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

Pavlina, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today How did you come up with the idea for your business?

I was always inspired by fashion and design so anything I did pretty much was always connected to that. Sunglasses in the beginning was just an addition to my collection but it shortly became an obsession and now I exclusively sell sunglasses

Pavlina, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

I was working in the marketing department of Skechers when I had this urge to start my own business. It’s not easy and it’s mostly scary to transition from a safe place and a secure monthly income to well… the unknown. I wasn’t trusting myself to be disciplined enough, wake up early and work consistently without distractions. But when you work for yourself not only you work more but you work harder and wait for it : you LOVE it. It’s inspiring and uplifting to create something on your own. Behind the scenes though I wear pretty much all hats : the delivery guy : me, the storage guy : me, the marketing person:: me, the designer: me, the instagram model also me. And although people see only the glamorous side of it there is a lot of hard work behind. You become multidimensional whether you want it or not lol . Shadz sunglasses are super affordable but still amazing quality.. Sunglasses are accessories that are absolutely necessary but everyone looses a pair. (Seriously I have yet to meet someone who hasn’t lost a pair.) And the feeling when loose the super expensive designer ones …. that hurts.
My dilemma as a designer is still to keep the price affordable and the quality amazing. It’s super important to protect your eyes with quality lenses. And a fun fact is that sunglasses also protect the sensitive skin around the eyes. So less wrinkles too. How amazing is to combine practical and fashionable together.

Can you open up about how you funded your business?

The first month when I started my business I made 200 bucks. Yes the whole month. I felt so discouraged. I left a well paid secure job for this ?! I felt like a fool. However I was encouraged by my husband who took the financial burden of both of us for a while. And also from other people in the business who explained that it takes time before you hit momentum.
The reality is that we need others. We connect, we collaborate, we help each other, we inspire each other. That’s the only way to be successful is to have the support and encouragement. Whether it’s family or friends or community or all of the above lol .

Okay – so how did you figure out the manufacturing part? Did you have prior experience?

It’s not easy to predict demand. Some designs I’m sure will sell and I’m wrong. Others I’m just testing for fun and they become best sellers. Overtime I just learned to trust customers. Not even trends. Just customers and their buying habits Otherwise I end up with a ton of unsold products and that’s usually a pretty big loss.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: Shadzsunglasses

Image Credits
Viktoria Sirakova