Upcoming Fashion Designer -- P3 Designs Pursue Purpose Passionately

I have turned into my mother. No woman wants to hear that because she always thinks she's going to be so different, but I've realized that I'm not an exception. My mother is a shopaholic and she's passed that habit down to me. The only difference is that I'm much pickier. When I read 220 Communications' bulletin about P3 clothing on my MySpace page, I had to check it out. I thought I'd maybe like a shirt or two, but I didn't expect to pretty much like everything on the whole site. I filled up on Christmas gifts and can't even set foot in Kreative Souls boutique unless I'm ready to spend money. So how did Tiffany Tapley, creator of P3 clothing, do it?

1. Before the business competition at your church, in which you were a 2004 finalist, were you already thinking of doing clothing design, or what career were you interested in?

Before the competition, I was always interested in pursuing business. I loved fashion, inspiration, and business, and this was a great opportunity to integrate all of my passion into a business.

2. Please tell me the motive behind your signature logos like "Love Life," "Do What U Love," and "Pursue Purpose Passionately."

I worked as a Business Analyst for four years and was one of those people who dreamed of being creative and following my dreams as an entrepreneur. I also was surrounded by co-workers who were so talented and we would talk about what we would do if we didn't have a 9 to 5. So P3's signature logos were created to encourage others to step out on faith and explore other options.

3. Was it very difficult to break out into the public eye with your new clothing line? Who helped you market your materials in the process?

Actually it hasn't been as tough as I thought. I think it depends on your passion and how much you believe in your business. If you truly believe in it the media and your target market will be your best supporters.

4. Do you design and make your clothes? How does the process work for getting an item to completion?

I actually have a team of people who help in the creative and development process and we work together to make sure we deliver a great product for our loyal customers.

5. When you watched the women walk across the stage wearing your P3 products at the V103 Fashion Show, what were you thinking?

I was floored! It was P3's first fashion show, but to see the inspirational quotes come alive on the runway was amazing! It was just great to see P3 was well received by the public.

6. How has this clothing positively influenced young women?

What keeps me going are the countless emails we receive from others who have gone out and started their own business. We've even received emails from CA to NY and even overseas!

7. What made you want to design clothes like "Future C.E.O." for children? Is P3 clothing not only for the ladies, but for everybody?

Yes, P3 started out creating tees for women and have now included children. We're also working on a men's line. We've received requests from men interested in our Entrepreneur tees. P3 is for anyone interested in doing what they love.

8. You are the co-creator of Double Stitch of the KIDSS Entrepreneurship Program teaching business skills to children in the Chicago area. How does that relate to your current clothing line? Are you teaching them about clothing design?

Although we're in the fashion industry, we didn't want to just focus on fashion. We wanted to teach the kids general skills needed to run a business. Our Future CEO shirts are a favorite for kids and parents, and Erika and Monika Simmons of Double Stitch and I would joke about how we felt like aliens as kids because I was always selling something as a kid and they were heavily into the arts and business as well. So, we decided this was a great way to encourage other kids to turn their passion into a business. We taught the students about networking, creating a 60-second pitch, and they also created business plans. On the last day, the children displayed their businesses, such as a catering business, music production, and party planning. And let me tell you, these kids were so clever! One of our students made $60 creating self-portraits while another sold out of her custom-designed oven mitts.

9. How important do you think it is for people to pursue the career they love versus the career that is most practical? Which one were you encouraged to pursue as an adolescent into your teenage years?

I think it is so important to pursue your passion. Not only pursue, but make sure you plan and do research to be successful in your business.

This is such a good question! My parents always told me to follow what I loved to do, but there was always this underlying push to pursue it. But as a kid, I always had some type of business like a candy store, friendship bracelets, and dog-walking services. I was able to use the money I made to by my first car at 16. In 2004, I started to think about what I really wanted to do with my life. I loved the freedom of business, loved fashion, and was known for inspiring others. So P3 was born integrating all of my passion into an inspirational clothing line.

10. What are your plans for 2007 with this clothing line and your business? Are there any new products coming out that you'd like to tell us about?

This spring we will be launching new items in our Dreams to Reality collection, along with expanding our men's line.

11. What advice would you give to other entrepreneurs? What are the pros and cons of the fashion industry?

For other entrepreneurs, the best advice I would give them is to make sure to have a plan in place. Work smarter, not harder! Sometimes we think if we do a lot of shows, we're doing everything we can to be successful. It's about creating a plan, having good development and marketing to the right people. That is more important.

Some of the pros and cons of the fashion industry are making sure that you stay grounded and not letting your ego come between business decisions. Some opportunities may seem lavish and good for your ego, but may not be the best decision from a business perspective.

12. Please tell me where your clothes can be purchased.

Items can be purchased at:

Kreative Souls Boutique

3744 N. Broadway

Chicago, IL

Fitted by the Best

69 Lafayette Ave

Brooklyn, NY

fitzcouture.com

p3clothing.net.

13. Are there any upcoming events that buyers should know about?

For up-to-date information on events, you can log on to p3clothing.net and also join our mailing list.