Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in clothing line but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Ameera Hammouda, founder of Ameera, located in Boston, MA, USA.

What's your business, and who are your customers?

Ameera is a womenswear brand that bridges the gap of style and modesty. We are on a mission to resolve the stigmas that modest dressing is backwards. Women's power comes from their freedom to choose how they dress in a way that makes them feel confident. It is about the women in our clothes, not the clothes. We create for the women who want to invest in timeless pieces with a twist. It's not about filling her wardrobe with the latest trends but about owning just a few high-quality, sustainably crafted, feel-good pieces that will become trusted companions over the years.

Tell us about yourself

Ameera stemmed out of a personal void. I am super dedicated to my faith which inspires women to dress a certain way. I also loved the power of clothing to transcend decades and inspire my creativity. I always felt I had to compromise my faith or style, and I knew it shouldn't be like that. That is what motivated me to start this business, especially when I discovered 89% of women I spoke with felt the same way.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Selling out of our first collection! Creating clothing is an art form. Yes, I am designing with modesty and comfort in mind, which has some functional implications, but overall we want to create something beautiful. This means there will always be people who love, are indifferent to, or less interested in what you create. Luckily the colors, quality, and fabrics of our first collection were very attractive to women, and our customers so far have said our clothes have made them feel comfortable and beautiful. Many have also been fans of our biodegradable, plantable clothing tags that grow wildflowers. We want to reduce waste as much as possible in our brand. We have a social mission at hand, but it should never come at the cost of the environment.

What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?

When your vision and your reality don't align. As an entrepreneur, especially in such as creative industry as apparel, you can dream up some really interesting garments, marketing campaigns, or events. Sometimes they happen and when they do it is the best feeling! But when they don't, it almost feels like a loss. You've been dreaming up this great thing in your head. When it isn't feasible in reality, sometimes due to supply chain, budget, or other restrictions, it can be really hard to let go. But you just need to accept it, move on and get excited about the next thing.

What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?

  1. Talk to as many professionals in the industry you're looking to enter. They are excited to mentor newcomers and can save you from making the same mistakes they might have.
  2. Have an audience already anticipating your launch. This can be a newsletter list, a clientele sheet, whatever it is, make sure you have enough people with confirmed intent before launching. This will help you gain traction right off the bat and have feedback once people start engaging with your business.
  3. Get really good at one thing, then grow. This can be really hard for entrepreneurs since we have so many ideas. But most businesses start with only a few hero products then scale. In my opinion, it's better to have one unmatchable product than a variety of mediocre options.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://ameerahammouda.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ameerahammouda
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ameerahammouda_/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ameerahammouda/

If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solopreneur that you'd like to share, then email community@subkit.com; we'd love to feature your journey on these pages.

Feel inspired to start, run or grow your own subscription business? Check out subkit.com and learn how you can turn "one day" into day one.