This entrepreneur keeps creative concepts and business strategies fresh by looking beyond herself for inspiration. Read her story and philosophy to find some new ideas of your own.
Artists pull from the world around them to fuel their creativity, and Esma Sherwani, founder of clothing boutique Syra Amr, is no different. The aspiring clothing designer wanted to create a brand unique enough to compete in an overflowing industry yet versatile enough for daily life. So, she turned to global trends and fellow entrepreneurs to find the inspiration necessary to bring her idea to life.
Sherwani explains her goal for Syra Amr, saying, “I have always been very interested in establishing my own company. I combined that with my passion for clothing and created Syra Amr … to serve customers who desired unique and versatile clothes that were a fusion of Western and Eastern fashion.”
To design the style and quality of clothing she wanted, Sherwani had to look outside of her own personal bubble. She explains, “As a designer, inspiration can be found anywhere you look. When I came up with the concept of Syra Amr, I closely researched upcoming trends in Eastern fashion and combined that with the styles and color palette of the West. I knew I wanted my first collection to be affordable and simple so that the clients would be able to use the pieces in many ways.”
But her need to get creative didn’t stop at design—she also required inventive ways to keep costs low and fresh ideas for tackling the less glamourous tasks of business ownership. She says, “As any startup company, I had a very small budget that limited the kind of material I wanted to buy. I was able to overcome that by sourcing my material from Eastern markets.” When it comes to inspiration for running her business, Sherwani looks to other entrepreneurs, explaining, “It’s very important to read and research tactics and strategies other successful business owners used. And, learn from their mistakes.”
Why the strong emphasis on inspiration? Ultimately, Sherwani knew that to compete in the clothing industry, she had to offer something that indie brands and more established lines weren’t. She says, “The fashion industry is oversaturated with new designers. It’s hard to compete with established brands. Knowing this, I made sure I offered a product that appealed to a larger market but was also unique.”
Combining this outlook with hard work is the key to Sherwani’s success. For her fellow entrepreneurs, she offers a few inspiring words of her own: “It is very important to stay consistent and motivated. Most business owners are breaking even at the launch of their company. But, with persistence and hard work, you’ll definitely create a successful business.”
Interested in checking out Sherwani’s beautiful line of clothing? Take a look at her stunning website at www.syraamr.com and follow her on Instagram.
