In September 2001, Anna Marshall moved to Southern California to pursue her passion: fashion design. A native of Houston, Marshall is now the CEO of A Clothes Mind, an online clothing boutique established in 2005. It’s where you’ll find two of her collections – Solace and Margaux Kouture. Solace is a trendy line made especially for women who are bold, carefree and daring, while Margaux Kouture is for the diva who wants to step out glitzy and glamorous.
Here, Marshall expounds on why it’s important for her to express her God-given talents through fashion and how Coco Chanel and Vera Wang inspire her.
What inspires you to show up at work every day?
The driving force that inspires my creativity derives from my passion for fashion, the desire to be successful in life and thinking without limitations.
Name your favorite role models for success in two industries.
Coco Chanel (fashion) and Steve Jobs (technology).
Describe the voice of success that you hear in your head.
When I carefully choose and make the decisions for A Clothes Mind, I always ask myself what would Vera do. Vera Wang is a much sought after designer and someday I would love to be on her level. Everything I do as a person is a reflection of my business and in order to prevail in new horizons, I must make wise decisions.
What software and tools of technology have made the biggest difference in your life?
Having an online vessel for our website that takes care of sales, inventory, reports, etc. has given [me] the opportunity to keep a lot of information in one place and for software I would have to say Adobe Master Collection.
Define your personal culture.
Many of my designs mimic my own style and flare. I am giddy about fabrics and get extremely ecstatic when walking into a fabric store because I know there I will envision something great. I can also envision a design just by looking at someone. I live, breathe and often dream fashion. I remember at a very young age when my grandmother taught me how to hand sew. What I became most fascinated with, was being able to take fabric and create something fabulous.
If you could change one thing about the world what would it be?
Poverty.
If you could change one thing about yourself what would it be?
Being a workaholic without taking the time to enjoy life.
