A few weeks ago, as I was scrolling through my Instagram feed, I came across some stunning pieces, and I knew I had to speak with the creator of this bold collection.
To set up an interview, I slipped into her DM, and much to my astonishment, she accepted. She made time out of her busy schedule to have an interesting and insightful conversation about herself and her clothing brand, Zillionaire Avenue.
Meet the Ghanaian serial entrepreneur, Queenie Amankwah Kessie whose entrepreneurial spirit, coupled with her dedication to social causes has earned her recognition as a leader and influencer in the business community. Queenie through her works is constantly looking for new opportunities to make a difference and create a better future for Africa and tell the African story the right way.
Check out my conversation with Queenie, who talks about herself and her fashion brand, Zillionaire Avenue.
Melange: Tell us a bit about yourself.
Queenie: I am a serial entrepreneur named Queenie Kessie. With expertise in business coaching, talent management, and recruiting, I founded EMAS Agency to help businesses across various industries achieve their goals and grow.
In addition to EMAS Agency, I also founded EMAS Jobs, which aims to provide job opportunities to citizens in Africa, starting with Ghana. Through this project, I am passionate about helping people in Africa earn better salaries and improve their quality of life.
As a committed member of my community, I founded Better Africa Today, an NGO that focuses on creating social change and economic growth in Africa. I also launched African Business Empire, a project that encourages diaspora investment in Africa and supports entrepreneurship on the continent.
Melange: How did you get into the fashion industry?
Queenie: My passion for fashion started early on as my mother is a fashion designer. I would often design my own outfits for events to stand out and express my individuality.
In addition to fashion, I have always been interested in entrepreneurship and becoming a millionaire. That’s why I founded my manifestation brand, Zillionaire Avenue, which focuses on helping people achieve their financial goals and manifest abundance in their lives.
Melange: Tell us how the zillionaire avenue brand came about and if there is a special meaning behind the name.
Queenie: As an entrepreneur with a strong desire to become a millionaire, I decided to combine my love for fashion and entrepreneurship by creating Zillionaire Avenue, a clothing brand that reflects both worlds.
The name “Zillionaire” represents the abundance beyond measure that is possible when one taps into their inner potential and manifests their desires. The clothing brand offers a unique blend of fashion and manifestation that empowers individuals to express themselves while also achieving their financial goals.
Melange: How do you juggle managing your clients and Zillionaire Avenue?
Queenie: Managing my clients and Zillionaire Avenue requires a lot of organization and time management. I make sure to set aside specific times during the day to focus on each aspect of my business. For example, I may spend the morning working on Zillionaire Avenue, and then the afternoon and evening managing my clients.
I also prioritize tasks based on their level of importance and urgency. This helps me stay on top of deadlines and ensure that everything is taken care of in a timely manner.
Another key factor is having a strong team to support me. I have a dedicated team that helps with both my clients and the brand, Zillionaire Avenue, allowing me to focus on the big picture and ensure that everything runs smoothly. Overall, it can be a challenge to juggle both my clients and Zillionaire Avenue, but with the right organization, time management, and support, I am able to successfully manage both aspects of my business.
Melange: What is the inspiration behind your new collection?
Queenie: The inspiration behind my new collection for Zillionaire Avenue is to empower individuals to manifest their financial abundance through their clothing. The collection features bold and daring designs that embody the confidence and abundance that comes with being a zillionaire.
I draw inspiration from the fashion industry as well as my personal experiences as an entrepreneur and manifestation coach. My goal is to create designs that not only look great but also inspire and empower individuals to achieve their financial goals.
In addition to fashion, my passion for entrepreneurship and manifestation also played a significant role in the creation of this collection. I believe that our clothing can be a powerful tool for manifestation and achieving our desires, and that is what I aimed to convey through the designs in this collection.
Melange: Take us through the design process, concept, mood board, and your creative starting point.
Queenie: The design process for each Zillionaire Avenue collection starts with a concept that embodies the confidence and abundance of being a Zillionaire. I draw inspiration from the fashion industry, current trends, and my personal experiences as an entrepreneur and manifestation coach.
