The Power of Representation and Body Positivity in Business

Ever felt like society's expectations were weighing you down? Join us as we chat with the inspiring Jazmin Whitmore, a 37-year-old self-made entrepreneur who turned her struggles into an empowering business. From operating a one-person salon to founding "More to Love," a plus-size consignment store, Jazmin's journey is a testament to resilience and self-affirmation. She opens up about her battles with self-esteem and how overcoming these challenges led her to create a supportive and inclusive sanctuary for plus-size women. This episode isn't just about affordable fashion; it's about fostering a community where everyone feels truly embraced and understood.

We also tackle the societal judgments that women face, especially when juggling multiple roles. How do these pressures affect confidence and entrepreneurial dreams? Jazmin and I dive into this and offer insights on retraining the mind to prioritize personal happiness over external opinions. You'll hear about the impact of body positivity and authentic representation in fashion, and discover how Jazmin connects with her customers through various platforms. Tune in for a heartfelt and empowering conversation that's sure to inspire anyone navigating the complexities of self-worth and ambition.

Website: https://moretoloveasheville.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/More-To-Love-clothing-for-your-curves-151713615674477/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/moretoloveplussizeconsignment/
Tik Tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@moretoloveconsignment?lang=en

A Mosaic is a bunch of pieces, put together, to make up the whole in a beautiful way. Here at Mosaic Business Consulting we discuss the various pieces of a business throughout the course of its life, and throughout all industries, and how these pieces, when put together, can help develop a better, more efficient, and effective running of YOUR business.
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Transcript

Laura: 0:41

Good morning. I'm your host, laura Wagner-Kanesh, owner of Mosaic Business Consulting, and you're listening to the Mosaic Life with Laura W. A mosaic is a bunch of pieces that, when put together, make up the whole in a really beautiful way, and this show plans to discuss the various pieces of a business throughout different industries and how these pieces, when put together, can help develop a better, more efficient and effective running of your business. To reach me, contact bizradious. Today, my guest is none other than Jasmine Whitmore, and Jasmine is an amazing person. I have absolutely loved her story. You're going to enjoy this interview. It is so much fun.

Laura: 1:23

She is a 37-year-old self-made entrepreneur who thinks outside the box and, let me say, she really does. She's open to anything. She's amazing. Her scrappy and creative nature led her to start her first business, a one-person salon, with only $1,000 in her pocket. A few years later, she opened More to Love, a plus-size consignment store, and her experiences with being big-bodied, surviving poverty, homelessness and mental health have driven her to operate a business that not only helps plus-size women thank you, thank you, thank you afford the clothes that they love but also benefits the community. So she opened More to Love, a plus-size consignment store, and this includes paying consignors real money for the clothes that they sell. It also means networking with local nonprofits to ensure that they have plus size clothes for their closets and swaps. So please join me in welcoming Jasmine to the show. Welcome, jasmine, it's so good to have you here.

Jazmin: 2:31

It's so good to be here. Thank you so so much for reaching out.

Laura: 2:35

Oh, love it, Love it. I haven't talked to you in ages. I know we had an interview, I think a couple plus years ago, but I haven't really interacted with you much. So I would love it if you could let us know a little bit about your story and how you got to this place, because it's not just like you opened a store, right.

Jazmin: 3:01

Yeah. So I mean I could talk about each aspect or the entire mosaic of how I got here and what makes it for a really long time. But to kind of highlight, I grew up without a lot of things, and that's not just physically. I grew up without self-esteem. I grew up without knowing what self-care is, have a place or any any sort of feeling of belonging in every aspect of myself, rather be my skin color, my body size, you know.

Jazmin: 3:47

There's so, so much, and so when I started more to love, I really wanted to pour all of that into a space and have a space that kind of stands in opposition to a lot of my past experience.

Laura: 4:05

Yeah.

Jazmin: 4:05

Rather that be shopping or treatment, and so I really wanted people to feel embraced.

Laura: 4:15

So you're saying you're not even saying included, you're saying embraced, yes.

Jazmin: 4:22

Thank you. I want them to feel immediately supported and understood and valid.

Jazmin: 4:34

Been like I want to be a curvy Haven you know, not just a place that sells big clothes, not just a place that affords or you can sell affordable clothes, really, just, you know, I tell people it's kind of like um, as a big body person, I grew up watching people shop on TV and you know, you'd bring a few friends and there'd be that montage where they're changing outfits and they've got all these options and money is not the biggest issue, it's just finding the perfect outfit for the perfect event. And I realized I'd never had anything close to that experience. And I realized I'd never had anything close to that experience. And you know, it was always like, oh God, I hope I find one thing that mostly works, that I can kind of afford, exactly, and so I really wanted to create a space where that experience could happen, and I'm so happy it does it does all the time we have people come in and find their dream prom dress.

Jazmin: 5:38

We've had people come in and find the perfect outfit for their new job. We've had people come in and be like, oh yeah, I've got a date. This makes me feel good and wonderful and I've loved picking it out. It was easy. So, yeah, I think I've tried to embrace those that feel that they are not embraced in businesses and I'm working on how to reach them, how to let them know I'm here much of our society is based in this judgment of how we look, how we appear, all the time that we don't get to, that underbelly the person within that you're talking about.

