well but I still feel like I'm still in the beginning stages. Sometimes I need to step back and see myself as other people see me. I don't always see it."
4. How do you manage with two kids and a full-time job?
Mikaela: "My husband is very supportive and he also works in fashion. So whether it's a pop-up shop, and he's my right hand at the event, or he's giving me marketing advice, it's really awesome to have someone who fully supports my dreams."
5. How did you come up with the name of your company?
Mikaela: "Vêtu de – means 'dressed in' – when I started shopping for the store, I gravitated more toward printed pieces and realized prints just make me happy, and I wanted other women to feel the same joy. So for me, dressing in joy means dressing in prints (and Joy is my middle name) I made that the name of my shop."
Here are our top four Spring picks from Vêtu de Joy:
C/meo Collective Hold On Skirt - Fig Floral
C/meo Collective Perfect Timing Knit Top
C/meo Collective Have It All Dress
Vêtu de Joy Somerset Valley Jumpsuit
Alicia's Intuition
In my opinion, Alicia Olatuja has the voice and range similar to the late Whitney Houston, Adele, CeCe Winans and Amy Winehouse. Yep, she is of their caliber. Call me biased if you wish, but I am quite confident you will agree when you listen to her songs.
She recently took time, while on tour, to discuss her upcoming second project, her likes and dislikes, as well as her concert at Kumble Theater in Brooklyn on March 10. Grab a cup of coffee or a glass of wine and join our conversation.
1. Favorite Food? Ice Cream
2. Favorite Netflix Guilty Pleasure? "Supernatural"
3. What did you want to be when you grew up? A veterinarian
4. Embarrassing moment? When I was a little kid my mother used to make me put baby powder in my underwear. One day i used too much and after sitting on the floor during children's story at my church I got up and there was a baby powder butt print on the carpet. I had to stomp it out to get rid of it. Mortifying ... and hilarious.
5. Do you have a bucket list? If so, what are 3 of the items on it? Not really. I'm immortal. Lol!
6. What is your dream venue to sing in? Wherever Oprah is.
7. Favorite Cereal? Does oatmeal count? If not, Lucky Charms.
8. How old is Puma? (Puma is Alicia's cat, whom I feel has watched me grow up) 13 going on ... Methuselah.
9. Favorite cartoon when you were a child? Muppet Babies.
10. Favorite singer now? Hmmm ... I don't know. Me? Lol!
11. What inspired you to begin writing a second album? I wanted to do an album that championed and celebrated women composers. What better time for such a project than now!
12. What has God revealed to you in this particular writing process? We have to give ourselves permission to be recognized and celebrated, to believe that we are worth being seen and heard as artists, as individuals, and as women.
13. How did you feel after you reached your goal with your crowdfunding campaign? I felt an overwhelming abundance of gratitude and a responsibility to make the most of the opportunity made possible for me by so many generous hearts and believers in my work.
14. Can you again explain the meaning of your album title, Intuition? The extended title of my upcoming album is Intuition - Songs from the Minds of Women. When people think of the word intuition, they usually associate it with a women's internal awareness and emotional instinct. And yes, women are known to be equipped with emotional intelligence. But it is also equally important to recognize and celebrate the intellect and work that women do. This work expands and greatly impacts the artistic world and the world as a whole. We are both emotional and intellectual beings, creating work that is powerful and valid.
15. What is different about this album, as opposed to your first? The subject matter is very different but also my first album Timeless represented where I was in my life then. So much has changed and I've grown a lot as an individual. I believe that growth is reflected in the song selections, arrangements, and compositions of Intuition.
16. What are you enjoying most about your current tour? I love watching how powerful of a unifying force music is. When I travel from North to South, from overseas to across country people respond to the music relatively the same, because we all just want to be happy, feel loved and hopeful for the future. When the people surrender themselves over to the music, to the moment, they leave all the divisive things in life at the door and just enjoy the music and one another. It's the same love everywhere we go and it's beautiful to watch. Kind of makes you wonder who's really the audience, who's watching who. Lol!
17. What is it that you hope to accomplish through your music? I hope to make people's lives more enriched. I want to pass on something positive to the listener that can grow and influence them and others in a positive way.
