Nadia Cherif created Merjan Organics, which is a playful, beach-inspired clothing line based in Southern California
I stay motivated by… Focusing on the opportunities I've been given and cherishing the wins big and small. Success is something that's built over time, but staying connected to my passions and taking time to appreciate the day-to-day achievements is what motivates me to keep going.
Three adjectives that describe me are… Passionate, imaginative, intuitive. I can at times also be somewhat impulsive, but it's helped me in some cases when the risk-taking has paid off.
If I could have dinner with one person… I would have dinner with Stella McCartney. She has been such a leader for sustainability in fashion and I'd love to ask her how she was able to make lasting changes at her brand and in the industry.
The most exciting innovation to me is… Social Media. I love being able to instantly connect with our customers virtually via our instagram @merjanorganics and our pinterest. There's nothing better than discovering we've been tagged in a new photo and see the joy of the little ones (and mamas!) celebrating special moments in Merjan.
Merjan Organics is a playful, beach-inspired clothing line based in Southern California. We make thoughtfully designed, earth-friendly pieces for stylish mamas and littles. Our organic cotton fabrics are light weight and breathable, for a wear that is easy on sensitive skin. Shop our website at www.merjanorganics.com for unique styles that can transition from beach to backyard party, and all your celebrations in between.
How did you come up with your business idea? What inspired you?
My husband and I both share a passion for wellness and natural living, and we wanted to build something that could fit our lifestyle and benefit those in our community. This brand allows me to continue designing while also growing our family. I love creating and never want to stop. Seeing the impact of what we are doing and the joy that we bring our customers is so fulfilling and it energizes us every day to keep going and do more.
What were you doing before this? How did it prepare you for the entrepreneurial life?
I studied fashion at Parsons and afterwards worked in design in New York and in Los Angeles. From each company I worked for, I learned different approaches to the same goal of creating a beautiful and sellable collection. It strengthened my intuition and informs the decisions I make at Merjan now. I feel my time working in Los Angeles was also essential before starting Merjan because I met people who guided me in the right direction and made introductions to partners and collaborators for our business.
What do you think is the biggest obstacle for female founders? How can we overcome it?
The biggest obstacle that I have encountered as a female founder so far is the balance of work and family life. My husband and I are expecting our first child, due in September. As much as we agree that women are superheroes (we ARE), that doesn't mean that as a pregnant woman you have full energy 100% of the time. I've had to adapt, working more and pushing harder on the up days and taking time to rest when the fatigue sets in. I'm grateful that being a founder allows me to have flexibility in my schedule, and that I have people that I know I can rely on. I think in general women carry a heavier load if they are balancing both work and family, and the best thing we can do is to advocate for ourselves.
How do you generate new ideas to stay relevant on the market? Is it important to innovate in your space?
We source ideas from vintage clothing and photo inspirations, looking for playful details that are globally inspired. Our prints are inspired by art and also call upon global destinations.
It is important to always innovate to stay relevant, and fashion is moving so quickly. We design our clothes to last, with flowy, effortless silhouettes that can be worn for more than a season. In fact, this is reflected in our sizing which is staggered to allow for each garment to be worn and loved for longer.
What sacrifices have you had to make to be a successful entrepreneur?
I've had to be willing to do everything and anything that needs to be done for the company. When you first start out pretty much everything that needs to get done is your responsibility. For me, that meant not only designing, but doing quality control, tracking expenses, filing paperwork and booking meeting spaces. The majority of the work starting out is not glamorous. However, nobody will care more about your company than you do, and I also think it's important to know how things work before you bring someone on to help out. Also, for many entrepreneurs its key to conserve on spending where ever possible. We launched Merjan with our savings and even borrowed from friends and family a few times. Going this route means we have full ownership of our company but it also made saving where ever possible essential.
What is your biggest dream? Why?
I would love to see Merjan grow as a brand and also as a community. As we grow, Merjan will extend beyond the products that we sell to bring value to our customers in other meaningful ways. Merjan is a family brand that creates products that surprise and delight, but also be one that creates a community with a unique personality and shared values. We will be offering events, sharing resources, and connecting families to create their own #OnceUponMerjan story. We have actually just launched our email newsletter where we will be taking the opportunity to do this virtually for now. Head over to www.MerjanOrganics.com and enter your email, and you'll not only get 25% off but you'll at the top of our list for the resources and the events that we are planning.