I Built Mrs. Kay’s While Working a 9–5 (and Going Back to School to Become a Therapist)

If you’ve ever wondered what it really looks like to build a dream while juggling real life… this is that story. My STORY!

Because Mrs. Kay’s didn’t just appear overnight.
It was built in the in between moments, after work, before class, late nights, early mornings, and a whole lot of faith.

And honestly? I’m still building. I’m still learning from mistakes and discovering new ideas and processes to take my brand to the next level.

The 9–5 That Funds the Dream

By day, I’m an accountant. I’ve been accountant since college. Started interning at Brooks Brothers while going to school and working as a waitress/ cashier job. Brooks Brothers shined a light on accounting and fashion! It was my perfect dream job. I was able to see both worlds mashed together. Unfortunately, I wasn’t selected for a full time role but I managed to get a great accounting job and worked my way up the Corporate America food chain or as I like to call it Hunger Games. No one ever warned a college student about the layoff culture but I managed to network and charm my way to each new position to avoid being laid off.

Spreadsheets, numbers, structure, the complete opposite of flowing fabrics and creative expression. But that 9–5 gave me something I’ll never take for granted: stability.

It allowed me to invest in my business, fund my collections, and show up for my clients without desperation. It allowed me keep my business a passion without the Hustle culture breathing down my neck!

Was it always easy? No.

There were days I left work mentally drained and still had fittings, sketches, and emails waiting for me. But I made a decision early on:

I wasn’t going to wait for the “perfect time” to build Mrs. Kay’s. I was going to build it alongside my life.

Choosing Passion… Again

As if building a fashion brand wasn’t enough, I made another decision that surprised even me.

I went back to school to become a therapist.

I felt there was a missing piece in my puzzle of FASHION. I surely didn’t wasn’t to leave fashion, but because I wanted to deepen it.

Fashion, to me, has never just been about clothes. It’s about identity, confidence, healing, and self expression.

I’ve had brides and clients stand in front of me and pick apart their bodies, the same way I once did. I’ve seen how a dress can either shrink someone or help them finally see themselves fully.

And that’s when it clicked:

What I do is already emotional work. I just wanted the tools to support it more intentionally.

Where Fashion Meets Healing

There’s something powerful that happens when a woman puts on a piece that was made just for her.

Her posture changes.
Her voice softens or strengthens.
She sees herself differently.

That moment is deeper than style.

That’s where my missing piece finally connected… my journey into therapy and my work in fashion aren’t separate, they’re aligned.

I’m learning how to hold space for women in vulnerable moments, understand the emotional layers behind body image, and support clients beyond just what looks good.

Because at Mrs. Kay’s, it’s never just about the dress. It’s never about the blazer.

It’s about how you feel in it. It’s me describing to you why light blue lights you up and red gives the extra boost of confidence. It’s me connecting why cotton and baggy loungewear makes you feel grounded especially if its neutral colors. How sometime Black is bold and beautiful but can also make you disappear behind the scenes if you don’t want to be SEEN.

The Reality No One Talks About

Balancing all of this hasn’t been glamorous.

There are long nights where I question everything.
Moments where I feel stretched too thin.
Times I wish I could just focus on one path.

But then I remember…

I’m not building a one dimensional life. I’m building something meaningful.

Something that blends creativity, purpose, and impact.

What Mrs. Kay’s Really Stands For

Mrs. Kay’s is more than custom bridal and couture.

It’s a space where individuals are seen, heard, and celebrated as they are.

It’s where your vision matters.
Your love matters.
Your story matters.

And as I continue growing, both as a designer and a future therapist, my mission is only getting clearer:

To help women feel confident, whole, and fully themselves, inside and out.

For Anyone Building Something Right Now

If you’re working a job, chasing a dream, going back to school, or figuring it out as you go…

I see you.

You don’t have to have it all perfectly aligned to start.
You don’t have to choose just one version of yourself.

You’re allowed to evolve.
You’re allowed to build slowly.
You’re allowed to create a life that reflects all of who you are.

This is just a chapter of my story.

And trust me… there’s so much more to come.

- Kay Sanders
Founder and Designer, Mrs. Kay’s
Your Vision. Your Love. Your Story.