18. What current issue definitely needs to be addressed in this country? Wow. So many. I think we need to find a way to remove the things that separate us and divide and classify us in order to find the unifying elements that makes us aware of our commonality, our need for vulnerability and dependency on one another.
19. What were your thoughts on Black Panther? I loved it. It was very powerful to see such excellence and positive representation in the cast. I was especially blown away by being able to see in a sense what an African civilization would have looked like if it were not a victim of colonization.
20. Are you a reader? If so what was the last book you read? I love reading! Taltos.
21. What is your favorite restaurant in St. Louis? I don't have one.
22. What was it like singing background on Gregory Porter's "Take Me To The Alley"? What is the meaning of that song? Gregory is a gentle giant with a humble spirit and just a beautiful demeanor. It was such an honor working with him. We laughed a lot and the music was very organic so I didn't have to do much, just follow his lead.
23. What artist do you dream of collaborating with? I dream of working with those who highlight the importance of tending to the lost, lowly, the downtrodden and ones in need as being exemplary of a great leader and individual, not the flaunting and abuse of riches and power.
24. For your upcoming concert, what are you looking forward to most? I'm looking forward to sharing new tunes from the upcoming album with audience members who may never have heard of me or come to one of my shows before but especially with people who have supported me and my music since day one. For those people who have my first album and have stood by me through this musical journey, I want them to be the first people to hear the new tunes and continue on this journey with me. My New York family means so much to me! ♡
Alicia Olatuja will be in concert at Kumble Theater in Brooklyn this Saturday, March 10th at 8pm on behalf of Brooklyn Center For The Performing Arts. Tickets are available at here.
- by Kendolyn Walker, Wit + Grace Music Editor
Women Who Rock: Harlem
The first-ever Women Who Rock live music showcase with artists Cherie, Bethsaida, Madina Cury and Liz Vice, sponsored by City Love NYC and wit + grace Magazine, at Silvana Harlem on January 18, 2018.
Five Iconic Styles Every Woman Should Own
Is fashion modern? New York's Museum of Modern Art (MOMA) explores the present, past and future of 111 items of clothing that have impacted the last two centuries. After visiting the exhibit, we picked our top five iconic styles that every woman should own. Plus, we threw in a few honorable mentions that are changing history.
1. Little Black Dress
The little black dress has evolved over the years. Historically, black clothing was worn to mourn the dead but it wasn't until 1926 when Coco Chanel made it famous and it's been in style ever since.
2. Structured Pants Suit
Wearing pantsuits were once illegal for women. Now the iconic style is seen everywhere from the boardroom to the pulpit. It's power is undeniable and so is the woman brave enough to rock one.
3. Trench Coat
The trench coat was originally an item of clothing for Army officers who were in the "trenches" of during World War I. It was designed to be waterproof and generally has a removable lining. Since then, it has become an iconic style thanks to fashion houses like Burberry.
4. Pencil Skirt
The first pencil skirt was designed by Christian Dior as part of his “H-Line” collection of 1954, and it emphasized the waist to the hip, tailoring the skirt to curve over the hip and narrow towards the knee. Since the Mid 50’s, the pencil skirt has become a staple of working wardrobes and variations include the wrap skirt and the miniskirt.
5. For the Culture
Authenticity should be woven into the fabric of our lives and it can be expressed by rocking a sari, dashiki or a kimono. Special mentions include the headscarf, the turban and other headgear that protects the hair from unfavorable conditions.
Run, don't walk to this exhibit which closes on January 28.
Beauty In the Weeds
Since February of this year, Liz Vice tunes have been my regular rotation on Spotify. My mother’s church was playing Empty Me Out as background music before the service started. My ears immediately tuned in and I asked Momma, “What song is this? Who sings it?” I soon started listening to Liz’s album and tried to find out all that I could about the Portland native.
By Kendolyn Walker
“Ah… another brown girl.” Liz Vice said with contentment when we found each other near Brooklyn Bridge Park in Brooklyn, New York. We made our way to FEED Cafe on Water Street and settled in for our interview.
Since February of this year, Liz Vice tunes have been in my regular rotation on Spotify. My mother’s church was playing Empty Me Out as background music before the service started. My ears immediately tuned in and I asked Momma, “What song is this? Who sings it?” I soon started listening to Liz’s album and tried to find out all that I could about the Portland native. When I found out she had recently moved to Brooklyn, I immediately reached out for an interview.
