Today we’d like to introduce you to Kenya Porter.
Hi Kenya, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
I would say my love of being cheap, or as I like to call it… a bargain hunter extraordinaire, started in childhood. Even though I was raised in middle-class neighborhoods on both sides, my parents and step-parents were quite frugal. I once watched my dad buy a car for $700. he affectionately referred to as the Brown Bomber. And even though it was perhaps the ugliest car ever made, it was quite reliable and lasted many years much to my and my siblings’ embarrassment. But from this, I learned that cheap doesn’t always equal bad quality, and oftentimes you can find hidden gems for basement bargain prices.
I also have fond memories of watching my stepdad sit down at the kitchen table every Sunday to clip coupons from the Sunday newspaper. Even with a hand full of coupons at the grocery store, he would still go up and down each aisle comparing prices. It was like a treasure hunt to him to find the best product at the very best price. Now as an adult, this is how I shop whether in-person or online. In my own words, I’m a cheapskate with an addiction to finding great deals!
I would say I fell in love with fashion from playing dress-up in my mom’s closet. I loved trying on my mom’s sweater dresses with the lace collars, blazers with shoulder pads, leather jackets, and skirts, and strutting the floor in her heels and pearls. I would often “borrow” my mom’s clothes and jewelry and sneak them into my backpack so I could wear them at school.
I was born and raised in Birmingham, AL, but I fell in love with Memphis in the summer of 2020 after dating someone here and visiting many times. I fell in love with the city so much that I decided to move here in February 2021.
I started my blog, Just Kenya, and opened Just Kenya Boutique to share my love of fashion and cheapness with the world. My mission is to help women dress for less and show you don’t have to break the bank to look like a million bucks. It’s how you WEAR it, not WHERE you buy it!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Naturally, I’m a shy and introverted person. My biggest challenge was getting over my shyness and tendency to retreat within myself. You can have the greatest idea in the world, but if no one knows about it; your idea really doesn’t help anyone. Being a transplant to a new city, I didn’t have any friends when I moved here. To overcome that, I did something I didn’t think I would ever do — I pushed myself and joined a couple of networking groups.
I’m happy to say I met two beautiful souls and gained two new friends. One of those friends noticed that I like to dress up and gave me the idea to start posting fashion videos on social media. Initially, I was hesitant and worried about how people would perceive me. However, once I got started posting videos, the more confident I became.
Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Just Kenya Boutique?
I have a clothing boutique named Just Kenya Boutique. My specialization is TRENDY fashion at AFFORDABLE prices. One of the things I’m most proud of brand-wise is I offer quality pieces at affordable prices for everyone. If an item is listed in my boutique, I have personally tested it and I stand behind its quality.
One thing I’m adamant about is keeping the price point in my boutique around $50. I love getting a good deal and will always offer a good deal to my customers.
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
The most important lesson I have learned along the way is to just start and keep going. Even if no one else believes in you, believe in yourself and keep going.
There will be obstacles along the way. There will be mistakes you make. There will be days when you think your idea isn’t that great and won’t work. Whatever it is, keep going. If you quit, you definitely won’t make it. However, if you keep going, the sky is truly the limit.
Contact Info:
- Website: justkenyaboutique.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/justkenya22/
- Facebook: facebook.com/justkenya22
- Other: justkenya.myshop.fashion
Image Credits
Josh Diliyok
