Conversations with Daisha McKenzie

Today we’d like to introduce you to Daisha McKenzie.  

Hi Daisha, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today.
Growing up, expressing myself thru fashion was a thing. Shopping on the weekends, working fashion shows and all with my mom was a beautiful thing. I have always worked in the business of fashion. Even after obtaining my degree in apparel, Textiles & Merchandising from Eastern Michigan University. Started in retail sales in my tannage years thru college, transitioning to Lead Sales (White House Black Market), then after my degree- footwear & apparel buyer (Puffer Red’s) & corporate visual merchandiser (VILLA), Lead Sales/Buyer/Keyholder (The Peacock Room) …. even been a General Manager for a well know BIG small business (Detroit Is the New Black). 

In the fashion industry, I have done it all you name it! 

Then, in the midst of, my corporate tenures, I decided to start my own fashion business – Trinkets and Such (a gift shop) & August Ave (Curvy Women’s Apparel). As well as opening a brick & mortar – By Popular Demand: The Collective in Detroit with my husband Devin McKenzie – during the pandemic! 

In the midst of starting my online businesses, I realized that were a shortage of approachable spaces & communities where I could meet dedicated like minds to grow like minds- specifically for women. So, I decided to curate that safe space in 2016, The Business Bestie Clique -to meet, grow & collaborate with other women in business. I am hoping to continue to empower women in business with the information, relationships & community they can thrive with. 

We all face challenges, but looking back, would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The road is never smooth. I continually work towards making all my dots connect. I welcome the adversity because I know there were and will always be moments that help us learn and grow. The Business Bestie Clique(T/BBC) was originally founded in 2016. And at that time, I was new to the entrepreneur land and was growing. When I invited women to join, it was a loosely organized brunch and networking outings. Life took some turns and led to the slow down & eventual halt of the organization. That moment in time discouraged me from continuing thinking that I wasn’t cut out to be a leader nor did I have structure in place that was conducive to growth as an organization. BUT that was false! 

Recently, working with a business coach & mentor, I was told that I was downplaying what good we were doing in the community and to continue. Previous members came to me requesting the comeback as well. 

I had to learn the organization’s value and press forward regardless thru the white noise. 

After many requests to revive T/BBC, and I am so grateful for the commitment & help of my new partners & founding members, Aneshia Solomon & Christina Bland. We are happy to be back curating beautiful & stylish ways to moments, grow & collaborate and create content with women in business in Detroit together. 

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am now a full-time entrepreneur, and I am the Co-Owner of By Popular Demand the Collective (BPD) & a business consultant and I am here every day in-store, working the sales floor, pushing the products of the small businesses in the Collective & telling their stories! You have to come visit -2863 E Grand Blvd in Detroit. 

I specialize in service, sales & content curation. In and Out of BPD, I help small business owners move the needle in their business every day. Most people book a private consulting session with me to discuss how we can mobilize their business. I’ve found that most people are stagnant in their business because they are unsure of what step to take next and, most of the time, need to validate their progress, be reminded of their value, and objectively plan out the next steps with tangible action steps to move the needle. I am most proud of helping others, and their success is my success! 

What sets me apart from everyone else is that I truly do this every day. I walk it like I talk it. I consult with brands per their business needs, not a generic template Google provided on starting, pursuing & advancing a business. Each brand has specific needs. ALSO, this is a labor of love for me. Instead of utilizing these skills to advance a big box business, it is my passion to assist people who look like me be the best they can be. 

I am most proud of my collaborative spirit. At BPD & T/BBC, working with experts to curate moments and help everyone’s end goal are the moments that matter the most to me. Such as T/BBC quarterly HEADSHOT DAY PARTY. Where we collaborate with a local photographer & Make Up Artist for power shoots & a fast face to help brand owners get a set of much-needed business essentials at a discounted rate to empower them with power brand images to push and promote their incitive. 

We love surprises, fun facts, and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
I think I’m pretty transparent, and I am a social butterfly, and I play online -it’s fun! But I think people would be surprised to know that I prefer in-person experiences over social media- and I am a whole vibe LIVE… but I do know that it is the way of the world, and I adjust and adapt. Curating in-person experiences is the foundation to ALL of my businesses! At T/BBC we are bringing women together for memories & content. At BPD, the brick & mortar plan is to also curate in-person experiences between the products & consumers. 

I also think people would be surprised to know that I am from the Eastside of Detroit and proud! 

Contact Info:

• Website: www.businessbestieclique.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/businessbestieclique/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/bbclique

Image Credits 
@E_Shot_That
@BusinessBestieClique