Laura: 6:29

Right, and I really would love it if you wouldn't mind talking about how our society tends to judge people, and, in particular, women, when we're applying for jobs, when we're, you know, trying to do something, maybe even outside of the norm, but in particular, I think about our attempts to move up the ladder and get a job and a career. Can you shed some light about what we as a society do to women in that regard?

Jazmin: 7:04

Well, I think that that is a really long conversation, but I think I can sum it up with on average, a man will not be expected to be everything Right, and a woman many women feel like they have to be everything. Yes, so they have to be Einstein smart. They have to be super cool, they have to be super model beautiful. They have to be moms. They have to be super model beautiful. They have to be moms. They have to know how to cook, and, and so the list of what we have to do is not just long, it's contradicting, yeah you know, and that has such a detrimental effect on how we feel about ourselves.

Jazmin: 7:58

I have two businesses, a husband and a bonus son, and when my husband and I announced getting married, there was someone that I didn't know very well that said oh, are you going to have a baby now? Oh, my gosh, and I'm like where, in the, running two businesses and being present for my family, do you think I want a baby? Yeah, yeah well, and why the?

Laura: 8:25

assumption right. Why the assumption?

Jazmin: 8:27

it was so absurd to have this person barely knew me but knew all the things I have going on and what a full life I live and how happy I am with it and was like I automatically know what you need, because you don't have this thing, so until you have it, nothing else matters. Unbelievable it's. It's those expectations, can't I just be? Me yeah, and so I think that extends to the professional. You know they're like we're not allowed to have less than perfect days.

Laura: 9:05

Well, and to that end, how does that impact you as an entrepreneur in your work life then? Do people judge then stuff that you're. You know what I mean it's like. How do you operate in that space then?

Jazmin: 9:24

I, you know it depends on the day Don't understand that at all. You know we all have good days and bad days. We all have days where we're our best team player and we're not. But I'm really proud of the work I've done to retrain my mind, to not consider what other people are thinking about my own personal choices, and I've really just tried to not be concerned with rather or not someone else judges my life to be worthy and so do I. Come across that Absolutely. Is it pretty rare? Yeah, but yeah, I just. I am like you know, if it's something that affects us both, then we should care about each other's opinions and think about it. If it's a question of how my body is, what clothes I wear, what fashion, what I feel good in what I'm doing, then I really try to consciously not concern myself with others' opinions.

Laura: 10:38

Well, and I get what you're saying, but how do you think? You know? I know it impacts women when they're applying for jobs, when they're doing the, you know, owning their business and having a public face. You know, what can we as a society, what would you suggest that we do differently to invite and include and I love this word, embrace more women, regardless of their body type or regardless of whatever they're going through, et cetera. What could we do differently?

Jazmin: 11:16

Well, one thing I think it's really important to talk about and to continue to talk about as we're tackling these big issues, is that these issues don't stem from a single source and so the solutions won't either. Yeah, you know what I mean, and so a lot of times, we're really focused on like what is that thing we need to do to fix this, instead of being like I'm going to do everything I can do to fix this. So I don't know what should be done. On the larger levels or on the corporate levels, I have some ideas. You know what I mean Clothing, the price difference between plus size clothes and quote unquote regular clothes. That would be a good thing. Representation on TV that's really important, like when I see a plus-sized actor who has a real role, a important role, a fully fleshed out role on tv. That helps me feel better about myself, that helps me feel more represented. Um, on the smaller scale, I think that that work has to start internally. So that's where I've started.

Jazmin: 12:36

When you say internally for the person who has a larger body figure, or okay, so not necessarily, or just somebody who is, you know, quote unquotequote regular size, um, but wants to help this issue. It has to start with, you know. Am I passing judgment on people that are bigger than me? Am I, you know, really concerned with having to date somebody bigger than me who makes me look small? Am I, you know, putting these kind of ideas on other people? Am I following fashion trends I like, or am I doing them because they say it'll make me look thin? You know what I mean.

Jazmin: 13:19

Things like that are really important. And then you know, and then you know, I just try to lift everybody up that I come across, and rather it's in a small way, rather it's in a big way, rather it's like you know what I bet this event that you're not feeling super comfortable about. If we could get you an outfit that you feel good in, I bet that would help your anxiety. You know what I mean. So I try to really keep it small scale as far as the changes I'm doing, because I do think that small, home-based and community-based changes are the ones that really stick around.

Laura: 14:04

Yeah, so I'm trying that really stick around, yeah, so I'm trying.

Jazmin: 14:09

Yeah. So like I have body positive heart, I have body positive phrases. You know, right above my fitting room mirror I have a little plaque that my assistant gave me that says don't forget You're awesome, Nice. Because I think underneath all of these issues and insecurities that we have is a lack of confidence and and that interrupt and ask really quickly.

Laura: 14:37

How did that lack of confidence because I can tell you I deal with so many people, so many of my clients have the same issue right, and how did it manifest itself for you in your business?

