Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in fashion and clothing but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Delfin Vaquilar, founder and creative director of Arrow Innovation, located in Toronto, ON, Canada.

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

Simply put, we design clothes that tell stories. The narrative is the essence of why we cherish our favourite paintings, music albums, movies, books. If people can find this attachment in streetwear, not only are they more inclined to keep and wear it for life- but it cant truly transform how we express ourselves on a day-to-day basis.

We make clothes for those who see fashion as a journey of experimentation and expression, an extension of who they really are.

Tell us about yourself

The business officially launched in March of 2020 at the start of the pandemic. I had a love for binging and critiquing movies and music albums and wondered if this level of care could ever be applied to streetwear. I was exhausted of a streetwear industry obsessed with trends, speed, and waste and realized that people deserve more- even in something as simple as a t-shirt.

I'm motivated by my ideas as a graphic designer and believe we all have stories that make us unique. I have stories I'd like to share as designs on my clothes, and this motivates me every day to do what I do.

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

  1. Understand your risks. Not just for the business, but for yourself, your time, headspace, and finances. Do not put everything on the line if you have no net to catch you if it all falls down. The pressure to scale and grow as fast as possible can quickly consume every other goal or metric what would otherwise lead to success.
  2. Automate as much as you can if you're running solo. Look at your daily to-do and think about the tasks you have to accomplish every day just to keep the business functioning. Using 3rd party integrations or services like Zapier and IFTTT can be huge on saving time on recurring tasks like delivering quotes or order fulfillment and saves you a ton of hassle.
  3. Be a smart collaborator and get professional help where it matters most to you. For fashion companies like my own, logo design, building a website, and a content creation have an immeasurable skill ceiling that can make or break your brand voice.

Is there anything else you'd like to share?

Just because you started the business doesn't mean you must be consumed by it. There's a sacrifice for any commitment, but at the end of the day, we still need time for ourselves, time to spend with others, and on things we love. Have fun!

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://www.arrowinnovation.co/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/arrow.innovation/

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.