Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in clothing but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Keona Moy, Founder and CEO of VKTORI, located in Seattle, WA, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
VKTORI is a pioneering neuro-inclusive braless apparel brand at the intersection of braless innovation, wellness, and style. Our mission is to redefine the boundaries of comfort and style, creating garments that aren't merely worn but experienced with our patent pending construction. Our customers are women who value both fashion and functionality, especially those who have sensory sensitivities or who simply want to ditch their bras. Our designs ensure you are effortlessly supported with the things you care about.
Tell us about yourself
My journey began with a personal challenge - the discomfort and skin irritation caused by traditional bras when I was at my corporate consulting 9-5. This led to the creation of VKTORI, where the focus is on braless, comfortable, and inclusive apparel. What motivates me daily is the passion for creating a space where all women can be shamelessly comfortable with their full selves. As women, we feel shame if we are showing too little or too much skin, if we are too feminine or too masculine if we are too assertive or too show. There is no winning with the external world. We have to be our own biggest fans.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Building, managing, and motivating a highly intelligent team and board of advisors that is fully equity-based, meaning they are working for free for the foreseeable year or two. Yes, they want to make money, but their commitment to VKTORI is only possible because they believe in me as the CEO, the product, the vision, and the mission.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
Getting out of bed in the morning. I feel so much weight on what I need to get done in the morning and pressure to know how to figure it all out. This is still true after four years of doing my business part-time with a job and one year full-time. What helps me is knowing that I do not need to figure it all out. The Universe has a plan for each one of us, and our job is to trust our work.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Trust yourself and your gut...and if you are still unsure of your decision, trust that you will be able to figure out whatever comes your way! You will spend many sleepless nights overthinking decisions, and it's just not worth it.
- Pay attention to the world around you; there are patterns and signs everywhere we go, every tough point we have with people and the content we consume. Use these patterns to guide your marketing and the overall direction of the company.
- Talk to your customers! It's a win-win; the customers get the product they want, and you are relieved of the pressure to figure it all out on your own.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://vktori.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vktori.co
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vktori.co
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/keonamoy/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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