The drive: What challenges have you overcome?
The biggest challenge was finding suppliers that aligned with mine and the company’s vision and values. I try to make sure everything is ethical, from sourcing fabric to production, and that has proven to be a challenge, along with being in competition with fast fashion and how it has shaped the mentality of buyers. Everything is so readily available and cheap, so when you’re trying to ethically produce quality garments, it comes at a higher price point. I think because of fast fashion, people don’t realise what the true cost of a cheap garment actually is (forced labour, poor working conditions, unfair pay), and what goes into quality garments.
For better or worse: What are the pros and cons of running your own business?
The pros are seeing something you’ve envisioned and dreamt about for the longest time come to life. Seeing women wearing your garments and leaving glowing reviews, falling in love with something you designed and produced, it’s so fulfilling. The cons are learning how to do everything yourself, how to actually run a business and market it when you just want to be the designer! You have to do it all and when it’s not something you’re familiar with, it’s definitely hard. You have to put in a lot of work to learn.
Hopes and dreams: What next?
My dream is to be a well-known and well-loved brand in Australia and worldwide, something women look to when they are going through different stages of womanhood and motherhood. I’d love this to be my family’s sole income and employ my husband to be honest: let him handle the business side of things and I can just do what I do best – design! That’s the dream for sure!
Visit the Mina Finery website to browse their gorgeous garments. You can also connect with them on Facebook, Instagram and TikTok.
