Detroit’s business sector is growing despite the economic downfall caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. A local area mother, wife and First Lady is launching her fifth store in downtown Detroit and helping women dress like a boss but maintain their femininity.
Tenisia Evans has grown up in Detroit and has worked to give back to the city that gave so much to her. With a vision, the support of her family and direction from God, Girl Boss Fashions was birthed as a way to provide women with unique pieces for all sizes, shapes and ethnicities. As the First Lady of Divine Restorations Ministries on the city’s east side, and formally wearing a size 24, this entrepreneur sought a way to make shopping for full-figured women easier.
“There were a lot of First Ladies and they were like Barbie Dolls. I started a women’s clothing store years ago and it was called First Lady Fashions where I had curvy clothes, but it looked like church mother stuff,” says Tenisia Evans, founder of Girl Boss Fashions. “So, I started doing bling T-shirts.”
First launching in 2016, Girl Boss Fashions consisted of elaborately decorated T-shirts and accessories, but quickly grew to include individualized pieces for the everyday woman. The brand’s first location on Kelly Road served as the catalyst for several storefronts to follow. Expanding into Lakeside Mall, Macomb Mall and Partridge Creek, it was not long before representatives from Bedrock took notice and offered the opportunity for a pop-up shop location in the heart of downtown.
“Supporting creative entrepreneurs like Tenisia Evans is at the core of our retail strategy,” says Ivy Greaner, chief operating officer for Bedrock. “Girl Boss Fashions has a powerful mission and we look forward to connecting downtown shoppers to a Rockstar local brand.”
With catchy phrases like “the struggle is real but I make it look good,” which came from one of her husband’s sermons, and “I’m a jewel,” the Girl Boss owner is hoping to continue to inspire, not just the women of Detroit, but women nationally and internationally with her dream of being a household name and a go-to source for dressing women.
“My motto since day one as an entrepreneur is ‘all things are possible to those that believe,’” says Evans. “I believe Girl Boss Fashions will inspire women to live more confidently and I believe downtown Detroit is ready to experience our brand. Stop by our shop for one-of-a-kind pieces that are classy, trendy and professional, yet bossy at the same time.”
Since the pandemic, in addition to launching store locations across Metro Detroit, this entrepreneur is also motivating women to chase their dreams and launch their own businesses. With her mentorship program Girl Go Get It, Evans is showing up-and-coming businesswomen the ropes when it comes to launching a brand. Providing assistance on kickstarting and maintaining a business, the women in the program are able to see first-hand how the First Lady balances her obligations to her church, family and businesses. Often employing women from her church to work in the Girl Boss locations, paying it forward is helping to keep the ever-growing population of Black women business owners evolving.
“I get a lot of [messages] asking if ladies can put their pieces in the store and I tell them [they] can join our Girl Go Get It group and I’ll be more than happy to help you and show you how to do whatever,” Evans says.
Price points for the clothing begin at $30, but the owner is sure there is something every woman can afford and will help her look beautiful.
“I have moved more to a higher end, but it’s not enough to make you break the bank,” Evans says.
The newest Girl Boss Fashions location will be at 1232 Library Street on the ground level of the Z Lot. The founder released 50 butterflies during the Grand Opening signifying evolution, her age and the desire to be in all 50 states. The pop-up shop is expected to be in operation for at least six months.
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