We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Marie Isabel Ruano Iglesias. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Marie Isabel below.
Marie Isabel, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today How did you come up with the idea for your business?
UNIQUE began in the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, in my room and in between online Master’s degree classes. I had a strong desire to start something on my own because I wasn’t clear of what I was going to do after graduating. UNIQUE came along the way, it wasn’t planned at all. The business started totally different from what it is today (a clothing brand).
At first, the business was a hobby of personalizing items. I remember my first orders were personalized Christmas ornaments, and when we were on lockdown, I started making custom PJs and it was a success. However, everything changed when my mom inspired me to start the clothing brand.
My mom has always loved the name and she told me that it was perfect to share the message of self love and acceptance through a clothing brand. I loved the idea and I started to choose pieces of clothing that were my style: minimal, comfortable and most importantly: established “sets” that saved me time. Getting dressed on time has always been a pain point for me and that’s why I love co-ord sets so much. I know a lot of people struggle with this too.
I later took courses on how to build websites, I designed and launched my website, registered the brand and trademarked my logo. In that moment is when the business shifted from personalized items to a clothing brand.
I launched the brand on February 2021. I also registered the business, trademarked my logo, and from then on I have worked on different collections, on a lot of marketing to create brand awareness and a lot of content that carries our message.
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?
My name is Marie Isabel also known by my nickname “Chavi”. I am 24 years old. I was born and raised in Puerto Rico, but I now live in Miami since 2015. I did. a BA in Marketing and a Master’s in International Business
The main reason why I started UNIQUE is because my mom and I saw an emotional gap on the market. People with insecurities and constantly comparing themselves to others. We also saw how people wanted to be comfortable in style (specially during and after the pandemic).
UNIQUE is a brand that offers minimal style and comfortable clothing. We want our customers to feel good about themselves while saving them time, giving them confidence inside and out. UNIQUE clothing is meant to be easy and timeless. It’s for people that are “on the go”. However, beyond minimal style and comfy clothes, our brand celebrates how UNIQUE we are as individuals.
What sets us apart is our message of self love and acceptance. Celebrating people as they are with my clothing brand. We live in a world where we spend time comparing ourselves to others and where the beauty industry makes us feel like we are not enough. With UNIQUE it is the opposite. We celebrate what distinguishes you in others, we empower you, we break stereotypes and we make a difference.
What makes me most proud as a businesswoman is that at an early age I am doing what I love and I am passionate about. I feel this is my purpose in life. It’s so beautiful to me because not only I am making my dream a reality but I am also serving and helping others along the way.
Learning and unlearning are both critical parts of growth – can you share a story of a time when you had to unlearn a lesson?
A lesson that I had to unlearn is that busyness/productivity is related to success. (In other words, toxic productivity). When in reality our productivity has nothing to do with our success. You don’t have to be busy all the time to succeed. There is no connection between money and busyness, there is no connection between success and busyness. Only 20% of our agenda is what is really impacting our success in the future. That is why it is better to take it day by day, to enjoy the process, and to be content in the present moment. The life of our dreams do not consist of exhaustion or extreme hustle.
I was a person that I used to feel bad and lazy when I wasn’t doing something related to the business. I didn’t allow myself to rest or relax. And that was such a toxic and egocentric behavior. The more we relax, the more things flow. My daily thoughts, my inspired actions and attitudes are what determines my success, my lifestyle and my happiness. What we put out in the world is what we receive, and whatever you put your focus on is expanding. What we think and feel, we create. We create what we believe.
Are there any books, videos, essays or other resources that have significantly impacted your management and entrepreneurial thinking and philosophy?
Reading and continued education has been crucial to my entrepreneurial journey.
Books I recommend:
“You are a badass” -Jen Sincero
“The power of your subconscious mind” -Joseph Murphy
“Building a Story Brand” Donald Miller
“This is not a Fashion Story” -Danielle Bernstein
“The Compound Effect” -Darren Hardy
Podcasts:
Manifestation Babe
Viene y Va con Dani G Schulz
Courses:
Business Class by Sophia Amoruso
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.unique-official.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/u.niqueofficial/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marie-isabel-ruaño-iglesias/
- Other: https://www.pinterest.com/uniqueofficialllc/
Image Credits
Ana Rosado Jesús Cañizalez