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Name: Swathika prem
Business: The Style Mode
Location: Chennai, India
Industry: Apparel & Accessories
Reason for starting? I am an architecture student. But somewhere along the way I had that sense of not belonging to the project I was working on and realized maybe this isn’t what I wanted to do all my life. Inspired by my dad, I knew I had the entrepreneur spirit within me. I decided to start something. My fascination with clothing and accessories is never ending and hence have ended up having a small start up in this industry.
Related: Read about another fashion entrepreneur here.
How do you define success? My definition of success is simple. Do what your heart says. Believe in it and work hard. Success will knock at your door step.
Biggest success: It’s been just one year since I started the business, but the response I am getting is tremendous each day. From getting 2-3 orders a week to 200 per month is a big thing for me.
What is your top challenge and how you have addressed it? Balancing the ever demanding architecture degree and my start up at the same time was a big challenge. It still is. There are days I feel so frustrated that I just want to shut down the business. But knowing that people love the work that I do just keeps me going, and motivates me to become better and better each day.
Related: Work-Life Balance as Entrepreneurial Inspiration
Who is your most important role model? I don’t know how many people have heard of ZAHANA, it’s a trending brand and the owner, Pinal, is also from Chennai. I don’t know her personally but her work has inspired me to start my business. Yes, there are many other women entrepreneurs, but given that Pinal is only 2 years older than me, just inspired me more.
[box_light]Instagram thestyle_mode[/box_light]
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Edited by The Story Exchange