Mia Ray, Founder of Glam Aholic Lifestyle
“No paid influencers, no running ads, no viral moments. Just me and you.”
The memo, shared by Mia Ray to her Instagram followers in July, reveals the secret behind the unprecedented success of the Glam-Aholic Lifestyle brand. Armed with a love of fashion, a mobile phone, and some extremely loyal followers, Ray disrupted the market and redefined the accessories industry.
Pieces typically range from $40 to $250, and Ray’s imaginative line of lifestyle bags is set to bring in $25 million to her business this year. Started in 2010 as a blog documenting the latest fashion and beauty trends, the brand continues to expand its product offerings, from luxury accessories to home décor and most recently, luggage.
Staying on top of the needs of its dedicated consumer base, Ray launched its own line of luggage in May 2022. When the collection dropped, affordable luxury sold out in less than 10 minutes of his sales, and the former full-time fashion and lifestyle blogger hit his $700,000 mark.
Less than 4% of black female entrepreneurs reach $1 million, so her multi-million dollar brand is an anomaly and shows no signs of slowing down. In her exclusive interview, Ray thoughtfully explained why her disruptive vision has grown exponentially over the years.
Customer Commitment
“I invest in my customers,” she replied when asked about the strategy to break the glass ceiling presented. A college dropout with no entrepreneurial experience, Ray started her Glam-Aholic Lifestyle blog in 2009. After spending a year on her blog not making much money, Ray used his $99 of his own funds to create Glam-Aholic’s first product samples.
From there, she offered interested readers pre-orders, and they paid $50 for each item that didn’t show up for another 30 to 45 days. “My readers have trusted me enough [to deliver]” Ray relied on what he knew about the market and the fashion and lifestyle industries to face his fear of starting a business. When discussing how to make customers feel seen and heard, Ray said he was able to “grab a seat right in the middle” of other notable fashion brands.
“I think a lot of people are focused on the product and completely miss who they’re talking to. We’ve filled the void of having something trendy, stylish, and affordable,” he said. Ray emphasized, “There were times when I missed the window of a woman who felt overlooked. I was that woman, so I knew how to solve common problems. I couldn’t afford it, but I wanted something a step up from Target handbags.”
relationships cultivated
“There are so many designers and luxury lines that sell a wide range of products, but I’ve never felt like I could afford it,” she explained. has resulted in a full line of quality items that consistently sell out. As she listened to the streets and kept an eye on the latest fashion trends, Ray discovered the key to her business success early on.
“I am a customer, so I always know what my customers want and need,” Ray confidently points out. “When it comes to my customer base, we talk like friends.” Her Glam-Aholic Lifestyle brand, made for everyday women, has made a name for itself as a cult following with amazing conversion rates. increase.
Ray has previously cited Kimora Lee Simmons, Beyoncé and Oprah as role models, but explained that he takes inspiration from some of the biggest moguls in the business world. , I’ve seen Oprah on every cover. It’s kind of my marketing.”
Ray’s relationship with his 184,000 Instagram followers is a glimpse into the spirit of a leader who values authentic connections and acts with unwavering trust. “I actually met my manufacturer through a friend of mine,” she revealed. “It’s been the same manufacturer for another 13 years.” is ready for a record-breaking launch and groundbreaking collaboration.
In March 2020, Ray partnered with fellow Detroit native Melissa Butler of The Lip Bar to launch the D Girl collection in a series of events in the heart of the city. Released on March 13th, and a nod to the city’s area code, Ray and Butler cemented their roots and commitment to the customers who have supported them from the beginning.
intimate storytelling
Having grown from one employee two years ago to nine employees this year, Ray shared that he sees his business as small but mighty. Her order count last year was just below her 100,000, but she says her team packs a “powerful punch.”
The rest of the heavy lifting is Ray’s excellent marketing campaign. As the face of the brand, Ray’s approachable consumer-to-consumer sales techniques have captured loyal fans into the rising business market. Last year, Glam-Aholic Lifestyle became the first fashion-based brand in history to shoot an ad inside Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW).
“Storytelling is very important because it helps customers feel more connected to the product,” says Ray of the continued success of the business. Speaking specifically about her luggage collection, she explained that it’s what she wants her followers to know.
Ray details how Glam-Aholic’s customers follow every step of the development process via her social media channels, regularly acting as a sounding board for many of her ideas. explained. A pivotal moment for her brand was almost three years ago when she decided to treat her Instagram Live as her own home her shopping her network. One hour she sold 13,000 units, and a few weeks later she sold almost a million in the same fashion, so it’s clear that Ray’s brand loyalty always begins with the seed of a story.
impeccable consistency
“I think what business owners need to understand is not to rush greatness,” says Ray. After he spent six years developing a line that sold out in minutes, the influential owner’s advice to ‘sit down on things’ makes the most sense. By deciding to do her one thing at a time, such as offering her style in a single bag available in multiple colors with each launch, Ray aims to target her audience with high quality products. Her focus on product offerings is an overall differentiator for her brand.
At the time of our conversation, Ray revealed that he was currently looking for ways to surpass the success of his latest collection, but didn’t seem too concerned about achieving it. “There’s some fire coming,” she said. “The essential items every woman needs.”
Consistency, authenticity, and dedication to her passion for the people she serves undoubtedly set Mia Ray apart as a top influential entrepreneur. Glam-Aholic Lifestyle emphasizes diversifying the brand with items that she knows her customers want, organically expanding into a one-of-a-kind inclusive luxury her brand and culture. A piece of her life-changing legacy.
.
