We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Naima Starr. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Naima below.

Naima , appreciate you joining us today. Owning a business isn’t always glamorous and so most business owners we’ve connected with have shared that on tough days they sometimes wonder what it would have been like to have just had a regular job instead of all the responsibility of running a business. Have you ever felt that way?

I’ve always known I would never be one to settle with a “regular” job, for me money isn’t the only ultimate goal. I do things that make me happy and if it doesn’t make me happy I drop it. Fashion has always made me happy, expressing myself through clothing has always been something I subconsciously did. I never think what it would be like to have a regular job because it was never something I dreamed of doing or having. I’m blessed to have the vision and drive that I do and I l know it will take me far as long as I stay focused.

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

I am a 17 year old clothing brand owner of newestlooks , slowly moving into becoming a handmade fashion designer. I began with my brand as a fashion inspiration page for people having trouble finding their style and I knew I wanted to expand on that thought of helping people find their aesthetic or even not having to pick one at all. So, I decided to create a clothing brand that focused on bringing customers unique affordable clothing without having to conform under one style. Every collection I release is completely opposite of the other; creating a new experience for my customers each release. What I am most proud of involving my business is how I am able to remain consistent in my collections and bring fresh ideas to my brand each time while balancing being a teenager, school, and extra curricular’s. I want every customer and future customers to know that I am forever grateful of the support and I am so happy that I am able to share with others what I truly love.

Do you sell on your site, or do you use a platform like Amazon, Etsy, Cratejoy, etc?

I created a website for my brand, selling solely through www.nlfashionthrift.com The process of creating this website; especially all on my own I had to figure out what website builders were best for me and how to make it a reflection of my brand. When I first started my brand I used big cartel which I’d say is the best for beginners as it has a template already built for you and you can just edit the colors to your liking. To create professional marketing for my brand I also bought a domain so I can have a website associated with my brand and not the website builder. I almost immediately grew out of big cartel because of the lack of freedom I had with my website and began searching for others. Soon after I found Wix which is very different in price range but way more convenient.

Can you talk to us about how your funded your business?

Because I am legally underage it is hard applying for grants to put towards a business so instead I had to save my money and invest in myself. Whether it be from another job I had or even from side hustles I’d acquired in order to help fund my dream. Although it was not a lot of money it was something to get my ideas forward, I never started with inventory because well I didn’t need to, as a business owner if you do not provide a high interest in a product there wot be a high demand for it and because I had just been starting out there was no high demand so it would have been an irresponsible way to spend that money I saved.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.nlfashionthrift.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/newestlooks/
• Linkedin: https://linktr.ee/newestlooks
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXOz1NSt716_lHw7EvAz-9Q

Image Credits
Nia Bryant Sydney Wilson