CYNTHIA PRESS "Le Billet D'or"

Cynthia Press

CEO

Copa Style Magazine's

"2020"

"Businesswoman of the Year"

~ Entrepreneur Launches New Clothing Line ~

By Rodney Wayne Branche
Copa Style Magazine Publisher/Editor-in-Chief

Copa: Where are you from?

Cynthia: I grew up in Western Maryland and moved to Florida for college.

Copa: Where did you attend school?

Cynthia: After I attended the University of Maryland and transferred to the University of South Florida in Tampa. Afterwards I lived in Florida for the rest of my adult life.

Copa: What were your popular courses?

Cynthia: I was an American Studies major and Public Relations minor. I also interned in the Tampa Museum of Art. Afterwards I accepted a position at the Museum of Fine Art in St. Petersburg, Florida coordinating Public Relations activities and Special Events and donor development.

Copa: At what time did you shift your interests toward working in Real Estate?

Cynthia: On the weekends I had to supplement my income from the museum. I worked for a hi-end Real Estate development in Tampa at Cheval Golf and Polo Club. I decided pretty quickly that I could use the same skills I had while working at the museum while making more money as an Art Consultant. I also worked a corporate design consultant as well. 2 years afterwards I shifted to Real Estate.
I moved to DC about 10 years ago after the Market crashed in Florida. I lost everything and had to start over. When I arrived I established Iron Gate Realty and District Design & Development which is a development company. We operate in DC, Maryland, and Florida.

Copa: When you did move to Real Estate when did you maneuver over to the Commercial Real Estate division of your industry?

Cynthia: I've always worked in Real Estate Development over the years. What drew me to it was development design. I was selling hi-end custom development homes at the age of 23.

Copa: We understand that you have a new endeavor, what is the name of the business?

Cynthia: The name is "Le Billet D'or." (The Golden Ticket)

Copa: At what time did you establish the company?

Cynthia: 2 years ago, I was chosen to be a judge in the South Florida Builder's Association Awards which covers design and construction. It's at that time I realized I could develop creativity in that area through judging the design show. Afterwards, I developed my own clothing line which is now available today.

Copa: How would you describe your clothing line?

Cynthia: Highly recognized global street style, it takes inspiration from luxury apparel items I would see on the street every day all over the world.

Copa: What type of materials have you been working with for this collection?

Cynthia: I like to use as many organic materials as possible. I've been looking for various cottons and linens and materials that have a little stretch to it so there is some spandex incorporated into some pieces. However, I like to keep it as natural as possible.

~Le Billet D'or Spring/Summer Collection~

Terri Nwanma, Colby College Economics Student and Le Billet D’Or summer intern.

Copa: What does the future hold for your new company:

Cynthia: Right now I have much hope for the company, I consider this to be a bit of a test. Up to now things have be phenomenal. As always the 'proof will be in the pudding! I'm also in the process of establishing a collaboration with a woman from LA who is collaborating with a few hi-end companies. Right now she is designing a signature denim piece for me. Also I would like to have most of our line produced in the US, preferably in LA.

Copa: We see that you've teamed up with a group of people. Would you like to share a bit about that with our readers?

Cynthia: I was preparing to launch on March 1rst with a line of party clothes and cocktail dresses. However, due to COVID-19, I had to change my entire line and had to start from scratch. At that time I met Michael Connolly from Atlas Digital Partners, who invited me to take part in his Entrepreneurial program in Birmingham. He made my company a test study for the program and a team began working on my company. I had a full time intern Terri Nwanma of Colby College. Terri was with me here in DC for the whole Summer and helped with creating a business plan doing projections and market studies for manufacturing in differing parts of the world. I honestly don't know where I'd be without the help that came my way.