We
were truly honored to interview such an amazing innovator and businesswoman Dr.
Ray, who is the founder of MiNudes. She is definitely opening doors and
setting the bar for other women of color. Check out our exclusive interview
below!
UM: You are the first African
American woman to own an apparel manufacturing company in the state of Hawaii!
How does it feel to be such an innovator paving the way for other women?
Dr. Ray: When I
come up with an idea I am never focused on being the pioneer in an endeavor, I
am just following my instructions for my assignments to the world. However,
each time that I have been obedient, the true purpose has been revealed. I am
honored, and humbled to have been chosen for this particular assignment. I am
now able to set up a job-training program for Native Hawaiian women who are
recently released from prison, considered low income and single parents. The
role of first was for these women to have an example.
UM: Tell us a little bit about
MiNudes, and how did you come up with the idea?
Dr. Ray: The
MiNudes collection was created out of shear need. The Lady Easewear shapewear
line was developed in fashion colors several years before the MiNudes
collection. The collection is to acknowledge that my nudes are not your nudes
and since your nudes are all that is available I can eliminate the ashy look
with colors that match my skin tones. women of all skin tones, brown, pink,
beige are asking me to develop their nudes as well. All women no matter the
skin tone would like to have an under garment that blended with their skin
tone. There is a universal call from all women to be apart of MiNudes.
UM: How hard was it to get your
company off the ground and to the level of success it has reached today?
Dr. Ray: Starting
a company or a new trend is always difficult. It is exceptionally difficult for
women of color and so painful when you have to use your own money. It has been
a painful build, but the perseverance from that leap of faith allows me to now
sit in the winners circle.
UM: What is most rewarding about
owning your own company, and what is most challenging about owning your own
company?
Dr. Ray: The
most rewarding is being able to start and leave a legacy. The legacy is my
responsibility for the gifts that I have received. The most challenging is to
introduce a new product to an audience who has established its loyalties to
other brands, especially if you're working out of your own purse. Other
challenges include establishing brand recognition, getting in front of people
like you (Thank You) and establishing customers. All of the issues are
challenging, but not impossible.
UM: Do you have any advice for
someone looking to start a manufacturing company?
Dr. Ray: Yes,
training, training, training. Consumers are oblivious to what it entails to
create a garment. The effort it takes to create the garment from a design and sewing
stand point have very little to do with manufacturing. Manufacturing is a
totally different beast from a seamstress or tailor producing one design and
subsequently one item. I am now a consultant for anyone with aspirations of
starting their own manufacturing company. In the Americas we tend to take
manufacturing for granted. We have ignored the fact that nobody walks around
naked. Even the people who are homeless have on some form of clothing. I invite
anyone wanting to start a manufacturing company, to join me in bringing jobs
back to the U.S. and sharing in a multi, multi trillion dollar industry.
UM: Where do you see your
company going in the next 5 years?
Dr. Ray: I and
my team are currently on a national campaign in the Americas, (again my sincere
thanks for this interview) to have every woman in our shapewear line and
collections. We will be headed into the
continent of Africa next year and from there a global reach to wherever women
allow us to "Shape Their Curves in Comfort"
UM: Some people may not know that your parent
company Lady Ease has created shirts for President Obama and First Lady
Michelle Obama, how was that experience to get recognition from them?
Dr. Ray: I can
sum the experience up as proud. President Obama called for action in bringing
manufacturing back to the U.S., I responded by following his instruction. I
will be equally proud when his shirts are in his museum/ library as having been
made by the first African American woman owned manufacturing company for the
first African American President in the state of his birth, Hawaii. Proud,
Proud, Proud.
While
I'm equally proud to have made dresses for Mrs. Obama and items for their
girls, my greatest pride is with his items. Why? She always gets may designers
and stylist to look after her and many have received that recognition. Him, the
President not so many, nobody really thought of him. That puts me in a pretty
exclusive group. Proud.
UM: For those looking to keep up
with your latest products, or endeavors, do you have a website and social media
links that you would like to share?
Dr. Ray: Yes, website- www.MiNudes.com, Twitter @
MiNudes and @lady_ease, Facebook MiNudes, Instagram minudes2015
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