In the latest episode of Suite 1701, host Ty Mopkins sits down with Mia Ray, CEO of GlamAholics, in a deeply personal conversation about building a brand, overcoming adversity, and aligning purpose with style. Their exchange reveals not just the business of fashion, but the heart and hustle behind it.
Mia Ray’s journey didn’t start on runways. It began with personal struggles, self-doubt, and dreams larger than her circumstances allowed. But through faith and perseverance, she transformed these obstacles into stepping stones.
She speaks candidly about:
• Early rejection and setbacks — moments when doors closed, and how those rejections forced her to reassess and recalibrate.
• Mentorship and community — the importance of surrounding yourself with people who see what you can become, even when you can’t see it yet.
• Daily spiritual grounding — using prayer, reflection, and faith as anchors during storms.
For Mia, fashion isn’t just about aesthetics; it’s about identity, confidence, and telling a story.
GlamAholics began as a passion project and evolved into a multi-faceted brand. Mia outlines key principles she uses to guide her business:
1. Authenticity over perfection — she encourages showing human moments, even flaws, to resonate with one’s audience.
2. Sustainable growth — prioritizing foundations over flashy expansion.
3. Empowerment through style — using fashion as a tool to uplift others, especially women who feel unseen or undervalued.
4. Giving back — part of her mission is rooted in community — mentorship, outreach, and fostering others’ dreams.
Mia shares anecdotes of clients whose lives were changed not just by their new look, but by the confidence and voice they reclaimed through styling, coaching, or simply being heard.
A recurring theme is how deeply intertwined Mia’s faith is with her business decisions. For her:
• Prayer is not a sideline, it’s a strategy — she consults spiritually before pivoting or scaling.
• Faith gives perspective — in times of disappointment or expected delays, she leans on spiritual promises.
• Purpose beyond profit — she measures success not only in dollars, but in lives impacted and doors opened for others.
She challenges listeners: “What will you build that outlasts you?” The value of legacy, in her eyes, overshadows temporal wins.
From the episode, readers and listeners can glean several practical—and emotional—lessons:
• Start small, think big: Use what you have now (skills, network, grit) rather than wait for “perfect” resources.
• Cultivate spiritual and emotional resilience: Business will strain you; your inner life can sustain you.
• Brand with intention: Let your values and stories drive your visuals, messaging, and service.
• Be generous with your journey: Share lessons, mentor, and uplift others as you climb.
• Keep the long view: Avoid quick fixes and aim for legacy impact.
Episode 8 of Suite 1701 is more than a business interview; it’s a heart-to-heart about what keeps an entrepreneur moving when the world pushes back. Mia Ray’s narrative reminds us that success is rarely linear, faith often feels risky, and vision is fragile unless backed by discipline.
If you care about fashion, entrepreneurship, faith, or stories of transformation, this episode offers wisdom, encouragement, and sparks for your own next chapter.
