Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Neha Sikder. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Neha, thanks for joining us today. Risk taking is something we’re really interested in and we’d love to hear the story of a risk you’ve taken.

I took a major risk when I started Desoire before even beginning high school. At the time, it felt like so much was on the line—my grades, education, and overall well-being. Balancing the workload of school and building a business seemed almost impossible. Fear crept in, making me question whether I could actually manage both. But as I weighed my options, one thought kept coming back to me: “No risk, no story.”

I asked myself, “Imagine the story I could tell. Imagine the people I could inspire. What if, just what if, this actually works out?” I couldn’t live with the idea of passing up on a dream I felt so strongly about, especially when I saw a clear gap in the market and knew I had the passion to fill it.

So, for the next three years, I dedicated myself to scaling that dream—working hard and taking this big risk, even if it meant sacrificing certain aspects of my education and teenage years. I won’t say there weren’t moments of stress and doubt because there were many. But it’s those challenges that make the journey so rewarding.

While Desoire’s future is still unfolding, I can confidently say that taking this risk was the best decision I’ve ever made. I’ve grown, learned so much, and met incredible people along the way. This journey, with all its ups and downs, has been worth every moment, and it keeps me excited for what’s to come.

Neha, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

I’m Neha Sikder, the 17-year-old founder of Desoire, a sustainable fashion brand free from gender conventions. I started my journey at 14, with a mission of tackling outdated gender norms. We focus on designing garments that tap into the middle ground of both feminine and masculine styles, and designing it for everyone, regardless of gender.

Throughout the years, Desoire has been featured in over 8 magazines across 3 continents, registered as part of the United Nations Fashion & Lifestyle Network, and sponsored by the BK Style Foundation for Brooklyn Fashion Week.

At Desoire, my mission has always been deeply rooted in challenging gender norms, but over time, it has grown into something much larger. I’ve come to realize the incredible power that comes with being a young entrepreneur—the ability to create real change and inspire others, regardless of age, to do the same. I want to encourage fellow changemakers who see gaps in the world and are bold enough to fight against them. My dream is to one day be the representation I longed for growing up, for my culture, and for young people like me who are determined to leave an impact in this world.

What’s a lesson you had to unlearn and what’s the backstory?

In the beginning, I bought into the idea that to succeed, you have to work every second of every day, just like the stories of young entrepreneurs who made millions before 25. But as I began building my own business, I realized something important: no one achieves success entirely on their own. Business thrives from collaboration; you don’t have to master everything yourself. Focus on what you’re good at and get help from others who have strengths where you don’t.

In today’s hustle culture, we often glorify burnout and the idea of being ‘self-made.’ But the reality is that tangible success is not about running yourself into the ground. It’s about taking sustainable, smaller steps that allow you to grow without sacrificing your well-being. You don’t have to rush to thrive, as this is a recipe for self-destruction—success comes from working with those you can learn from, asking for help, and creating a pace that works for you.

Have you ever had to pivot?

I recall getting an email from my fashion-manufacturing house, suddenly telling me that they were making a permanent decision to close operations. This was a major pivot point for Desoire. Not only did this manufacturing facility have parts of our inventory, but it also held a major component of our sustainability aspect, being a zero-waste manufacturer and enforcing ethical practices.

In the fashion industry, finding domestic, ethical, and sustainable manufacturing partners is a nightmare. There are so many factors to consider. I knew that I had to find an alternative, and time was ticking. I spent hours each day, for about a month, going through every number of every directory with hopes that one of the facilities could accommodate my smaller production sizes, advocate for ethical labor, and at an affordable price. It was such a stressful time, but I realized this is all part of the process, and soon enough, I would end up better than when I started.

In the end, I not only found a new partner but also reshaped Desoire’s entire production process, making it more resilient and adaptable than ever. That pivot showed me that what feels like a setback is often a setup for something greater—a chance to innovate, grow, and come out even stronger.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.desoire.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/desoireofficial/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/neha-sikder-3b926623a/

Image Credits

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