Interview with Faustine Wilson of
Survival Pride in Sylva, NC
By: Mackensie Jimison
God’s Compass
Meaning of Survival Pride
“Survival” is key and having “Pride” in who you are in every aspect of life is necessary to be strong in this world. Not being a part of the crowd but standing out from the crowd! Your imperfections become your perfections we can be proud of everything that we are! Having faith in a higher power and knowing everything happens for a reason!
Interview questions:
- Tell me a little bit about how you started Survival Pride, sort of an overview? Survival Pride is a tragedy to triumph story because of my Big Bro dying in 2004. A memorial shirt in his honor designed and printed by me for my mother in 2007 was unlikely beginnings of Survival Pride. After thousands of people asking for a t-shirt with the logo design on the back of a t-shirt. I made the brand official in 2008.
- Could you give me some examples to illustrate the challenge you faced in starting Survival Pride? The government documents were a pain but the biggest challenge was figuring out design scheduling and release dates for collections. In the fashion and clothing business you need to time release with production schedule because normally you’re designing 6 months to a year ahead of whatever season you’re in.
- When problems arise, how did you resolve them? Don’t look at problems as problems but a situation that needs attention. Normally analyze the situation and find the best solution for to resolve it. Making sure it’s resolved in a way that no more issues will arise at a later date. No temporary solutions but permit ones.
- How have the experiences that you have had during your entire career influenced the way you now run your own company? Life has taught me many lessons that I apply to my brand from everyone is family to me and Survival Pride does not just have customers but extended family. I don’t see people as just people but their incredible journey in life that we get to hear these eye opening stories that impact us. That they said the messages on our clothing is exactly how they see life. Through those stories we tell them through clothing for triumph in life.
- When someone joins your company, how do you orient them as a member of your team? Join the S.P. team there is one important thing to know and that’s what Survival Pride means to you, the true meaning S.P., knowing how to talk to customers about our brand and know the designs. Being able to answer the one of the biggest questions we get and that’s what does the logo mean?
- How do you motivate and reward people? We have company get-togethers from bowling fun to cookouts. It’s important to let your team know you appreciate their hard work. We reward team members with free S.P. clothing, buying lunches and all team members get discount on everything in the flagship store.
- How do you select people to join your company? Positive attitude towards life is a must. We have an application form that asks life & brand questions to answer in their view point. Must blend well with me and the rest of the team, must meet them and give opinion.
- How are things going in your company in general, right now: are you hiring, downsizing, or “staying as you are” in terms of your company’s workforce; are sales up, down, or flat? My brand is doing good and planning expansion in the next 2 yrs. Sales are off because of the movie being shot in downtown Sylva but things will change back normal in a few weeks hopefully.
- How do you keep up with best practices in your industry? Trade shows, general combination with people in the industry and research.
- Could you describe a typical day? Each day is scheduled out and dedicated to different aspects of Survival Pride:
Open the flagship (every day)
Call store that carry Survival Pride clothing about orders (weekly)
Help store customer traffic (every day)
Design clothing and work w/ team (every day)
Review quickbooks (Monday’s)
Research and development (Tuesdays)
Schedule Social Media posts (every day)
Schedule events and pop shops in different areas (Wednesday’s)
Make employees schedules (Tuesday’s)
Ship online orders (Thursday’s and Mondays)
- How did you first enter your line of work? Designing a shirt in honor of my Big Bro (Creighton Casey)
- What advice would you give to someone who was considering starting their own business? Make sure do your research in the area you’re wanting to open the business. Know the challenges you will have before you have to face them. So you will be more prepared for everything that happens in your business.
- How do you keep up with current events in your industry, and as a business person in general? Trade shows are great to keep up with the latest. Research events that apply to your business.
- What kind of formal education and additional specialized training would you recommend that a person should acquire to enter into a profession like yours? If you’re truly wanting a clothing brand or lifestyle brand you need to have some graphic design training as well as screening printing knowledge.
- What did you have to do to get your business started? For example taking out a loan, getting investors, or using your own savings? My brand developed and grew too big for the home office. I would my flagship and Best Buy for the first year of the store open to make sure funds were always available. Didn’t take out any loans or anything everything was paid with my own money.
- How long did it take you to plan your business before you were able to start up? 3 to 6 months
- How did/do you promote your business? Facebook ads, all social media platforms, billboards, sponsoring athletes, sponsoring bands, contests/giveaways and having events.
- Do you have any business partners or have you ever considered having a partner? Have no business partners and have not considered it.
- Do you plan to expand your business and if so what is your plan to accomplish that? Yes, expanding and in the middle of the expansion plan as we speak. Research best locations to put next flagship store based on online customer sales and environment of locations. That is just two of the ways we are going about it.
- Did you ever think of selling the business or passing it down? Passing it down
- Does social media play a role in marketing your business? For example facebook, linkedin, etsy, blogs or your own webpages? Yes, Facebook and Instagram play a big role in marketing because of the era we live in. Our website is huge part of marketing and sales.
- What other marketing strategies do you use to promote your business and draw in customers? Word of mouth, yelp, pop up events, and sponsoring events.
- Are you happy with your business? What are some things that you might have done differently? Yes, I’m happy with Survival Pride as a business and brand. Maybe finding a better location but not even location but upgrading the design of the flagship store soon.
