My Solo Journey to China for Slightly Bougie
Back in September, I took the biggest leap yet for Slightly Bougie Sock Company. I flew across the world—solo—to China, not just to visit a manufacturer but to find the right one. I had already been through several options, testing quality, communication, and overall fit for what I wanted to build. This wasn’t just about placing an order—it was about building a relationship. I needed to work with a manufacturer who understood my vision, valued quality as much as I did, and was willing to collaborate to get every detail right. This trip was my chance to see everything firsthand, ask the right questions, and make sure Slightly Bougie was starting on the right foundation.
A Business Trip Like No Other
Walking into the factory for the first time, I felt the weight of what I was doing. I was in a foreign country, representing my own brand, making life-changing decisions. It was humbling and terrifying.
I asked questions. I touched everything. I compared materials, inspected grips, and ran my fingers over seams, picturing what they would feel like on someone’s feet in a Pilates studio or an airport lounge. I wanted to get this right. And absolutely, Imposter Syndrome made a guest appearance. But I reminded myself—this is exactly what I came here to do.
The Experience of Being Seen
At first, the experience was absolutely uncomfortable. 1000%. Not because I’m shy—anyone who knows me knows that’s not my struggle—but because this was a different kind of exposure. I’m used to walking into professional spaces with confidence, shaking hands, making decisions, and pretending I have my entire life together (which, let’s be real, is 90% of the job). In a work setting, I can sell the vision, lead a room, and make things happen. That’s muscle memory.
But in my personal life? That’s where things get tricky. So now, here I was in China—personally out of my element but professionally needing to be in control. How was I supposed to navigate this space where I didn’t speak the language, but it was both a business and personal experience? It felt like being thrown into a group project with no syllabus, no topic—just vibes and survival instincts.
And then there was the other layer—the fact that I was the only Black woman I saw in every single city I visited.
Being the only? That part wasn’t new. After years in corporate America, I was familiar with being the only one. But this time, it felt different. In the corporate world, I always carried the weight of having to prove myself, to be twice as good, to make sure I was heard. I leaned into that reality because I had no choice. But in China, it wasn’t about proving anything—it was about curiosity. People weren’t staring because they questioned if I belonged in the room; they were staring because they had probably never seen someone like me in that space before.
That realization forced me to shift my perspective. Instead of feeling out of place, I embraced it. I smiled more. I engaged. I let myself be in the moment instead of trying to control it. It was a reminder that sometimes, standing out isn’t about having to fight for a seat at the table—it’s just about being seen. And that was a lesson I didn’t know I needed.
Bringing It All Back Home
That lesson became real in the factory—standing in a room full of people, speaking different languages, all working toward the same goal. It was in those moments of problem-solving, of making adjustments, of watching my vision take shape, that I realized just how much this business meant to me.
But it wasn’t just the factory where I felt it. It was dancing by West Lake in Hangzhou, moving with a group of women who welcomed me into their routine like I belonged there. It was going to Disneyland Shanghai alone, fully embracing my inner child, smiling at families who saw me as much a part of the magic as anyone else. It was understanding, in real time, that the world is big, but human connection is bigger.
Now, months later, I can see that trip for what it was—one of the most important experiences of my life. It taught me patience, confidence, and the importance of being present, staying curious, and embracing just a splash of foolishness.
Slightly Bougie Sock Company is about more than just socks…
It’s about movement, style, and feeling good in your skin—no matter what space you step into. And for me, that confidence starts from the ground up. My socks are a reminder of that lesson, of every step I’ve taken to get here. China made that real—not just in the factory, but in the moments in between—the dance, the laughter, the curiosity, and the joy of being seen.
And that? That’s something I’ll carry with me forever.
