We were lucky to catch up with Mim Na Chiangmai recently and have shared our conversation below.

Mim, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. What was it like going from idea to execution? Can you share some of the backstory and some of the major steps or milestones?

I was searching for something more meaningful in my life. Something that could give me a sense of freedom while creating impact for others. I love patterns & textiles and since my mom loves to sew, the idea for Soulzential came to me one day on a trip to Thailand. I wanted to create something using patterns that represent South East Asian culture and add my own unique flavor. I told my mom and she was on board. We formed a small team and launched it almost right away. We drew the patterns, got the fabric, created labels, packaging, social media, branding — Everything we needed to build a brand. I was working as a server back then, so when I was off from my shift I worked on my business. I was obsessed with it because I wanted to launch so badly. And the truth is, we launched it before we felt ready, hoping the experience would help us become stronger as a brand. And it sure did. The first month was filled with challenges and obstacles. For example, the prototype didn’t turn out right, but it worked for us because we never mass produce. The biggest obstacle was COVID, we had everything ready but because of that we had to move everything online. We spent the whole year sprucing up our brand. Moment after moment, empowering decisions mixed with bad ones, I am grateful for all of them because they have helped me shape Soulzential to where it is today.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

How you got into your industry / business / discipline / craft etc,

It all started with my self-discovery journey. I was searching for something more meaningful in my life. Something that could give me sense of freedom while creating impact for others. I love patterns & textiles and since my mom loves to sew, the idea for Soulzential came to me one day on a trip to Thailand. We collaborated and launched it right away. We launched it before we felt ready, hoping the experience would teach us to become stronger as a brand and it sure did. Moment after moment, empowering decisions mixed with bad ones, I am grateful for all of them because they have helped me shape Soulzential to where it is today.

What do you do?

I am the owner of Soulzential, handmade bohemian clothing inspired Southeast Asia. I design products in Oceanside, CA and my mom and her team handmade it in my hometown, Chiang Mai, Thailand

What sets you apart from others?

Creating handmade clothing that is super unique and infused with Southeast Asian culture with my mom as the head of seamstress. Also my customers are my tribe, supporting Soulzential’s vision and journey, and I think that sets it apart from others.

What are you most proud brand wise?

Right now I’m most proud of the small moments and the relationship that I have with our customers. Like when our customer smile and say, “That’s exactly what I have been looking for!” Or, “I come to this event just for you!”. Building a brand is building relationships, and when you build good relationship, you create impact.

What are the main things you want potential clients/followers/fans to know about you/your brand/your work/ etc.

In Soulzential, we value slow fashion and aim to create timeless, high quality pieces. Each item is designed in small batches and NEVER mass produced. As we evolve, our mission is to create a positive impact on our environment and provide jobs for local families. We aim for integrity and long term sustainability for a better + cleaner future.

Where do you think you get most of your clients from?

The best source of new clients for me is in-person events. However, the events have to be in the right location and match my brand’s vibe & clientele. When you go to the right events, you will attract the people that LOVE your products, who are READY to support your journey, and tell everyone they know about it. The people that aren’t just buying your products, but are IN LOVE with your brand.

Not only do you get to create trust & build relationships with new clients at in-person events, but there are a ton of ripple effects that could benefit your brand, including sales.

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

Despite all of the marketing techniques I’ve used, one of the most effective strategies for growing my clientele is simply to be myself. I genuinely love to connect with my clients, tell them about my brand, and get to know them as a person. Not only do they buy the product because they love it, but they also love who you are and the impact you are making. I had one couple drive over 3 hours just to support my business and it touched me so deeply. Being your authentic self is by far the most effective strategy for me. Your perfect clientele will come for you, and they will tell their people about you. Your business expands. Your connections expand. It’s a win-win situation.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.soulzential.com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/soulzential
• Other: www.tiktok.com/@soulzential

Image Credits
Thakitphat Boonrit