Jazmin: 14:54

Oh, lack of yeah, lack of confidence has plagued me my whole life and it stopped me from even recognizing a rare skill that I had in thinking of myself as a business owner. Oh, wow At all. Because, you know, to me business owners had it all together they were settled, they had 401ks, they had business plans and degrees all things that I didn't have. So that confidence in that image I kept comparing myself to anytime I would think of you know, maybe I should try to work on my own, Maybe I should try to do this on my own. That idea of not being them kept that thought out of my head as a realistic possibility for years.

Jazmin: 15:51

For years even when I started doing hair and I very specifically do locks, uh, and dreadlocks and twists and that sort of thing, um, but even when I did start, my rates were so low that clients were tipping me as much as I charged, sometimes double or triple, and they're like I don't feel good taking paying you this little, I just don't feel good doing it. And so it was like my own clients were like please take more money, please charge. And so I really had to like look at how me not valuing my time or my experience was preventing me from taking opportunities that would put me in a more stable place.

Laura: 16:40

And I'm thinking about you know, with your journey, did you find that there were blockades outside of you versus you blocking yourself?

Jazmin: 16:59

Because I'm hearing you telling me that you blocked yourself a lot. Yeah, as far as. As far as my own internal confidence, that was my big block. Externally, there are so many things that get in people's way and you give us an example of like one thing other than that.

Laura: 17:16

Well, the money could be a thing, but I'm just wondering, like what else gets in our way?

Jazmin: 17:22

Well, there's not small enough steps. I don't think, and you know, and maybe that's just you know not being able to find the small step, but it tends to be, you know, as far as what we experience on media and stuff like you know, you have an idea, you start a business and you make a bunch of money.

Laura: 17:47

Experience on media and stuff like you know, you have an idea, you start a business and you make a bunch of money, right, right well because nobody's talking about their slow growth road to growth, right, they all talk about the fast road. Exactly exactly that's all you see on social media is do this and you'll get you know a hundred thousand tomorrow.

Jazmin: 18:04

Yep I made a viral TikTok video. Now I bought a house.

Laura: 18:11

Exactly.

Jazmin: 18:11

It's so ridiculous right. Yeah, and for some people that's a really true experience. I'm not trying to invalidate that possibility or that experience but that's just not how it's going to happen for most people, exactly.

Jazmin: 18:26

So I think there needs to be more value put on. Hey say, you want to open a bakery, start doing cakes for friends. You know what I mean? I think that the, the um, those small ideas, you know what both of my businesses developed from a hobby? Yeah, you know. And so the lack of understanding between hobbies and valued skills, I think, is another thing where so many things are not even talked about as valuable skills, you know, as monetizable things, and, and I think also because there is so much insecurity in the world, there are a lot of people who will try to stomp that initial flame of an idea out. Rather Rather it's because of their own fear, like they don't want you to be disappointed, or they know that they don't have the courage to go for it, so you shouldn't have the courage to go for it, and so I think that's. I don't think you can really stop that, but I think it's important to know that that's not actually any sort of valid input on your idea.

Laura: 19:51

Yeah, and I wonder how many people don't go after their dream because of this insecurity, thinking that everyone else is smarter, thinner, happier, whatever. And I'm I'm wondering also, like what in your, in your experience, you've met so many people that come through your doors. What is the one thing when that you do while during your interaction, that helps women feel stronger and, you know, more confident? So they walk in one way and they leave looking another way. Right, yeah, what? Is it that you do that allows women to get this.

Jazmin: 20:40

Well, again, there's so many layers to it. But, to start with, I watch and think about the way I give my own opinion, um. And so a lot of people will ask like, hey, does this look good? Do you think this is a good thing for this? And before I give them my opinion, I will tell them now. First, let me tell you my opinion matters far less than yours, because you are the one wearing it, you are the one buying it, you are the one living your life. So, rather or not, I like it. That doesn't mean like if I like it and you don't like it, it's gonna go home, it's gonna live in your closet yeah, yeah and I get, we're gonna come out.

Jazmin: 21:28

So I tell them that they need to be the ones who like this fashion. Rather or not, it's trending, rather not it they'll be like is this too? Old-fashioned and I'm like, and you know, I'll tell them also well, the difference between old-fashioned and vintage is confidence.

Laura: 21:45

Yeah, yeah.

Jazmin: 21:46

Well you know, so I start with that.

Laura: 21:50

Yes, yeah, I think that's perfect. So asking a question instead of giving the answer and I do apologize because we're out of time, but if people want to reach out to you, how can they contact you?

Jazmin: 22:00

So, you can reach me at 828-424-7270. That's our shop's number. You can also go to the website moretoloveashvillecom. And, of course, we have a really happening social media where we do body positive quotes. Every Friday we post pictures of our brand ambassadors with real bodies, no shapewear, just how they're going authentically into the world, featured items at all. You can learn way more about our businesses through visiting and also through our social media feeds.

Laura: 22:35

Fantastic. Oh, wow, okay. So lots of ways to get in touch with Jasmine. Please do. She's fantastic. I want to thank you for listening to the Mosaic Life with Laura W, and I've had a wonderful time chatting with you. If you want to listen to more shows, please go to bizradious all entrepreneurs, all the time and have a great rest of your day, thank you.