Meet Trailblazer Nancy Phoenix

Today we’d like to introduce you to Nancy Phoenix.

Nancy, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
When you face death twice and have a titanium rod and screws holding your bones together for the rest of your life – when you have to rip through the scarred tissue to learn how to walk again – when you witness your best friend laying on a stretcher in a pool of blood – when you hear the paramedics said they got body bags ready for you… you never live life the same ever again.

All I know is that I was kept on this earth for a reason. After 2006, I lived life differently. I stopped hanging out with friends that got me suspended at one point. I dedicated my life and time to school and fitness.

I ran drills with my coach almost every weekend to help regain motion in my leg. Played varsity tennis for the remainder of high school. Graduated with every high honor there was, and was accepted into the most prestigious college in Colorado with almost a full-ride scholarship, and made the Dean’s List my first year there. I was not playing around.

I was set to graduate early so I took on a double minor and still ended up graduating a month earlier, and landed a job right out of college.

I was set right? I had made every right move to please my parents and prove to them I wasn’t going to get knocked up or fail out.

But the real world has a funny way of f*cking with you.

I was in corporate as an associate of a financial firm doing the 9-5 with a steady paycheck, all was grand right?

My boss at the time worked me like a mule, his nickname in the office was Slave Driver for Pete’s Sake! I was doing the job of three associates, I tripled his income in one year, we were top in the office. After doing so, I still didn’t get the raise I wanted, so I took on another job at Sears working nights. I was working about 70 hours a week.

After one year, I had gained 15 lbs., broke out with severe stress acne, had a deficiency in vitamins, and was diagnosed with anxiety and a sleeping disorder.

I was one to never quit but once it took a toll on my health and sanity I knew what I had to do. So, I put in my two weeks. He ended up firing me in front of the entire office before my two weeks were up out of spite. I was humiliated.

However, due to my work, I was noticed and hired by another rep in the company. Since I had no income, I took the job. She was willing to pay me more. Little to my knowledge, the paychecks she wrote me bounced. My bank closed all of my accounts without notice and reported me to fraud.

So yeah… WORKING FOR OTHERS HAD F*CKED UP MY LIFE.

I dashed out of that company so fast it took me two years to fix not my bank accounts but my health as well.

But going back, after a few weeks of no longer working for that company, I landed another job as an HR Advisor for an oil and gas company. Everything was great, I loved my team, my job, my paycheck, and my own office. Nevertheless, after about two months oil prices took a turn and plummeted. We were all laid off.

At this point, I was over it.

But, I was never one to throw in the towel. I then took on five jobs to make ends meet. I was cashiering at a liquor store, cigarette store, bartending at a resort, cocktail waitressing at a strip club, and doing some side consulting work.

I worked day and night all day every day. What the hell was going on? I had a degree. Is this the real world?

It was through consulting and bodybuilding where I found my dream.

A few of my friends had asked me to help them with their start-up clothing lines, and possibly help them find manufacturers in Vietnam since I spoke the language and often vacationed there. I agreed, however since they were just starting out meant I wasn’t going to get paid for my time. So, I thought to myself, I could do this wayyy better on my own!

Few months later, I went to a bodybuilding show, and that was where I found my niche market.

Fashion styling and designing and crafting have always been a passion of mine.

In 4th grade, my mom dressed me in a teddy bear thermal with matching teddy bear overalls. Walking into class this cute boy whom I had a crush on saw my outfit and began to laugh and make fun of me. I ran to the back of the line so fast, my face was red as beet. It was so embarrassing. From then on, I swore to dress the best.

I never thought it could be a career because I was raised by Asian parents who thought teddy bears are cool and the only options in life were to become a doctor, lawyer, or engineer.

However, when growing up, it was through fashion that I was able to find my confidence and happiness. And it was through sports and weightlifting that helped me to learn how to walk again after my car accidents.

The bodybuilding world intrigued and inspired me the same. These men and women worked so hard to perfect every muscle in their bodies. I saw the same drive in them as I did in me. It was as if they were trying to cover up their “teddy bears”. From that point on, I knew I wanted to design clothing that was not your typical athletic apparel brand.

I then created the brand, Status Industry.

Status Industry is where prestige is produced.