Once I have a concept in mind, I create a mood board to gather images, textures, and colors that align with the theme of the collection. This helps me to visualize the overall aesthetic and direction of the designs.
From there, I begin the creative process; I work closely with my team to ensure that the designs are aligned with our brand and vision.
Each collection has a unique name that relates to the business world, such as “Boss Lady,” “The Affluent,” “Big Boss,” “The Millionaire,” “The CEO,” “The CFO,” “First Generation Millionaire,” “The Investor,” and many more. This helps to tie the designs back to our overall mission of empowering individuals to manifest their financial abundance and become successful entrepreneurs.
Overall, the design process for each Zillionaire Avenue collection is a collaborative effort that involves careful planning, attention to detail, and a strong creative vision.
Melange: What creative challenges and opportunities have you faced on your journey as a Ghanaian designer, and how have these experiences shaped who you are as a designer as well as this new collection?
Queenie: As a Ghanaian designer based in Belgium, I have faced numerous creative challenges and opportunities on my journey. One of the biggest challenges I have faced is finding the right partners and resources to produce high-quality garments. While there are some factories and wholesalers in Belgium, I have found that their products do not always meet my standards, and I have had to fly overseas to source materials and work with factories that produce the quality I am looking for. This has been both a challenge and an opportunity to expand my network and explore new sources of inspiration.
In addition, the limited edition nature of my brand has posed its own set of challenges. While it allows me to focus on creating unique, one-of-a-kind pieces, it also means that I cannot rely on bulk orders or mass production to drive my business. Instead, I must constantly innovate and experiment to keep my collections fresh and exciting, while maintaining the quality and attention to detail that my customers expect.
Melange: Your current collection is giving us the boss lady vibe, what do you have in mind for your next collection, any ideas yet?
Queenie: I am always looking for new ways to push the boundaries of fashion and explore new creative ideas. While I am thrilled to see that my current collection is giving off a boss lady vibe, I am already thinking about what’s next.
For my next collection, I am excited to explore a different side of fashion and work on a male collection. I believe that men’s fashion is often overlooked, and I want to create something that is both stylish and functional for the modern man.
In addition to the male collection, I am also working on a line of accessories that will include sunglasses and a “Zillionaire Signature Handbag Collection”. These pieces will feature bold designs and luxurious materials, showcasing the same attention to detail and quality that defines all of my work.
Overall, I am excited to continue pushing the boundaries of fashion and exploring new ideas with each collection. My goal is always to create something that is both beautiful and empowering, and I can’t wait to see where my creativity takes me next.
Melange: Which Ghanaian designer would you love to collaborate with and Why?
Queenie: I’m currently working with Ratty “ Ahoubras3 Clothing “ and planning big things with Smully World the Celebrity Stylist, he has been supportive from day one.
Melange: What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received? And what career advice would you give to any young person starting his or her journey?
Queenie: The best career advice I have ever received is to never stop learning and to always stay true to myself and my vision. Fashion is an ever-evolving industry, and it is important to stay on top of new trends and techniques while also maintaining my own unique style and perspective.
If I were to give career advice to any young person starting their journey, I would say to never be afraid to take risks and to always follow their passion. It is important to be patient and persistent, as success rarely happens overnight. It’s also essential to network and build relationships with people in the industry, as these connections can often lead to new opportunities and collaborations.
In addition, I would advise young people to never stop learning and to always seek out new knowledge and skills. This could mean taking classes, attending workshops, or even just reading books and articles related to their field.
The more they can learn and grow the more valuable they will become as professionals.
Finally, I would encourage young people to be authentic and true to themselves. It’s important to stay true to your own values and vision, even if it means going against the norm. This authenticity will ultimately set them apart and help them to succeed in the long run.
Contact Queenie & Zillionaire Avenue on:
- Instagram: @queeniekessie, @zillionaire.avenue, or @emas.agency.
- Email: contact@zillionaire-avenue.com or contact@emas-agency.com.
Written by
Thelma Quainoo is my name, and my pen name is Miss Anowaa. My zodiac sign is Aries, and that alone will tell you I am a bubbly soul. A writer and an aspiring public relations practitioner. Find me on IG as @miss_anowaa. #beyouloveyou