Today we’d like to introduce you to Andrea Bonner.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
Well, the story of how I got into fashion is somewhat nontraditional. A business major in college, I began working in healthcare sales and marketing and did so for the majority of my career. I always loved fashion and actually aspired to be an editor of a fashion magazine. After going through a layoff several years ago, I started a personal shopping and styling company, Style On Demand. Even though I did go back to my marketing career, I still operated my business part-time.
I also worked part-time as an Assistant Manager to an upscale jewelry boutique which gave me a good grasp on retail operations. This eventually led to me teaching courses at Houston Community College in Fashion Image and Visual Merchandising. I am now a full-time Professor and Program Coordinator of Fashion Merchandising for HCC and absolutely love shaping the minds of our next fashion leaders.
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?
It certainly has not been a smooth road, but I appreciate every bump along the way. Not too long after starting my company, the economy tanked. Clients no longer had the discretionary income to hire a stylist which in turn made me go back to my marketing career. The business skills I learned, however, have helped me in my business and current career. It can be hard building a name for yourself in a city that is so socially based, but hard work always pays off.
Houston Community’s College – what should we know? What do you guys do best? What sets you apart from the competition?
I work full-time for Houston Community College as The Program Coordinator for Fashion Merchandising guiding the curriculum and instruction of the program. HCC had one of the best Fashion programs in the country. Students regularly win national awards and graduate to either work in key roles in the retail industry or start their own businesses. Many transfers to Universities to obtain their Bachelor’s degrees.
What sets our program apart is the quality education that students receive for what they pay for that education. We are a nationally accredited Art and Design program. When I have time, I still style individual clients and also produce fashion shows for various local organizations.
For my educational career, I am most proud of the fact that we show students that they can create a viable fashion career in Houston and don’t have to move somewhere like NY or LA (although we do encourage them to pursue that dream if they so choose). For my personal business, I love helping clients rediscover themselves by helping them to enhance their inner and outer beauty. I am also proud to work with many local non-profits to help execute fashion events that help raise much-needed funds for their programs.
What moment in your career do you look back most fondly on?
Working alongside my students to provide “Extreme Makeovers” for the women from Brigid’s Hope recovery program. These ladies are re-entering society after incarceration. To see their faces and spirits light up after receiving complete makeovers was touching and amazingly rewarding. It also showed students the importance of giving back that which we have been so abundantly blessed with.
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