Today we’d like to introduce you to Rachel Holmes.
Rachel, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I started my business in the dirt; not literally, but figuratively. I was at a point in my life where post-partum depression was in control and I was just along for the ride. I hated myself! I wasn’t where I thought I was going to be at that point in life, I was dealing with the circumstances that I created based on bad decision making, and I was on baby number three. I was a hot mess on the inside, yet appeared the opposite. I remember casually walking in the mall one afternoon and getting approached by a man who I noticed had been watching me for a while. Immediately, I thought “not today”, but I was so used to conforming to others I went on with the conversation. He told me “you wear confidence really well”, you could imagine that this took me for quite a surprise. I responded “thank you” and continued by day, but it was in that moment where a stranger spoke life into me, reminding me that God hadn’t forgotten about it.
I discussed the conversation with a friend and decided to create a “confidence” t-shirt for women reminding them to wear their confidence. It started off as an exchange from a stranger, to a conversation with a friend, to me sitting on the idea for years, to finally launching the shirts, then literally selling out the day I originally launched.
I’m here today because of a stranger, not a friend or relative. We often miss what’s intended for us because it doesn’t come in the form in which we expect it to; I’m glad I was open to the conversation that day, it literally changed my life.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Smooth road… what’s that? The road has been everything except smooth. There have been many roadblocks and setbacks, many I recovered from and others I had to find another path, but despite I’ve continued, One of those roadblocks being the loss of my twin sister due to brain cancer. Out of all I’ve been through, this was the by far the hardest realities I had to face. It happened fast. She was only 28 and had recently had a baby. She was a fighter and out of all the battles she won, this battle won. I was devasted. Depression knocked on my door again, it was the needs of my children that kept me from sleeping day in and day out. I don’t remember seeing the sun or anything. I had to feel it though. I got so used to finding distractions to keep me entertained during difficult times but this one forced deal with it. I cried for months, I still cry. I pushed people away and put myself in an imaginary box thinking no one could see my hurt, but that didn’t work. Those around me knew and were patient with me during that process. I’m so thankful for my tribe! Get around some people who allow you space and opportunity to grieve without their being conditions set. Her death taught me to live again! Not to take one day for granted but to literally make each day the best day of my life.
There’s purpose in our obstacles.
Please tell us about iWEARMi.
iWEARMi started off as a t-shirt line but has later evolved into a lifestyle brand. iWEARMi is not just a product, it’s an experience! Its mission is to birth and to reignite confidence and self-awareness in the lives of others. iWEARMi is an invitation to live; an advocate for living your best life!
iWEARMi is known for all things confidence.
My focus isn’t on selling a product but providing an experience, that alone is what sets this brand apart from others. It’s a feeling, a vibe!
Built with complete faith in God, His purpose is what will last. I’m most proud of that, I never waivered my spirituality while building a building. God is my connect!
If you had to go back in time and start over, would you have done anything differently?
If I had to start over and do something differently, I would have just jumped. I looked for everything wrong so much, I became blind to everything right. I lost sight that building is done brick by brick, but mentally, I wanted everything all at once. Each season will bring a new brick, that brick being a new lesson. Let’s just say, I embrace my bricks now.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.iwearmi.com
- Phone: (872)228-5585
- Email: info@iwearmi.com
- Instagram: @iwearmi
- Facebook: @iwearmi
- Twitter: @iwearmi
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