I met this beautiful Fashionista who always seemed to out dress everyone at every event named Beah in Los Angeles (LA) while I was out there in 2007. We weren’t introduced to each other by anyone, but our paths crossed often enough that it seemed destined that we would know each other and become friends.
When my time was up in LA, I came back to my East Coast base and although I haven’t been back to LA since, I have stayed in touch with this true Sistah, which really is a testament to her positive character considering that Los Angeles is known as a, “Using Town” where most people don’t like to be bothered with you if you can’t do something for them. So when she told me about her book which is on fashion, a subject I know for a fact that she is very experienced in, being a top notch dresser and all, I suggested an interview. Below are excerpts.
Who is Be'ah Taylor?
For starters, Be'ah is my nick name. It’s short for Beahtrice. I am the only grandchild, out of 300, named after my grandmother. It is an honor to carry the torch.
I am an Author and Publisher with one self-published book to my credit. I plan to publish books for others in the future, as well as publishing many more books for myself also.
I am also a Screenwriter and Director with one short film under my belt. I plan to produce my first feature film at the end of this year.
What is the title of your book and what’s it about?
The Professional Shopper Directory is the title of my current book. It is about shopping in the Los Angeles (LA) Fashion District. For the consumer, it has over 200 great stores to choose from and for retailers it has over 400 stores to choose from.
Who is your target audience?
The book caters to people who like to buy quality merchandise at discounted prices, people who have always dreamed of owning retail stores, people who are almost bankrupt after Christmas gift shopping, plus size people who are tired of paying more for clothes than everyone else and those who have a passion for fashion. The knowledge to be gained from reading the book is priceless and the money people will subsequently save is definitely much more than the price of the book.
They say you write the book you want to or wanted to read at one point in your life. What prompted you to write the book?
That is definitely true! I love to shop, but I love a good deal more. It took me 10 years to master the downtown Los Angeles Fashion District. Now that I have, I want to save everyone else the time and trouble through my book. I have done the homework and found the best deals on the best items! I wish there was a book like mine out when I began shopping in downtown Los Angeles.
The book is based on fashion and you are a Fashionista in LA, but you have plenty of fierce fashion competition. How did you carve a fashion niche for yourself?
I have always danced to my own music, so to speak. I have always dressed outside of what is considered “in.” I just wear what I like and think is hot, and with that tactic, I never fall short of admirers. I was actually at a huge Jamie Foxx house party where at least 50% of the guest was celebrities. A guy walked up to me, checked me out from head to toe and said, “You won. You got it.” I said what? He said, “Best-dressed.” However, I have to admit that a lot of thought went into that outfit, as well as just about everything else I wear. I will always do fashion my way.
How do you keep your wardrobe current with the latest styles?
My focus usually goes against what the latest trends are because I hate to look like everyone else. I like to set trends! I have done so in the past in my home town and I definitely plan to do it here in LA. The only problem with setting a new trend in LA is that you have to be famous. If you’re not famous, a celebrity will take your trend to the red carpet and call it his or her own. I actually have a couple of hot ideas I am holding out on because I want to take them to the red carpet personally.
What classic items of clothing can you not do without each season?
For one, my two piece bathing suit. I take the time to hit the gym regularly because I don’t go for the one piece thing! I am also a fan of gorgeous sun dresses. I have some vintage and modern pieces. I love that look!
In the fall, there is nothing better than a nice sweater. I love sweaters, but my favorite is the cardigan. People see me as this hip trendy dresser, but I can go a little conservative and do a cardigan any day. To me, they are trendy and not conservative, but that is just me being me again. I also love long-john shirts. I have over 20 of them and I can wear them anytime of the week.
How can people on a budget still keep fashionably current?
Not to jump in and promote my own book, but I wrote this book specifically for people who love fashion, but need to save money. There are 2 stores in my book with every item in the store for only $2. I have shoes stores in the book where the shoes begin at only $5.99. I can just go on and on! There are over 200 stores in the book for men, women, and kids.
Outside of my book, I would recommend finding swap-meets, or shopping at discount stores, such as Walmart and Target. These two stores actually have great items! They have high end designers working with them to create very fashionable items at affordable prices.
Macy’s has very good sales! I got a $40 dress for only $8 on a one day sale! Keep an eye on Macy’s and their sales! This is a great way to acquire designer items at low prices!
What have people shared with you about their positive experiences from reading your book?
I have been called a genius for writing this book! I have friends who were born and raised in LA and never knew these stores existed. People are amazed at the quality of the items they find for only $5 and $10.
Men especially love the book because they don’t really care for shopping and my book gives the exact location of which stores have suits, athletics wear or casuals like jeans, etc. They don’t have to spend the entire day going in one store after another, only to find they are on the wrong street for what they need.
What would you like people who haven’t read the book to know to make them desire to read your book?
If they want to look great and save tons of money, then they need this book, period!
I found the silicone bra that Victoria’s Secret and Fredrick’s of Hollywood sell for $65, for only $15. This is a good example of the money you can save by shopping at the stores in my book instead of mall.
Where can people purchase a copy of the book?
It is available for sale at http://www.professionalshopperdirectory.com/. Non-computer savvy people can mail a money order payable to: Art Deco LLC to:
Art Deco Productions
P. O. Box 260426
Encino, CA 81426
Also, for people in the LA area I can be contacted via email for a physical location to pick up the book in person.
Describe your writing process.
The writing process is different for books, directories, and of course screenplays. This book is a directory, yet it has a short story in the beginning of how I began shopping in downtown LA.
The process for books is writing the stories you want the audience read and then piecing them together in the order you want them to receive the information in.
