Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Karen Sosa. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Alright, Karen thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?
Upon arriving in this country as an immigrant, I faced an incredibly difficult situation. I didn’t know anyone apart from a few relatives, including my partner and my two brothers. One of my brothers lived with me and witnessed my despair at seeing that our apartment lacked even the most basic necessities, except for an inflatable bed to sleep on.
My brother worked weekends cleaning houses, and I vividly remember the day he came home with a sewing machine gifted to him at work. Upon seeing it, I thanked God, knowing that it would enable me to start anew. Though saddened by the prospect of starting from scratch, I told myself I could do it over and over because I’ve always felt God’s presence by my side.
The next day, I drafted a small advertisement stating “Alterations done at Apartment 59” along with my contact number and placed it in the apartment mailbox. I knew someone would eventually see it.
In the afternoon, I heard a knock on the door. It was the condominium office secretary, needing a hem for her son’s pants as he was about to start school. She asked when it would be ready, and I told her if she could wait, I would do it immediately, albeit standing as we had no place to sit. She smiled and agreed.
Upon completion, she asked how much she owed me. I replied that she was my first client and she could decide how much to pay. I had no idea what the fair price for alterations was, but she was very kind and gave me $20 as payment.
That’s how I earned my first dollars, a small step forward in my journey as an immigrant and entrepreneur.
Karen, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
Originally from Honduras, my journey in the fashion industry began after working diligently in alterations. I met a special woman who helped me discover my true passion in fashion design, a career I had studied in Honduras and wanted to pursue in the United States. I started by making her wedding dress, and by showcasing it, I attracted more clients for my future designs. From that moment on, I believe I captured the hearts of many more clients.
I began offering a variety of services, from wedding dresses to formal suits and casual pieces. With the flow of work, I was able to address challenges such as providing for my children’s needs, contributing to household expenses, and assisting my family abroad. What sets me apart is my focus on helping clients meet their clothing needs for every occasion, offering guidance on colors that complement their skin tone and style.
I am proud to have won a recognized fashion design competition in Houston, Texas, despite not speaking English. As a mother of three children from a humble family, I have faced many challenges in life, but I am here to teach my children that anything is possible with determination.
The name of my brand, Nashdy Designs, is composed of the initials of my three children’s names and was created with the goal of empowering all women worldwide, making them feel unique and loved by themselves, and always beautiful in whatever they wear.
Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?
The most effective strategy to expand my client base has been word-of-mouth recommendations from satisfied customers, as well as my foray into the Nigerian market. By creating stunning designs for brides, bridesmaids, and gala dresses, I have managed to stand out in the fashion industry and stay top of mind with consumers. Additionally, I have invested in paid advertising on various social media platforms, allowing me to reach a broader and more diverse audience. This combination of strategies has afforded me the opportunity to collaborate with beauty pageant directors and dress various beauty queens internationally, further enhancing my visibility and credibility in the market.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
My journey has been marked by hard work from the very beginning. I started practically from scratch, cutting on the floor and sewing at the dining table. Despite having to tidy up everything over and over again, this experience made me stronger and drove me to keep fighting with even more determination. Balancing the care of my young children with work has been exhausting, but I have managed my time efficiently. Despite the challenges, I have never stopped pursuing my goals. I continue to fight with a positive attitude and am eager to have my own storefront where I can showcase my beautiful creations, as I currently work from home. I believe that everything I have gone through has been necessary on my journey because each obstacle has made me stronger.
Contact Info:
Image Credits
@Fabiola_alvarez_photography @Romy Sandoval @Majo Fhotography @marroquincarlos9 @emersonphotohn @Terrythomasphotography