Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in clothing but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Jimmy Zollo, Co-Founder & CEO of Joe & Bella, located in Chicago, IL, USA.

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

Joe & Bella is revolutionizing adaptive apparel for older adults by offering innovative functionality and premium fashion that enables easier, faster, and safer dressing. Our first original product, CareZips Adaptive Pants by Joe & Bella, was recently named "Best New Product" by Caregiver.com. Joe & Bella was named "Up and Comer" of the Year" in 2022 by Chicago Innovation.

Tell us about yourself

I am the Co-founder and CEO of Joe & Bella, an adaptive apparel brand for older adults. After graduating from Indiana University, I honed my sales and marketing skills with the NBA and WNBA before joining the startup team at GrubHub. While with GrubHub, I worked to launch 30 markets and helped lay the foundation for much of their future sales strategy. In 2017,  I co-founded with my father, Peter Zollo, Collaborate, a market research startup that develops innovative large-scale projects focusing on key demographic groups. In 2021, I co-founded the Multicultural Insights Collective to help organizations assess and improve their Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) strategies and practices.

What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?

Joe & Bella is mission-focused: we're trying to make a difference in people's lives. We're creating adaptive apparel that makes getting dressed and undressed easier, quicker, and safer for countless older adults and, in many cases, their caregivers. We know that our products can have an immediate impact on the everyday lives of countless people. Being able to execute that mission, and see our products in the hands of those that need them most, is unquestionably what our team is most proud of.

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

The U.S. is an aging society. Yet, despite this omnipresent reality, the U.S. does not prioritize innovation for older adults. Whether pitching for funding, distribution, or partnership, I've been met with occasionally overt and, more often, subtle bias against the individuals we aim to serve. We've been told that the quality of our product doesn't matter, that the style and the fashion of our product don't matter: because of our customer's age. But, we are steadfast in our beliefs. As we age, our bodies and abilities change, and we can no longer wear the clothes that we love; life becomes even more unfair. What we wear is part of our identity. We don't believe anyone should have to give up wearing clothes that look and feel like themselves, clothes that they love.

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

  1. Focus on solving a real problem: Successful businesses usually are rooted in a clear understanding of a customer problem and a unique solution to that problem. Conducting market research, listening to customer feedback, and continuously iterating on your product or service can help you stay focused on solving your customers' needs.
  2. Build a strong team: Your success is ultimately dependent on the people you work with. Finding and recruiting talented individuals with complementary skills and a shared vision can help you execute your business plan more effectively. Additionally, surrounding yourself with people who believe in you and your vision can help you stay motivated during the inevitable ups and downs of entrepreneurship.
  3. Start: Starting, in many ways, is the hardest past. If you believe in yourself and what you're building, take the leap.

Where can people find you and your business?

Website: https://joeandbella.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ShopJoeandBella
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hellojoeandbella/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ShopJoeandBella
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/joe-bella/

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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