As we sat down sipping coffee and tea in the cafe, Liz spoke of Portland, music, the times we live in and her relationship with God. She was gracious and transparent right from the start. I soon put away my prepared list of questions and just listened. Here’s what she had to say:
“Freedom is scary.”
I love NYC. It’s hard not to. I love the diversity of brown people. Yet, as I reach the one year mark of being here, I feel an ache. I feel an ache to go back to where I was known. I feel a longing to go back to my “Egypt,” my place of comfort, where, even as I stood out and everyone knew me, I felt enslaved to who I thought I was because of what people told me I was. What I allowed myself to believe about myself. Does that make sense? Even though I was once called "a different kind of black girl," I could at least walk into any place in Portland without having to tell my story. And although I felt like I couldn’t breathe a lot of times because of people’s caricatures and ideas, comfort held me captive.
I think it is easier to be enslaved than it is to be free because freedom is scary for some reason. Freedom is not something everyone does well because it [is a choice that] gives you the ability to become enslaved in the first place. Sometimes feeling enslaved feels safe. Controllable.
In Portland, I felt like I was missing out on a part of myself. As a black woman, I dealt with questions and comments like “You're a different kind of black girl,” “You people and your attitudes,” and “they’re not treating you this way because you’re black. It’s in your head.” Comments and a journey of ill health and beyond led me to attend film school awhile back. I wanted to tell the bigger stories that exist about us. I wanted to make movies my niece could watch and say “that girl looks like me.”
Just sharing what is on my mind this week. I am a little less emotional now than I have been for the past couple of days.
On many occasions, a church I attended in Portland would preach about callings and walking in your purpose. I just knew I would learn, on those Sundays, that my calling was not music. Friends would come to me, wincing and bracing themselves, to share “You know, I think you should be singing.” I just didn’t want to do it.
One day my pastor said, “Liz, I have these songs, and I think they are for you. I want to be selfish and keep them for myself but I think they belong to you.” So we recorded a full album, two years after my pastor told me these songs “belonged to you.” I didn’t have management. We had an album release show at a local venue and sold out in 10 days. The venue booker then asked me to open up for Cody Chestnut. Each show opened up another door.
After attending an artist retreat, I met a man who believed I had the gift of song. I would meet in his office once a week for three months during the day and he would give me exercises to help me write songs.
“Hey, would you be interested in leading worship at our church?”
I knew the wife of the pastor I currently work with in Brooklyn. When he first reached out to me about becoming a worship leader for a church plant, I said no. I did not want to work for a church. Yet, no matter how frustrated I got or how I tried to run from using my gift of music, I was more committed to the mission of love, grace, mercy, and hope. I had to see beyond myself and practice seeing people the way Jesus sees them by using my gift of music to bring people of all backgrounds together.
So, I now lead worship. After a year I said yes. I am learning to feel safe in a church setting there and have learned to give myself the grace to do something I never wanted to do because it’s new and uncomfortable to grow and learn to lead as you lead.
“I told God I wouldn’t do another record unless He gave me the songs.”
ME: God, don’t you see what is happening in the world? Have mercy, have compassion.
GOD: What are you going to do about it? You are my hands and feet right now. What are you going to do about it?
What is my little black voice going to do for change? I don’t want to sound like an angry black woman, but I am. I am mad and disgusted, but that is the very essence of compassion; an issue hits you so hard in the gut, you feel sick if you don’t do something about it. I don’t have a million dollars to fix Puerto Rico, rebuild homes in Houston or provide therapy to those affected by the Paris terrorist attacks, but I can write songs. I can provide a space for people to gather and not think about how a person is different from them. I don’t want one to be color blind though. I actually hate that term. I want you to see my black face and I want to see what makes you different from me, what makes me beautiful.
I have been sad, and I am licking my wounds as I continue to see the trouble in the world around us. So again I question.
ME: God where are you?
GOD: Hello, I put my Spirit in you so you can be my hands and feet and my mouthpiece. What are you gonna do? How are you gonna show up in this?
These are things I think about before I go to bed at night.
How do I use my Blackness-Jesus-loving privilege to sing songs of hope? Even as I might sound vintage to one person, I am singing songs of Light. I am not trying to save you, I am trying to let you see the light that is in you.
