By: Nell Yu, Editor-in-Chief

When and how did you start Simba Clothing?

I have always believed there's a mindset one needs to have when facing challenges. One must be fearless. I wanted to share these beliefs with others.

During my senior year of high school, I had the idea of starting a clothing company. I drew from my family’s African heritage to name the brand. Simba in Swahili translates to “lion”. In January 2017, I officially launched the Simba Clothing website and established the brand.

Where do you get your design inspo from?

I pull my design inspirations from my travels and my environment. Art, culture, and the people I encounter inspire me in different ways. The designs also come from moods I am in and the message I want to send through my garments. I get inspired by the minimal yet sophisticated outfits of designers like Alexander Wang and Tim Coppens.

What is the biggest challenge starting a streetwear brand?

Honestly, taking the first step. The biggest fear people have when starting a business is managing their time, resources, and money to build something people will remember. Doing a lot of research helps and should be done when starting a business. Overcoming that first step of manifesting a brand has been the biggest challenge I have encountered.

What is the most rewarding thing about starting Simba Clothing?

The most rewarding thing has been watching Simba Clothing grow to a global scale. It’s rewarding to see your creations be accepted internationally. In addition, I know that I have inspired other young artists and entrepreneurs to pursue their passions and that means a lot to me.

How do you balance your academic life and your job as a founder of Simba Clothing?

I am a food science major planning on going to medical school and I run Simba Clothing in my free time. I find time management and prioritizing tasks to be key. For me, creating the brand does not feel like work. Putting in extra hours to perfect the website or to create a new design is a lot of fun for me. I also have a great team in Rochester, MN who helps with pop-up shops and other events.

What advice would you give to someone who also wants to start their fashion brand or career in fashion?

To anyone interested in creating a clothing brand or working in the fashion industry, I encourage you to not be afraid of pursuing and manifesting your dreams. I know that the clothing industry can be disheartening but dedication and perfecting a product will bring success. Creating and owning a clothing company has been an amazing experience.