Southern charm and elegance meets big city sass and sophistication in the form of Savannah Rae. The dazzling combination of traditional and original designs by Savannah Rae embodies the fun-loving, charismatic, flirtatious and energetic attitude of the designer, Amanda Wheeler.
How would you describe yourself in 3 words?
Caring, playful, fashionable
What is your biggest goal for the future of your business?
Savannah Rae is inspired by my family and friends. I want to provide stylish designs that look great on everyone, are affordable, and make them feel confident and comfortable. With that in mind, my long-term goal would be for boutiques and stores nationwide to carry my line. I really want to saturate the fashionable yet affordable market.
What is one thing you could not live without?
Family and friends. They have been my rock whilst taking this leap of faith to become an entrepreneur and to really follow my dream. Without their love and support, I wouldn’t have had the courage to bring Savannah Rae to life.
Other than that….. my hair straightener. 
What is your favorite thing about living in Atlanta?
Atlanta has a lot to offer. It’s a very metropolitan city with a lot of great attractions, like the High Museum, that’s one of my favorite places. But the southern charm of the city is also very present. That’s why Atlanta is so special, because of it’s ability to balance the fast paced city life with the comfort of it’s renowned southern hospitality.
What inspired you to start your business?
My passion for fashion really took hold in high school. When I went on to do a degree in Fashion Merchandising, it was then that I realized I wanted to do the design side of things. I transferred universities to do a degree in fashion design, where I was able to learn all of the necessary technical skills. After having worked for several fashion brands, including Ralph Lauren, I felt the time was right to bring Savannah Rae to life.
Savannah Rae is inspired by my friends and family. We all have different body types, and I wanted to create designs that were not only concurrent with the latest trends but also fit them comfortably and gave them confidence. It’s important for every woman to feel comfortable in what she wears but also reflects her personality, whether it’s romantic, flirty, shy or playful. Savannah Rae is very reflective of my personal style, and it was also important to me for my designs to be versatile, so the pieces can be dressed up or down for a cheery day look or sassy night look.
What is your favorite part of being an entrepreneur?
The flexibility and creative control have been extremely rewarding. I like feeling unrestricted in my creative thinking and being able to just act.
If you could have dinner and talk about business with one person, who would it be?
Diane Von Furstenburg. I’d relish in the opportunity to pick her brain about how she established and marketed, and continues to market, her brand. Her sustained success and proven ability to innovate a staple item, like her iconic wrap dress, is absolutely inspiring.
If you could give one piece advice to other aspiring entrepreneurs, what would it be?
To always follow your dream. I know it sounds cliche, but if you’ve got a good idea, and you know you have a good idea, don’t let others discourage you. Yeah, it’s scary to take the risk, but if you really believe in what you are doing, that’s what matters.
Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
YouTube
CRAVE Blog
