We recently connected with Idara Barney and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Idara thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. Almost all entrepreneurs have had to decide whether to start now or later? There are always pros and cons for waiting and so we’d love to hear what you think about your decision in retrospect. If you could go back in time, would you have started your business sooner, later or at the exact time you started?
I started my business during the height of COVID, which allowed me a great amount of time to be creative and focus solely on my business, I was a senior in high school at the time so I did have to balance work and school. But I run this business with my little sister, so having another person to lighten the load made it easier and more enjoyable. I actually don’t wish I had started my business sooner or later, I’m glad I started when I did because I was emotionally mature and intelligent enough to dedicate my time to my business. And if I started it in college, where I am right now, I don’t think I would’ve put as much effort into it as I did two years ago.
As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?
I am in the fashion/apparel industry, I’ve always had a love for fashion and during covid I began to shop excessively out of boredom from fast fashion sites. Eventually I learned about harms this causes to the environment and the people across the world who barely get paid and are constantly in danger by creating these clothes. I was on TikTok one day and came across a sewing video, I got inspired and begged my parents to get me a sewing machine, stating that I’d start a small business with it selling my creations. I did that for a month or two, I sold bucket hats, mini tote bags, and even patchwork jeans. I learned so much about fabric, sewing, and myself in those few months. Eventually I upgraded to an embroidery machine and started selling embroidered sweatshirts on Depop. I did that along with my sister for six months eventually we had earned enough revenue to create our own brand and began to look for cheap vendors outside of the U.S. Today this business is known as ‘Bani”, we’ve launched two collections and even relaunched our most popular Zip-Up Hoodie in a color that we let our audience choose via Instagram. I’m most proud of my sister and I’d dedication to our business, although we may be busy with school or life we always think about ways we can improve and expand Bani. I want our future audience to be aware of our dedication to our brand and to them, I want them to know we deeply appreciate the love and support.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
During my time at college so far, I have participated in a few campus markets where I was a vendor and put most of the popular items on the Bani website up for sale. I’ve great experiences with this, and some not so great experiences with this. A recent market that I participated in fact, really taught me something. I came with the inventory that I had left in my dorm, over the year I’d had customers and friends purchase items from me leaving me with just the popular “Juvi Jacket” and a couple tote bags. That day I only sold two items, and I was a little confused because at a previous market I had sold about six or seven items. I realized that I was catering to my audience I had brought items that were more expensive than what the average college student can spend on a random Tuesday, while at the previous market I had a range of items that allowed people to have different varieties of price. Instead of letting this moment deter me or put me down I decided to learn from it and communicate it with my sister so we didn’t make that mistake again.
What’s been the best source of new clients for you?
TikTok has honestly been the best source of new clients for us, most of our customers come from out TikTok after seeing a certain post we made or being intrigued in our products and wanting to see what other items we sell.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.banitheofficial.com
- Instagram: @banitheofficial
Image Credits
My incredible photographer: Alicia Ifill Her Instagram: @aliciaifillsphotos