#10 | Sareh Nouri | Having Resiliency as a Business Owner and Doing Things All The Way

In this episode of AWESOME People, Iman Huschmand had the opportunity to catch up his long time friend, and talented fashion designer, Sareh Nouri. The Virginia native has spent the majority of the past decade creating some of the most beautiful bridal gowns and sashes, and growing her fashion house Sareh Nouri New York. Her brand is now in the most iconic stores around the world and in this episode, she reflects not only on her upbringing, family and career journey, but what her and her team have done during the Corona Virus period to help health professionals in New York and New Jersey.

 

SHOW NOTES:

Introduction of Sareh Nouri [2:10]

Being a parent of two during a stay-at-home situation [6:03]

Early life and the story of Sareh’s love affair with design and bridal gowns/weddings [7:00]

Keeping up with the times and continuing to create fresh unique wedding gown designs [12:35]

Taking a leap of faith and creating goals [14:00]

How the Pandemic has affected the bridal gown industry and the wedding industry as a whole [16:15]

Advice to her past self and challenges for up and coming designers [26:40]

Sareh’s favorite department stores that picked up her design lines (ah-ha moments) [32:00]

Ensuring your brand is represented the right way and the importance of staying involved in the process [36:10]

Juggling life at home with life as an entrepreneur while staying mentally and physically healthy [38:45]

Closing remarks and what it takes to be a business owner [43:45]

 

QUOTES:

“I think what helped me [get designs picked up by stores] better than any school, was to work with the brides one on one.” [11:43]

“I’m the brides designer. I do create unique pieces, but they’re not too out of the box; they’re for the bride.” [13:33]

“From the very beginning I said to my husband ‘If I do this, I’m going to do this all the way, I’m not going to make this a hobby’ Either I do it, or I don’t do it […] from the beginning I set myself up with goals.” [14:23]

“In the beginning, I did everything by myself. You have to take baby steps. You can’t just go in and get a loan or spend all of your personal money. You have to do baby steps, and you have to do it yourself.” [27:36]

“The most challenging thing is finding the right talent. Finding the right talent is extremely important. Meaning, good dress makers, good cutters, good pattern makers, good managers, good sales people […]” [30:55]

“What I’m really proud of, is that I was able to keep manufacturing here in the United States., and I planned doing that. Made in the USA, that is so important for me. I have to have an eye on my production, I have to be able to have control over my production, and I want to offer jobs here […]” [38:00]

“I’m a very resilient person. I think that’s the personality you have to have if you want to have a business. You have to have thick skin and you can’t take anything personally […] you have to ask questions, and you have to ask for help.” [44:22]

 

FOLLOW IMAN AND SAREH ON IG: @imanhuschmand @sarehnouri