Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in clothing but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Jamie Alexander, founder of RUBIES, located in Toronto, ON, Canada.

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

RUBIES designs swimwear and other clothing to help trans girls and non-binary kids feel comfortable participating in the activities they love.

Tell us about yourself

I am a serial entrepreneur and spent the first 25 years of my career working in tech. RUBIES is the 4th business I have started. I was inspired to create the business by my trans daughter, who socially transitioned at the age of 9. She wanted to wear a bikini like her cis friends, and I discovered there were limited options available to kids like her.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

I have been able to enable thousands of kids to feel comfortable swimming, hanging out on the beach, and doing other activities like dancing and gymnastics.

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

Having to take on pretty much every aspect of a business during the early stages. It requires big picture thinking to develop a strategy and low-level day-to-day execution. I am always jumping.

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

  1. Ideas are a dime a dozen. It's the execution that counts.
  2. Test your product or service ideas and get as much feedback as early as possible to avoid wasting your time and money. If you can't find a way to get feedback, it probably means there is not enough interest in your idea, and your business will not have legs.
  3. Set goals along with metrics for these goals. All of your activities should tie into these goals. Find ways to perform small experiments to shift your metrics in a positive direction. Keep measuring and adjust accordingly. Rinse and repeat.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

This is a great article with more about the history of RUBIES.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://rubyshines.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/rubiesclothing
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rubiesdad/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jamiepalexander/

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.