CLEVELAND, Ohio — Jasmine Rene Johnson’s journey in fashion design began as a kid, when she transformed SpongeBob SquarePants slippers into a handmade purse. Today, she creates $3,500 custom-designed ...

Johnson, 36, has found her stride after the relocation, building a reputation as a talented dress designer during her 13 years as a professional. “When I first started, I was making under $50,000 a ...