All over my social media I have consistently seen girls making videos about starting their own brand, but none of them know where to start. Well let me tell you, I didn't know where to start either. In fact, I didn't know I was starting.
In December of 2023 I accidentally started a tiny business that quickly grew into shipping products to 32 states in the US within weeks. A friend of a friend requested a bow sewn on a crewneck, I challenged myself and did it, shared it on social media, and never looked back! It has always been a dream of mine to have my own brand, but I never knew exactly what I wanted to do, didn't have the right connections, and felt it was all just unattainable. But all it really takes is being determined and having people behind you for support! It seriously wouldn't be a brand without my family and friends guiding me with their encouraging words and even some of their ideas too! Although, yes, it's myself behind it, sewing it, putting in the work - the people in my corner have helped me think outside the box, brainstorm marketing ideas, and even designed products themselves!
So, this is all to tell you to bring in your support system when you have a dream. You never know the connections they have or how putting your minds together will work out. It's turned my brand into something I didn't even know I had the capacity to do, and I've had the best cheerleaders to tell me I could!
Anna Katherine is products with hand sewn ribbons and patches on them, starting with the original bow design, and now has evolved into pajamas, sets, home decor, tanks, and more products launching soon. I have worked with brands and influencers who seemed so out of reach to me a year ago, girls I'd fangirled over and now they own my apparel. I remind myself constantly how surreal it is, but I am so thankful to be where I am now - post-grad running my own clothing brand!
So what now? How do you do it too? Don't get me wrong, I still ask myself what to do next - it's hard and with the current industry and trends, I really have to try and keep up. I have new goals every day, week, month; where I want to be a year from now too. Start there! Dream up your ideas and write it all down. Think of the people in your life who would want to help you and dream out loud with them!
Draw mockups, put content out there, and use to your advantage the brands you love who share daily on social media. TikTok has been my best friend in this process. Over half of my sales are those who come across my day in the life videos and bits of my sewing process. They’ve turned into into loyal consumers! Comment on girls' videos like you and form friendships! You don't have to have a fashion background, be a content creator, or have thousands of dollars to start. It's all so worth it to put yourself out there and try something new! Stitch up your dream brand and shop Anna Katherine!