Writing, publishing and promoting a book are not easy to accomplish. How did you accomplish this?
Like you said, it definitely was not an easy task! I have to give myself a big pat on the back for continuing to move forward though there were days I wanted to quit. I believe the need for my book was the main thing that kept me going. I knew that people needed this book and that I would be helping many people in many ways.
I am big on completion also. I am not one of those people who go by the analogy, “Chase ten dogs and you are sure to catch at least one.” however it goes. I believe if you only chase one dog, you are bound to catch it eventually. Then you take care of it, and make it feel safe to where it’s happy at home, and you don’t need to chase it anymore. You are then able to get another dog and go on that chase all over again.
Basically what I’m saying is one should focus on what one believes will help you accomplish whatever you desire!
From your experience what should people know about becoming an author?
Know that it is a challenge. Go into the process knowing that you will have to put your all into it.
The book is based on the LA fashion market and you’ve been in LA for some time, how would you describe your “LA” experience?
“If you can make it here, you can make it anywhere!” You hear this term mostly for NY, but I have seen New Yorkers who come to LA run back home with their tails between their legs! LA is like no place on the planet! But you got to love it!
We have the best beaches in the United States, including Hawaii!
As a woman of color and Hollywood survivor, what advice do you have for people wanting to come to LA to be part of the entertainment industry or to chase the Hollywood dream?
Have a better plan than staying at a hotel for 3 months until you become famous, because it takes much longer than that. Don’t think you know it all because you worked in the entertainment business elsewhere. Hollywood is like no other place in the world!
Is the casting couch a reality for women of color in the entertainment industry?
It is a reality for women of color, white women, and even men. Brad Pitt even said that he could have made it in the business much quicker if he was willing to sleep with men. I believe you can still become a success in any field without sleeping with people to make it to the top.
As an entertainment professional, in which direction do you see the entertainment industry heading especially for women of color?
We are realizing that we need to do things on our own in order to ensure we are seen on the big screen. If we don’t hire ourselves, why would or should anyone else do so?
What positions in the entertainment industry should women especially of color target?
Unfortunately, I have to say internship positions at a major company such as ABC, Universal, or somewhere like that because that may get you the job when it becomes available quicker than simply applying for a job like so many others do when the a job becomes available.
Most of the media’s power positions are dominated by Caucasian men. What are your thoughts on women especially those of color assuming leadership roles in the entertainment industry?
If women desire leadership roles, they have to raise their own capital to shoot projects, and those projects must be good enough to get recognition. No one is just handing out leadership positions. They are earned by people climbing the ladder for many years.
On a personal note, most women dress to impress the opposite sex. I’m sure many of the people buying your book are doing so to find the deals so they can dress nicely and impress men. Was helping women look nice and ultimately meet men a motivation for you to write the book?
Funny you say that. No, this book had nothing to do with meeting the opposite sex, although it is a natural part of life. However, I have plans of writing a relationship book in the near future. There is an art to dating in LA, and I believe I have mastered it. For starters ladies, stop sleeping with men so quickly! That may work in other cities, but here, it does nothing but hinder you from dating high profile men. Buy a good vibrator and fall in love with it until you meet Mr. Right! LOL
What is the LA dating scene like?
When describing the LA dating scene, I would use the words, “Really interesting.” The younger good looking men usually cannot afford to take women to nice restaurants. So women end up with other guys or hanging out at home with the young hot guy on the sofa. Or if you are the type of girl who likes treating men, then that is your solution for being happy with the young good looking guy. My friends don’t like when I say this, but there is a lot of settling occurring in LA. For example, there is a guy who has been madly in love with me for over 3 years. I never felt the same way, but I love him as a friend. He has never liked anyone but black women, but now he is dating a white woman. She's absolutely stunning, I must add. That just happens to be where he found his match, but he still begs to see me. I know he is not fulfilled inside, therefore he is settling. Many black women here are dating white men as well. They seem to either be more financially stable or simply more willing to pay for dinners and movies.
We’ve seen many celebrity couple’s relationships in LA crash. For example, Shaunie O’Neal, Shaquile O’Neal’s former wife stated that living in LA contributed to the demise of her marriage. Do you believe living in LA contributes break ups?
ABSOLUTELY! In most cities you have a handful of women who are considered the best looking ones and everyone else if sort of average looking. This is normal and guys don’t have to have the best looking women. But in LA, there is a handful of average looking women and the rest are exquisitely beautiful! For example, if a guy moves here from let’s say Texas and he has never gotten close to dating the hot girl in Texas because there are only a handful of them. Then he comes to LA, and even more beautiful girls than the girls he considered hot in Texas are all over him. He has never experienced this in his life and he has to explore this more! He then gets caught up in this world and of course, here comes the break up. I have witnessed many break-ups and it is a sad thing to watch all these break-up which often happen over nothing.
What projects are on the horizon for you?
I’m working on another book which I can’t discuss until I get the copyright. I am also publishing a book for my brother and working on a film at the end of this year.
You said you’ll be leaving LA soon for a quieter area and slower pace of life. That’s a creative type’s haven which creative types need to get their creative juices flowing. So is this you indirectly saying we should look forward to more books and productions from you in the future?
You are right about that! I plan to have the smaller film coming out next year, but my baby is coming out in a couple of years. It will take much more preparation for that one!
For your fans out there, where can they learn more about, your book and your other projects?
My website is www.professionashopperdirectory.com but they can email me at artdecoproductions@gmail.com to get on my mailing listed. I am in the process of developing a website that will talk about everything I am doing including my movies, books, clothing line (not yet out), fragrance, etc. Getting on the email list will be a good way to stay informed on what I’m up to and what is coming out when.
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