If your gift is to write, then you need to write about these things. If your gift is to sing, sing about the issues that you want to change the most. If your gift is to dance, dance about the things you are most compassionate about. Rise up out of the ashes and show us something beautiful.
I can’t tell if this album fits the genre of typical artists. But I feel like… well, I am not trying to compete.
ME: Hey, I am just gonna start singing over here, if you want to join feel free. You might have to buy a ticket, but anyone can come.
I don’t feel like I am in competition. That has not been my story. It’s actually really awkward for me to be on stage.
ME:Why do I do this to myself?
I get nervous before every show and am definitely not the singer who feels as though they were made to perform.
My album is getting there. It’s close to being finished. I don’t feel comfortable with this statement. It’s definitely going be different from the first record. One song I included was a track I used to sing at age 15. This song is my foundation.
I decided that if I am going to take this calling seriously, I need to meet with people who are willing to write songs with me to articulate these feelings that I have. I decided that I am just going to show up.
One of my producers shared a story with me that left a lasting impression. Before he lived in his house, the backyard had weeds hip-high. There was a next-door neighbor whom the previous homeowner had befriended. Every day she would sit on the fire escape and throw seeds into his backyard. When he asked why she did that, his future neighbor responded: “I just want to see a little beauty amongst the weeds.” This neighbor soon passed away. When my friend moved into the house, he soon began clearing the weeds out of his backyard so that he could build a patio or deck. He came upon some flowers and wondered if the flowers just might have come from his neighbor’s seeds. The woman wanted to see some color amongst the weeds. When I think of this story, it reminds me of what I think we are supposed to do. We are not the heroes of this world but we can add some color to this mess.
So I have this call on my life, to bring people together. I am learning to surrender.
ME: If this is what You’ve called me to do, then I’m in. I don’t know what’s behind the door of each new morning but I’m in.
And that is me throwing seeds to see some beauty in the weeds.
Off-The-Record Quotes from liz vice
3 - “Can you cry to your own voice?”
2 - “And that leads me to A Handmaid’s Tale.”
1 - “...when all you want to do is stay in bed and watch Keeping Up With the Kardashians or The Only Way is Essex.”
Velvet and Pleats and Patches ...Oh My: Fall Lookbook 2017
Fall quietly made its appearance a few weeks ago when temperatures dropped in the Northeast. If you're a true fashionista, this excited you for one reason and one reason alone: fall fashion.
Fall quietly made its appearance a few weeks ago when temperatures dropped in the Northeast. If you're a true fashionista, this excited you for one reason and one reason alone: fall fashion. We've curated some of the best trends from the Fall 2017 Runway collection from boots, bombers, velvet, pleats, collars and more in this edition of our Fall Lookbook.
VELVET PLAYGROUND
"What is that ... velvet?" Back in the 90's when velvet ruled the world and chokers were in style ... oh wait, it's 2017 and these trends, which were spotted down the runway in 2015, are here to stay. Everything from velvet blazers, dresses and backpacks are sending dry cleaning bills through the roof. Here are some hot velvet trends this fall.
YOU COM'PLEAT' ME
Pleats are back this season in a big and bold way. You'll see them in new bold colors like electric blue and remixed with velvet and other textures. The midi skirt is by far the most common way to wear pleats but you'll also find them mixed in with ruffles and lace on pants, blouses, and dresses.
'BLOODY' MOVES
This attention-grabbing color is synonymous with fire, blood, and the cross so if you want to make moves this season, do it in red.
PATCH MADAMS
Patches are a fun way to give new life to a denim jacket, dress, or backpack, plus this trend is rated DIY for Do It Yourself. Save money and order custom patches from retail sites such as Amazon, e-bay and if you're feeling extra saved, through a bible verse or two in the mix along with a cross and praying hands emoji. #blessed
'COLLAR' ME BAD
If you are the member of the "Modest is Hottest" fan club, the Victorian collar trend making its way down the runway will not disappoint. The high collar style pays homage to the 19th-century era with an updated twist that includes lace and sheer detailing.
