DESI ALLUMS dedicated to helping women feel unapologetically confident in their skin Ladies, let me introduce you to Desiree Allums, or as her friends call her, Desi. She has spent the last 15 years of her career dedicated to becoming a corporate trailblazer. She has won numerous awards for her servant leadership style and has taught others how to do the same. Yet, that is not what makes our newest inspiring Woman Entrepreneur magnetic. Desi Allums owns Asher Reed Boutique located inside Clayton House MarketPlace in Covington and will soon be opening her second location, July 10th, inside Redoux Home Market in Mandeville (you can also find them online at www. asherreed.com.) Her mission statement reads, “Asher Reed will help ALL women feel unapologetically confident in their skin.” This statement is a direct reflection of her as she exudes confidence in her own life. We met up with her in Covington this week to find out more about what drives her and how she is taking over the Northshore with her ability to inspire other women to join the self-love train. Q: Let’s talk more about your mission statement; Why is this important to you? DA: As a woman who is headed into 39, life happens. We become preoccupied with being perfect in so many other places in our lives that we tend to lose ourselves to everything we are supposed to value. This was me two years ago. Working 80 Hours a week, running my multiple businesses, helping run my household, and the list goes on. Then one day I looked in the mirror, and I didn’t love who I saw. I didn’t feel good in my skin. So I made a huge lifestyle change and applied a lot of self-development that taught me how to shift my mindset and take the time to take care of myself first. This brought on a whole new definition of self-love that I never knew could exist. It’s hard being a woman in a world that judges you, and then you judge yourself even harder. I wanted to build a brand that represented that we all are equally imperfect and yet perfect in our skin, and we should glow with confidence in who we are because there is only one you. Q: What makes your business unique? DA: As a plus-size woman who has done her share of crying in the dressing room, it was important to me to carry all clothing sizes for the real woman, and we are currently making this our
number one priority. The struggle in clothes is hard. Size 0 runs into the same problem as a size 3X woman. “They don’t have my size.” So, our first business goal is to ensure our brand can be a place where ALL women know they can come and shop. Q: What advice would you give other women who are contemplating opening their own business? DA: Fear kills more dreams than failure ever will. Leap, my girl! The worst that can happen is you fall and scrape your knee. You get back up, put a bandaid on it, and keep strutting in those Louboutin’s like the Queen you are. Q: Who is Desi Allums? DA: (Laughs) I hear my mom right now in my head saying, “Stay humble and don’t be braggy.” I think I have accomplished that; I always remember where my beginnings started, and I genuinely believe that is one of the reasons I am where I am today. I have preserved in life. With the odds stacked against me, I have risen out of the ashes. I am working on building the empire of my dreams. It is a legacy that is not just for my family and me but also for all women to know that it’s never too late to align your life with possibilities. Q: Best Advice that changed your life? DA: Be the 1% in everything you do. How you treat people, and how you show up for people. How you show up for yourself. How you pursue your dreams. How you live your life. JUST BE THE 1% 24/7 LOUISIANA WOMEN IN BUSINESS
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