We were lucky to catch up with Leana Shayefar recently and have shared our conversation below.
Alright, Leana thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What was it like going from idea to execution? Can you share some of the backstory and some of the major steps or milestones?
since the age of 20 I have been in the Fashion industry launched 2 other brands in my early 20’s and landed my first big purchase order with fashion retailer Charlotte Russe at 20 years old when I started the floral headband craze that swept the nation. Before that I had shopped my accessories around to local stores only to be rejected before Charlotte Russe gave me my first big break in the industry. Due to lack of funding and other various factors my first and second business ventures didnt get as far as I wanted.
After my 2nd child was born I joined Pilates to get over post pardum and to just get my body and mind back to where it was. It was through this journey that I decided I wanted to design again and at the time the market only had basic socks that did not fit my vibe. I started with a 10K start up and 1 style to test in the market space. samples and start up took 6 months to find the right supplier and complete my first style which was our Phish net grip sock which I launched in 2018 in 1 local studio in los angeles. After they sold out in a few days I knew I was onto something.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I worked all over the industry not only in fashion but in PR and marketing, event planning and gained a world of experience which I was able to apply to my brand today. Arebesk is my 3rd business venture and the one that has taken off. We are not selling in over 200o studios across 13 plus countries with a presence in national retailers like Nordstrom and Free People.
None of this has come easy. the past 6 years we have been working day and night and doing the impossible to make it in a market that once only had a few brands in the space.
Our grip socks have been seen on celebrities like Kelly Rowland and Alessandra Ambrosio and more.
How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start your business?
I only had 10K when starting up thats it. No marketing budget and just enough to launch 1 style. I think from past mistakes I learned that starting big does not ensure success. you have to be sure there is a need for the product you are creating and start small.
How’d you meet your business partner?
there is no co founder. I am 100% owner of the brand with no outside investors
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.arebesk.com
- Instagram: arebeskusa
- Facebook: arebesk
Image Credits
Jose Landeros – lifestyle and product pics
Sarah Orbanic – photographer of my personal photo