We were lucky to catch up with Sarah Nimalan recently and have shared our conversation below.

Sarah, appreciate you joining us today. What do you think it takes to be successful?

Success is not just a destination, it’s a journey. A journey that requires hard work, faith, and perseverance. For me, success is not just about reaching a certain goal, it’s about everything that comes along with it. It’s not always easy, but it’s always worth it. There are many trials and tribulations that arise along the way, however it is important to remember that this builds character and helps you to gain resilience to challenges. Before creating Truly Debonaire, I earned my bachelor’s degree in commerce. However I still had that passion to do something creative, so I took a leap of faith and enrolled in Parsons School of Design. Becoming a fashion designer was attainable however it required a level of commitment and dedication to keep going. After years of planning and researching to create a collection that people would love, Truly Debonaire debuted its first collection at New York Fashion Week. The countless hours of brainstorming, the sleepless nights of designing, and the endless revisions all led to creating something tangible that people can relate to. Remember, behind every success story, there’s a story of hard work and perseverance!

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?

I am Sarah Asifa Nimalan, fashion designer and entrepreneur. I have a passion for faith and fashion, which has led me on such an exciting journey beyond what I could have imagined! I started out in the world of business, earning my Bachelor’s Degree in Commerce, while working alongside in my family’s print-finish business. I wanted to work in a more creative field and fashion was something that was always in my blood, as my late grandmother was a talented seamstress in her time. After making the decision to follow my dreams and enroll in fashion design school, I learned the necessary skills to build a fashion brand from the bottom up. Truly Debonaire is a fashion brand for people that is focused on empowering people worldwide to put their best foot forward in fashion. We sell high-quality workwear to evening wear garments that feature sleek blazers, matching suit sets, and cozy duster jackets. A unique aspect of Truly Debonaire we are proud of is using ethically sourced materials, adhering to sustainable practices and having inclusive sizing which caters to all body types. If you want to feel confident and powerful in your garments, ready to take on the world, then Truly Debonaire is the brand for you!

Any advice for managing a team?

As someone who has worked with various people throughout different aspects of this fashion business, I have learned that communication is the most important aspect. Whether you are working with someone in web design, a fashion model or a garment manufacturer, clear communication is key because it ensures that things move forward smoothly. Every individual has their own opinions and ideas, and it is important to hear people’s ideas out because working as a team is a collaborative experience, it is not based on just one person’s ideas. To effectively manage a team, it is helpful to provide clear expectations and deadlines, while also listening to your team’s concerns and feedback.

Maintaining high morale begins with setting a positive tone in your business. Truly Debonaire is a brand where ideas are encouraged, people are heard, and the results speak for themselves, through our collaborations in fashion shows and international publications. I encourage my co-workers to speak their mind respectfully because I love to hear others ideas’ and incorporate it in a unique way in my business. However, part of maintaining high morale also means setting clear boundaries and holding others accountable for their actions. Managing a team is a balance of effective communication and encouraging respect within individuals.

How did you build your audience on social media?

Building a strong social media presence was no easy task, especially starting from 0 followers. It took time, effort, and most importantly, the ability to be vulnerable in order to form genuine relationships. When I first started my social media journey whether it was for my personal page or for the brand page, it was amazing to see how many people were genuinely interested in my fashion journey and what Truly Debonaire was achieving in the fashion industry. One thing I learned along the way was the power of sharing your personal stories. I shared my social media journey through initially being in fashion school to gradually starting a brand and watching it grow each day.

We all know that anyone can create a social media page and post about their life, but what truly sets apart the accounts that stand out are the ones that share their personal journey. It’s not always easy to open up and share what’s important to you, but when you harness those vulnerable moments by speaking upon them, you form genuine connections. Social media can be challenging at times, although when you show up being authentic and sharing what is important to you, people are more likely to be interested.

So for all the aspiring entrepreneurs out there, don’t worry about what other big brands and businesses are doing. Instead, focus on what you want your audience to know about you and your brand. If you are passionate about something, don’t hesitate to share it with others, because you never know who you will connect with once you take the first step forward!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.trulydebonaireltd.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trulydebonaire/ and https://www.instagram.com/sarahasifa_lookbook/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-nimalan

Image Credits

The all white photo with 5 ladies is taken by Genti Hali and his Instagram is @gentihaliphotography

The remaining photos have been taken personally