An Atypical Collection of elevated Lifestyle & Fitness apparel made for those who dare to lift above the status quo.

STATUS is not only a clothing brand but also a movement to create a mindset and lifestyle of going above and beyond what is expected. Here at Status, we are a team that strives to live a high-end lifestyle that not only spills motivation into your workouts but also into your health, success, relationships, and everyday life. Prestige is not a gifted attribute but is a characteristic that one must grind relentlessly for in order to create an individual industrialized status. We dare you to lift above the status quo.

| Be Above. |
F*ck Being Average

Our Lion signifies Being Above. Above the expected, Above the BS, Above Average.

I wanted to create a custom badass form-fitting, not your typical style of clothing that people can wear in the gym and equally style in a chic streetwear outfit that they could wear on the daily.

Since I was little, I knew I wanted to creatively contribute to the world with something that not only positively altered mindsets but also heightened the world to a healthier place. After facing and surviving death twice at such a young age from two consecutive car crashes, and crashing and burning in the corporate world, I knew I was placed on this earth for a reason. My passion is not in a job, money, or power, but rather lies in the movement of living life confidently driven beyond all measure, beyond the status quo.

Has it been a smooth road?
Often times people think being an entrepreneur is so amazing and glamorous but they don’t know the real truth, THAT IT IS HARD AF. All the BS you deal with, especially if you’re not already a trust fund baby. You literally have to alter your body, mind, and soul. Even lose some friends and family, or even your current boyfriend/girlfriend on the way. That’s why it isn’t for the faint of heart and it’s not right if you’re not completely and utterly passionate and obsessed with it. I have had a lot of people message me over the years for advice because I have always been transparent about my struggles on social media.

Starting a business from scratch, let alone a clothing line, with little knowledge and money, is definitely not all fun and games. I have learned plenty through the years as well as from my other businesses and other involvements in the import/export industry, beauty and fashion industry, the cannabis industry, cigarette, and liquor industry, the financial industry, the bodybuilding industry, and all my other side hustles.

Here are a few struggles I faced, and I’m going to keep it real with you guys:

Finding the right manufacturer is one of the most difficult things. It requires countless hours on a motorbike in sketchy alleys in 100 degrees hot and humid weather. There’s no such thing as reliable Yelp in Asia. You travel for hours straddling a stranger and most of the time you get there they make something completely different than what you thought or needed.

I remember one time my cousin and I went through a manufacturing district and we were literally dodging rabid dogs that were guarding these “stores”. Because often times these stores were also their homes. It’s the price you pay for custom quality goods that don’t cost an arm or a leg. And don’t even get me started on quality control and language barriers and bargaining tactics.

I’ve lost friends, I’ve lost the person I loved, I’ve lost my drive, passion, and vision at one point. My family is my biggest supporter and my biggest hater. I’ve made countless stupid little mistakes as well as big mistakes. I’ve wasted time and money working with people who were not serious. I am still working side jobs to keep the cash flow going. I don’t have a steady paycheck therefore not a steady sleep schedule. There have been many sleepless nights learning and doing things on my own. Me and my team are constantly hauling boxes of clothing and supplies to and from events to sometimes only break even. I often times don’t know if people want to be friends with me for all the right reasons. I often times don’t know if people want to do business with me for all the right reasons. I often times don’t know if people want to date me for all the right reasons.

Nevertheless, you can’t make everyone happy and everyone can’t make you happy. And you can’t always be perfect and say yes all the time, especially as women. This is the real world. But there are things called Compromise and Communication which I’ve significantly improved on. And a little thing called “Know Your Worth”.

Through it all, what drives me is my why and my passion to find success through struggle and pain, and to help people find their path through their struggle and live life above.

There is no success without struggle.

So, my advice to women who are just starting their journey is to find your why, and it has to be a good one. It has to be from a good place in your heart and it has to be emotionally driven.

The struggle is real and it’s not easy but, you can still get it done! I promise!! Be who you’re destined to be. It really makes it all the more worth it. Fall, but get up. It’s what keeps us humble and human at the end of the day. I am clearly still going through the process and lessons and can’t wait to experience and learn even more no matter the struggle. And if this will help inspire someone to chase their dreams and never give up and learn from my BS, then I don’t mind sharing my stupid mistakes, along with the true skeletons of the business, the Life of an Entrepreneur.