Life of Leah
I had the pleasure of sitting with singer Leah Smith about a month ago and just catching up on life. She was in town with her siblings for the City Love NYC show in Harlem.
by Kendolyn Walker
Editor’s Note: I had the pleasure of sitting with singer Leah Smith about a month ago and just catching up on life. She was in town with her siblings for the City Love NYC show in Harlem. We enjoyed talking about family, music and specifically her new album being released later this year. I have loved her voice and talent for years, so my delight about her upcoming project is hopefully contagious as you enjoy reading her thoughts on the many roles she plays and how she handles them along with staying true to her passion.
Being A Mother
“It’s a lifestyle.”
Leah Smith uses this term to describe her role as a mother of two toddlers. She enjoys being able to stay home with them, but in total transparency declares that it’s work. They truly keep her busy. Her parents and in-laws are not far from Leah’s Pennsylvania home, so they are a huge support to her and her husband as she manages her career. This is helpful currently as her husband travels from time to time for work. She empathizes as I discuss my own sister’s experiences with mothering a one and three-year-old.
In seven years, she got married and gave birth to two children, back to back. “We didn’t plan the pregnancies,” she admits. In absolute transparency, she shares about immediately beginning a natural family planning course. Natural family planning, also known as fertility awareness is a collection of methods using your body’s natural functioning to determine the days of the month you are most likely to get pregnant (www.americanpregnancy.org). With everything from using thermometers, scheduling, and charting body functions, this process requires discipline. “It’s not who I am,” Leah states. “I never paid to continue the course and then soon after, I got pregnant. I said this would happen.”
And happen it did. Keeping the gender a surprise until birth, she and her husband, AJ, had a beautiful baby girl. Leah still performed the occasional show though. I remember her daughter coming to a gig at The Bitter End as a baby, and waiting patiently in the green room for Mommy’s performance to end.
Inspiration From Life and Her Village
Leah’s journals serve as muses for her song lyrics. “I’m a journal-er,” she says. Writing about her thoughts, significant (or less than significant) events, friends, and family provide the backdrop and easel for songs to be created.
Along with her family constantly supporting her music efforts, Brandon Camphor, a close friend, and fellow artist comes to mind as someone who is a loud voice in her village. “Brandon would call out of the blue when I am just around the house in slippers, breastfeeding my baby girl,” she recalls. “Leah, you still gotta put out music,” he said. “Certain people dig into your heart,” she continues. Dave James, another close friend and artist, produced most of her upcoming album. “He would tell me ‘Leah your stuff is good. You gotta put it out there.’ These two artists were pushers," Leah admits. She is not a self-promoter so with family and friends like Brandon and Dave, who have given the extra prodding and encouragement when needed the most, Leah continues to walk in her purpose.
The Upcoming Project
I bring up her latest single, Pays The Rent, from her upcoming debut album to discuss how much I love the upbeat melody and appreciate the down-to-earth theme. Leah chose Pays The Rent to be the first single because it was upbeat and fun. Even though it was a heavy message, “people like money songs,” she states. Leah shares with me that she wrote it for herself, based on her own desires and dreams. She wanted and still wants music to be a career that pays the bills. “Money is a necessary evil,” she remarks. In talking about this, we laughed as she spoke of ending up in a homeless shelter if the income pressures were to be solely on her. Her social media fans chose her second single Numb when she put it up for voting a few months ago.
Leah begins to share a little more about her feelings surrounding her album, slated to be released this month. She says, “I feel like I am coming out of nowhere. I have been silent for about seven years. I got married and had two kids back-to-back. This album is a long time coming and has a lot hinging on it. We either put this out, and it’s a stepping stone or I drop everything to become a librarian. THERE IS NOTHING WRONG WITH THAT as it still pays the rent. I still have two children.” The album has a title, but Leah shares “I don’t want to release the name of the project just yet.”
Leah’s music makes me happy. I share this description with her, and she responds “Really?” I confirm, and we begin to discuss another track I love. Talk Too Much is another real, honest song. People, men, and women alike do it. Many times without thinking or taking a moment of wisdom to determine if thoughts are worth verbalizing.
Ordinary Girl speaks of the validation women sometimes need from external sources, and sometimes internal. Jasmine Sullivan’s Mascara was the impetus for Leah’s song. Leah feels very strongly about Ordinary Girl as it was the last track recorded. She believes the message is artistic and good. “I hope it connects to women on that deeper level,” Leah says.
