Conversations with the Inspiring Jasmine Box

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jasmine Box.

So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I grew up in Phoenix, Arizona, not exactly the fashion capitol of the world, with a single mother of four. So, fashion or keeping up with trends was the least of worries for my mother. But that didn’t prevent me from thinking about life in cool clothes or doing everything possible to purchase what I wanted. I remember getting a summer job at Auntie Anne’s Pretzels, at just 15, for the benefit of purchasing my own clothes before going back to high school; if I could work for what I wanted, I was going to do it.

Clothing was a big deal in high school. I remember my friends and I would daydream about being rich & famous one day so that we could buy all the clothes and shoes we desired. In school, the kids who were considered “cool“, had the latest shoes and clothes to match. It didn’t even matter if they were smart or if they were a good person. Kids only cared about how you looked. For that, It was easy to feel like you didn’t fit in.

My junior year of high school, I took a basic sewing class as an elective because I wanted to attempt making my own clothes. But that class wasn’t as extensive as I had hoped. I can recall learning how to thread a sewing machine, make a tote bag and a pair of pajama shorts. Far from what I was trying to. I didn’t own a sewing machine, so my sewing in high school was short-lived but was a pillar in disguise. At the time, I had no idea how fundamental that class would be in helping me build confidence, to get to where I am today.

Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Designing has not been a smooth road. In fact, I found that it’s very hard coming up with your own creative ideas. I once thought I was ready to launch a website for my brand Box Originals, however, I wasn’t all the way satisfied nor happy with the product I was putting out. The pieces were nothing but recreations of other designer outfits which is NOT what Box Originals stood for. So, I paused on launching a website, studied color, different style trends, sewing techniques & played with different fabrics. I eventually revamped my whole collection to head-turning pieces that I would wear. These pieces were unique, one of a kind and set me apart from any crowd I was in.

My advice to those just getting started in their journey would be to have a business plan and to normalize their failures and struggles, all while staying positive. For every success/accolade that you reach, share a failure to help others know that they too can overcome. Also, ask for help, I have a hard time doing this but do ask. There are so many people willing to help support your cause and be on your team.

What should we know about Box Originals? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
Box Originals receives orders for completely exclusive, one of a kind, trendy and sometimes personalized clothing for all occasions. We are known for our creative children’s clothing. I have created custom birthday dresses, Jr. bridesmaid dresses, tutus, Easter dresses, personalized t-shirts, jumpsuits, coming home onesies, mixed coordinates and so much more for children. Outside of children’s clothing, I have also tailored tuxedos and designer prom dresses.

Box Originals pieces cannot be found in stores as they are hand made and created especially for our customers. I try to put as much personality and individuality into each outfit that I create for someone. Box Originals clothing allows our customers to be original with their ideas and express themselves through clothing. No one person is the same so we shouldn’t dress the same either.

Box Originals clothing is limited in quantity. It’s truly clothing that is designed for those who enjoy setting themselves apart from the crowd. It’s clothing for those who don’t want to fit in but want to stick out like a sore thumb. It’s clothing that not everyone will have access to.

Another specialty of Box Originals is bringing ideas to life. We believe that if you can dream it, then you can bring it to life. We create not only clothing but will assist with any creative aspect of a job. Outside of clothing, we have created Disney embroidery patches, we put together a princess carriage from PVC Pipe for the handicapped or differently abled, as I like to say. We have assisted with the planning of children’s parties and designed for Quinceaneras, weddings and other special events.

I am most proud to be inspiring originality, individuality, and creativity through clothing.

Looking back on your childhood, what experiences do you feel played an important role in shaping the person you grew up to be?
Growing up, I always wanted to help people, especially the underdogs. So, at 24, when I found work in a humanitarian environment where I was able to set up supervised visits between parents and children and sometimes mentor them, I thought I’d be there forever. I valued the people who needed help and treated them the same as I would the CEO of the company.

I would always come to work dressed for the FASHION GODS! Again, at the time, I loved my job and I was always taught to dress for the job that you want. So, I was overly friendly, helpful and willing to stay late or come early if need be. For reasons that you would never believe, I was let go from what I thought was a dream job due to my caliber and confidence in my being. I was hurt but more so shocked to see how & why I was let go and for those very reasons, I knew I was a person who was meant to inspire others to always be themselves, be kind and to stand out! I had a WHOLE CEO hating on me for being utterly me and not knowing all the possibilities I had going for myself.

It took me years to understand the significance of what happened when I lost that job. I was ready to commit my life to something I thought I wanted to do. But others were seeing me as someone much greater than I had ever seen myself. I wasn’t aware of my possibilities or my talents at the time. The loss of that job veered me into wanting to build a foundation of my own where I wasn’t being judged for being myself.

Contact Info:

• Phone: 520-595-8470
• Email: boxoriginals0@gmail.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/box_originals/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/BoxOriginals/

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