We’d love to hear more about Status Industry.
I am a serial entrepreneur. I come from a family of business owners, therefore, those values have been instilled in me. People often ask what I do so, to keep things short I just tell people I am a manager at Dairy Queen. Ha! That is my alias. However, I do a lot of things.

I, of course, own Status Industry, that is my passion, my love. We are located here in Denver, Bangkok, and soon to be in L.A. as well. In addition, I also help manage and operate our family businesses which include: a liquor store, a cigarette store, and Grofax (a hydroponics supply chain). In addition, I am an import broker and consultant for small businesses. Which has led me to start a lash line with a local salon, The Glam House. I am also a financial advisor building my own financial firm (ironic right, why work for the man when you can become the “Wo-man”!), and during my free time I Uber, Lyft, or Postmates. Yes, I probably have ADD, and if it makes me money, keeps me away from trouble, helps me network, and gives me experience, I am there.

How do I have the time? Well, we make time for what is a priority for us and you just feed it day by day till it becomes full-blown! Also, I am a vampire and don’t sleep.

So, what sets me apart from others is that I am an entrepreneur for entrepreneurs, and we are a brand for brands.

What I mean by that is, I started this dream through consulting therefore, my true love is to help create brands and turn other entrepreneurs visions into reality in order to manifest that passion and freedom! Accordingly, over the years I have created the networks and channels in order to do so.

We will be your one-stop-shop for your brand with quality goods at a reasonable price. This will be possible due to my quality control teams in Asia who seek out the best products for the best price. Through our partnership with a local apparel print and embroidery shop, we will also be able to provide in-state services as well, further cutting down the turn around time. You will also have access to my network of graphic designers, photographers, models, and writers to help start-up. Along with connections to many networks in Denver, nationally, and globally. Furthermore, you will have access to my financial advising team to help you reach your money goals to further push your business and future to unlimited heights, beyond the status quo.

My dream is to create a hub for creative brands in Colorado, to start. Where we all can work together and “synergize”. Why? Because being successful together is a lot more fun than being successful alone.

Furthermore creating a business/a brand saved my soul, it gave me confidence and tenacity, it fed my passions, it gave me a purpose, it allowed me freedom, and in turn made me love all my “Teddy Bears”.

However, my mission is much bigger than myself.

In the end, no dream is worth it unless you help others make their dreams come true as well.

Do you recommend any apps, books or podcasts that have been helpful to you?
Books: The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck By Mark Manson

Do you have any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general? What has worked well for you?
For those who want to start a business but don’t know where to start or don’t have a ton of money, I highly recommend Mi Casa Resource Center. They are a non-profit that educates, train, and support youth and adults on their path to economic success. They are literally the plug for all your entrepreneurial needs and have helped me enormously.

Attending local events and not being afraid to talk to random people has really helped me build my network. Take every social and professional opportunity to build a connection because as I say, its 25% knowing what you’re talking about and 75% of who actually likes you. In addition, find out high exposure places where you can display your products/services, and different events you can involve yourself with locally that won’t cost much time and money. This will not only help you build credibility it will also give you the chance to build your network with like-minded people. Social media is one way to expand your network but in-person connections will create a lot more synergy and loyalty by utilizing the sense of human connection as a backbone.

Furthermore, finding those who are “better” or further along in life than me to surround myself with has pushed me to higher heights. It’s only lonely at the top if you stop climbing and stop learning. Success, knowledge, and happiness are endless therefore, there can never actually be an end or “top”. Having nice things and fame may seem cool, but human value and loyalty are priceless. Be true to yourself, and to your dreams, and to your happiness, and find those who understand life the same way. In the words of Bazzi, “If I’m not happy, I’m a sad guy in a nice car. If I don’t have any real friends or family, I’m just a lonely guy in a big home. Damn.”

Contact Info:

• Website: statusindustry.com
• Phone: 7209850875
• Email: statusindustry@gmail.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/nancyphoenixx
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/statusindustry/
• Other: https://www.instagram.com/statusindustry/

Image Credit:
Blake Jackson

Suggest a story: VoyageDenver is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.