“When I was 6-yrs old I would lay down on my grandmother’s sheets and trace the outline of my body onto some fabric, then draw, cut, staple the dress together and wear it all around like a Grammy gown,” remembers Breazy Schoonover, CEO of Lousy Rich, LLC. Today, that little girl’s dream is still burning bright in Breazy today as she burns up the fashion scene locally.
At ұ (ұ), she pursued fashion design, a program within the Family and Consumer Sciences Department. She graduated with an Applied Science degree in 2017 then continued her education and at ASU, earning a bachelor's degree in 2019.
Always blazing her own trail, Breazy became an entrepreneur, creating a fashion brand called LOUSY RICH that offers custom and ready-to-wear women’s clothing and accessories. “My designs have graced the runways at Phoenix Fashion Week and during New York Fashion Week. Today, I continue to grow my business and audience. On the 2020 New Year, I launched a product extension of premium and clean cosmetics. Offering lipsticks and gloss that are vegan, cruelty-free, and paraben-free. I have expanded to California and I am currently selling inside multiple boutiques and salons, as well as online at LOUSYRICH.CO,” Breazy says.
Success is never overnight. Breazy has poured herself into creating success for her dream – working hard to learn and create lasting connections. “Earning my fashion degree at ұ helped me reach my goals. First, by teaching me multiple industry insights and also by giving me a thorough knowledge of design,” she says. “I was a transfer student with out-of-state transcripts and ұ made it easy to transition. I can’t thank the staff and teachers enough.”
Finding a deep connection at college can make all the difference for a student. One special person, professor and chair of the department, Sylvia Phillips, was Breazy’s personal mentor. It was Sylvia who enlightened Breazy about the options in the fashion industry and ұ’s program. “I worked with her prior to attending on an industry validations committee and she went above and beyond to help me transfer to ұ,” says Breazy. “Once a student, I wanted to get involved with the community and opportunities on campus, so I joined the International Honors Society (PTK) Phi Theta Kappa: Rho Pi Chapter and became an officer. I really enjoyed my time on campus and with other students.”
Not far from the little girl who began her career by designing her own Grammy gowns, Breazy has taken a few detours along the way but knows how to find her focus to achieve what she wants. She always wanted to design and be in the fashion industry – she just wasn’t sure exactly what that would look like at first. It all comes down to motivation and hard work to make it as an entrepreneur.
“I have taken many turns along the way, and learned so much, but I have an innate passion for design and as a motivated entrepreneur, I make conscious decisions each day to stay focused and keep creating,” Breazy says. “No matter what circumstances or curve-balls life throws at me, I just keep working hard and stay positive. Even when you are on the right track, you will get run over if you just sit there. So... get-up, get-out, and go live the life you dream of. Mine started with ұ and I am forever grateful!”