Meet Sierra Braden-Smith | Curator

We had the good fortune of connecting with Sierra Braden-Smith and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sierra, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?
Back in early 2018, I had the vision of creating something that would merge styling and shopping together. I’ve always had a passion for fashion and a little over two years later I created The Zaypona Collection, which is an online boutique and styling service. I took a leap of faith and decided to put my all into the love I have for fashion and created something beneficial for others. Of course risk taking played a role in my thought process. Also, being sure to manage my business plan and incorporate the “what ifs” that you have a small business owner. From budgeting to research, my thought process differed and if I wanted to keep my plan in action to do something that benefited others and myself, I had to keep many things in mind.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I think my business model and plan is what sets me apart. As I mentioned I didn’t see many small businesses that offered personal styling and products all together remotely and in person. Honestly, getting to where I am today has required me to keep evolving. Continuous learning and growing, but also being able to change or adjust with the times. I started my business in 2020, which we all know is the year of Covid-19 and it really was beneficial in some ways being that my business is online based, but also very hard to do certain things. I’ve learned that if you want something, you have to be willing to be passionate about it and give yourself grace for where you are in the journey, even during a time of feeling like you want to give up. Also, keeping in mind that being a business owner, especially within the field of arts it comes with many ups and downs.
Fashion makes people feel confident and bold. People can express themselves openly and The Zaypona Collection was curated around just that!

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Since I’m from Grand Rapids, Michigan I would definitely pick somewhere in east town or downtown. One of my favorite spots to go is Rockwell Republic or The Kitchen by Wolfgang Puck, both places are that have great drinks and food and always a chill vibe. I would also do some sort of craft activity like painting, pottery or candle making. However, I live in Las Vegas now and there’s so many things to do. My favorite area here is Summerlin, which is more suburb/luxury living area, there’s many stores to shop and restaurants in the area, we would definitely make a stop to Nittaya’s Secret kitchen for drinks and thai food or Honey Salt, a cute chic restaurant for a mule or cocktail and hors d’oeuvres and for an activity, probably an evening show on the strip.

Who else deserves some credit and recognition?
First and foremost I would like to thank my parents/personal support system. As a little girl I loved anything art or fashion based. My parents would get me books and art supply growing up, they allowed me to always pick out my own clothes to wear and express myself. I remember taking trips to different places and seeing the influences that other states or countries had, but most of all they always supported what I wanted to do. Another very influential piece in my personal life is my grandmother, she would always have so many nice things and would put pieces together that I never seen anyone else do, to this day I still love her style.

I would like to also shed light and thank my fashion and career influences. People and brands like Dapper Dan, Rihanna, Coco Chanel, Zara, Burberry, Audrey Hepburn, Gucci, Grace Jones, Twiggy and so many more.

Also reading books/illustrations like Vogue, Bazaar, and The Fundamentals of Fashion by Richard Sorger and Jenny Udale.
I can’t forget two movies that really added a spark for me. The Devil Wears Prada and Breakfast at Tiffany’s, I remember watching them both as a teen and loving to see a different side of luxury.

Last, but not least my customers and supporters. They literally make everything possible. I would like to thank every customer and supporter for helping me live out my dreams.

Website: www.thezayponacollection.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thezayponacollection/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thezayponacollection

Image Credits
Briana Kilgore- Created With Bri Photography