By Terry L. Watson Photos by Angelique Walker Angelique Walker of Memphis, TN is a strong, God fearing, fearless, hard working woman. She is also a wife, mother, daughter, sister and friend and loves designing clothes, and making her own lane and rules. Originally from Milwaukee, Wisconsin she migrated to Memphis in hopes of making her impression in both business and personally. Business wise, she has made her mark as the owner of 1 of 1 by Jolie, and fashion boutique that specializes in creating quality and luxury denim pieces for the everyday woman. “I cater to women who are petite and curvy. I provide a service that every women can love,” she says.
inside me to never give up and keep going regardless of the challenges that come. My children keep me humble. They keep me human,” Angelique shares. Moving forward, there are plans to have a boutique on wheels in 2021. The demographics change so much in Memphis and having a mobile store will create a change of scenery and a different way of shopping for Angelique. “We are now looking into manufacturing h jeans in an effort to eliminate all pre orders,” she says.
There is no coincidence how Angelique’s career started. While she was working in the ladies shoe department for Dillards in 2013. “There was a huge event that was taking place in Memphis at the time. I seen a lot of women purchasing the same pieces, from dresses to shoes. I wanted to go to the event as well but I wanted to wear something no one else had,” she shares. She’d always been obsessed with Beyoncé, and was fond of a red Robert Cavalli dress the star wore to the 2009 MTV VMA awards. She decided to make that same dress but in white, with custom shoes to match. The day after Angelique shares who people began messaging her on Facebook, asking where how to order the same things. As a result, 1 of 1’s by Jolie was born on July 20, 2013. In 2020, her husband, officially became her business partner. “He’s everything. He keeps up with all invoices and books. We are a team and I owe everything to him,” she shares. Some of her clients include Cardi B, Taraji P. Henson, Issa Rae, Lil’ Mama, Keyshia Kior, Zendaya Justina Skye, Young Dolph, Tae Heckard, and Karen Civil. For Angelique, her connection to fashion is genuine. “I love that people love what I create. I try my best to stay authentic and make my own fashion trends and I believe the success of my business is directly tied to my creativity. I try to do the opposite of what everybody else is doing and it always works for me. I try my best to create a piece that will get stares all night, and in a good way,” she says. Like most other businesses, Angelique has faced her share of challenges as well. One is learning to say no and being organized. “I had to learn that the hard way. I gain local attention fast and global attention so after mainly due to social media. My inability to say no during the moments when I couldn’t keep up with demand caused my customer service to plummet. I always tell people I never got the chance to learn how to operate my business as a business. I just knew how to make clothes and that was it. I did everything by myself, from making clothes, shipping, to answering emails. I failed miserably. It took me almost seven years to realize I was in my own way. I finally have help and a team of people who are eager and willing to help me grow,” she says. One might ask what motivates this ambitious and outgoing woman. “My children are my drive. I have a three year old son and a one year old daughter. I want to give my business to them when they are of age. They created this competitiveness
www.shopjolie.net Shop Jolie 1138 N. Germantown Parkway - Suite 101-189 Cordova, TN 38106
11