In my opinion, Ordinary Girl, along with Leah’s music in general, does just that.
Lightning Round
KW: Favorite movie.
LS: Parent Trap with Lindsay Lohan. I have a heart attachment to it.
KW: Favorite color.
LS: Red. I am wearing my favorite color!
KW: What is an issue in this country that needs…
LS: White privilege.
Leah Smith’s debut album will be available on music platforms later this year. You can keep up with all of her updates by following @leahsmithmusic on Twitter and Instagram.
Meet the Woman Behind the Brand: Johana Hernandez
Meet Johana Hernandez, a 30-something designer who is living out her faith in the world of fashion. We sat down with the GLAUDI Woman designer to find out how she became a fashion designer and why her faith is her driving force.
Meet Johana Hernandez, a 30-something designer who is living out her faith in the world of fashion. We sat down with the GLAUDI Woman designer to find out how she became a fashion designer and why her faith is her driving force.
Did you always want to be a fashion designer? I never knew that I was going to be a fashion designer. I lived in Compton for 27 years. I never knew that I could be a designer but I kept on getting opportunities in the fashion world. I was always around fashion because my mom used to work behind the scenes sewing clothes. Her friend recommended that I go to an interview for a fashion merchandising job. I was so happy to go and be there. I said yes to everything even when I didn't know how to do them. I love clothes and making people feel good about themselves.
How long did it take you? It took seven years. I became a head designer at 22 and I started the GLAUDI brand at 24 in response to an event for women in El Salvador. The response was so great that I decided to continue. I think it’s just God. You just have to trust in God and when he opens the door you have to walk thru it.
Do you have any special training that has prepared you for your career? I went to school at the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising.
What do you wish you would have known when you started? I wished I understood the legal side of opening a business. There are a lot of things that I wished I knew – now I have lawyers and a team of people who help me.
Are there any political or social issues you feel passionately about? My parents grew up in a poor town in El Salvador. My grandmother built a Christian school and then when they need money to fix the roof of the school and orphanage, my mom was able to give money back to kids. I love working with organizations like World Vision kids for that reason.
What advice would you give to someone just starting to dream or embark on their journey of building a business? Be sure to know who your customer is – it's not about making everyone happy but designing with your customer in mind.
Who has helped you the most during your professional career? There have been multiple people along the way but my brother Edwin helped me to take my business to a new new level. He helped me to be more structured and serious.
Did you have a model or person whom you aspired to be as a youth? I never had any idols, I looked up to God to ask what he wanted me to do.
What's the newest, freshest approach you are bringing to your fashion line? We design specifically for a woman who is a leader and not afraid to stand out. We don’t follow trends, we want women with style and customize for the women who want to feel good about themselves without showing too much skin. The GLAUDI Woman is always a leader.
Name one thing about you that most people don't know. I’m really transparent but most people don’t know that I'm a hopeless romantic.
Best compliment you've ever received? When people talk about my designs they'll say, "I thought I could never afford it but I've saved up for it." That means a lot to me.
Where do you see yourself in five years? I never thought of those things before but I do dream of having family and kids. I know that God will do it at the right time.
GLAUDI Bridal Collection 2017
How do you keep a healthy work/life balance? It’s hard. Sometimes I have a great life balance and sometimes I don’t have time for fitness and my faith. My job is my lifestyle and I'm learning to better balance work and everything else. Right now, I'm reading Be Humble, Stay Hungry and Always Hustle by Brad Lomenick and it's really helping me find that balance. He's the guy that started Catalyst and then took a sabbatical.
What comes easiest to you as a designer? Ideas - I've always had them. However, learning how to transform them into reality takes time.
Favorite weekend activity? Hiking, outdoors, looking out at the stars and beach – anything outdoors. And horseback riding – I've always dreamt of buying a horse.
What’s a verse of scripture that means the most to you and why? Matthew 6:4 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own. Also, Psalm 1:3 - That person is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither - whatsoever they do prospers. It reminds me to be still and trust in God. Also that God will help me be fruitful.
What is most rewarding about your job; what makes it all worthwhile? I love making people feel good about themselves. I want every woman to feel beautiful and confident. I also want to use my platform to my faith with the world.
Learn more about Johana at http://www.glaudicollection.com/ or follow her on instagram: @glaudicollection