Autumn 24 Full The Entrepreneurial Spirit Issue Final

W ith inherited inspiration from her relatives, Simmons’s fashion ingenuity and early business success catapulted her into the altruistic pursuits she currently holds close to her heart. “I have put my hands in a couple of businesses over the years, but in 2020, I got intensely into the world of wellness, and I felt that it was important for me to lend my platform to something like this that could be beneficial and impactful to the people who follow me.” She’s cultivated her brand into a woven mix of wellness, passion, and philanthropy, one of the most refreshing ways to live as an entrepreneur. Like so many others, it was a long journey for her, and Simmons started it with style. While entrepreneurship runs through her veins, fashion is what stole her heart. “I love fashion. Fashion is the way that I’m able to express myself creatively… I was very fortunate to be able to attend fashion week shows at a young age.” Eyes wide with joy, Simmons’s entire face beams with adoration as she recollects the memorable beginnings of her love affair with fashion. “That’s how you know that’s something you’re passionate about. It made me feel like when those lights would go down, and the fashion was about to come down, I would get chills all over my body.” The creativity of the runway was Simmons’ motivation to establish a brand of her own. “I got involved pretty early on in my life with having a fashion brand through Pastry, and we lend a unique perspective to fashion worlds through streetwear. And so, fashion is something that I’ve always been passionate about, and I’m super fortunate to collaborate with current people in fashion.”

For Simmons, there was no better person to partner with than designer Lola Banjo, founder of travel luxury brand Silver & Riley. Since appearing in a brand campaign in 2022, Simmons has since been named as a brand ambassador for the fashion company, a union that exists in perfect harmony. “I’m learning so much from the founder I’m working with, Lola, and just getting back into the behind-the- scenes of fashion, which is exciting. The production, the fabrics, all of that just drives me in a way and brings me so much joy, and to be able to lend that to other people so that they can also express themself creatively through their fashion.” “It will always be a huge part of who I am. At the core, I’m just a fashion girlie. So, [I'm] so fortunate to be able to still work in fashion all these years later; I do not take it for granted, and it will always be a part of my core brand, which is being involved in fashion and creatively expressing myself in that way.” More than just a luxury brand, Silver & Riley ensures all their products are manufactured with top-of- the-line materials sourced directly from Italy. Banjo has successfully tailored unique designs to the daily desires of people everywhere, providing full function without sacrificing high-end fashion and luxury. From the hands of skilled artisans, Silver & Riley’s products are meticulously curated in bona fide TrooRa fashion. They sell bags and accessories tailored to give their customers the highest possible quality. Banjo spent years growing her company to be more than just a rare brand. For her, it was essential to create an avenue to uplift women worldwide using her global expertise.

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