Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Selina Ho, Founder of Recloseted, located in London, United Kingdom.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Recloseted is the first one-stop-shop sustainable fashion consultancy. We consult on sustainability strategy, supply chain, reporting, communications, and launch + scale-conscious fashion brands. We have lofty goals, but we're making them happen by launching + scaling sustainable fashion brands and helping existing brands become more sustainable.
Tell us about yourself
Fashion has always been a part of my life. My mother studied fashion in Shanghai and dreamt of starting her own silk scarves line. But when my parents immigrated to Canada, she had to give up her career to raise my sister and me. Although she put her brand on hold, she sparked my love for fashion and taught me everything she knew. Despite my love for fashion, I decided to start my career in business and marketing. I worked at Fortune 500s and startups but never felt fulfilled. Then one day at work, my blouse gave me a skin rash, and I realized that the polyester fabric was irritating my sensitive skin.
A quick internet search taught me that polyester was made out of crude oil (which shocked me), and so I dug deeper into the fashion industry. I went down a rabbit hole and learned about the unethical treatment of garment workers, the millions of tonnes of textile waste we send to the Global South, and everything else that is wrong with the garment industry. That's when I knew that I had to use my skills and expertise to help brands that deserved it and do my part to transform the fashion industry. I started Recloseted a month later and never looked back.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
The impact that Recloseted has made to date is my biggest accomplishment as a business owner. We've been about to work with 5,000+ brands, gather 10,000+ members in our community, speak at 100+ worldwide engagements, and donate 10% of proceeds back to the fashion industry + pro-bono hours provided to startup brands.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
One of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner is the amount of upleveling it requires to scale and grow your business. As the Founder/CEO, you don't want to be the bottleneck in your business's growth, so you need to continuously grow and improve yourself. It's one of the hardest things but also one of the most enjoyable.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- JUST START. Stop procrastinating and making excuses. Make a plan and start implementing.
- Everyone feels like an "imposter," but successful people accept it and use it as fuel to better themselves. Don't let your "imposter syndrome" get in the way of achieving your dreams.
- Surround yourself with like-minded individuals, so you are constantly being encouraged and motivated to achieve your goals.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.recloseted.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/recloseted
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/recloseted/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/recloseted
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/selinaho/
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.
Turn your craft into recurring revenue with Subkit. Start your subscription offering in minutes and supercharge it with growth levers. Get early access here.