Today we’d like to introduce you to Aisha Rawji.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
My story to KYNAH started when I was 13 years old, a teenager with love for fashion which was sparked by my mom’s South Asian clothing store RAAZ. Fast forward a few years, and I found myself graduating from Boston University’s Questrom School of Business for undergrad and moving to New York to work in tech.
Three years into my career, as any quarter-life crisis would have it, I reflected on my passions and desires, and how I always had the dream of becoming an entrepreneur in the fashion industry. With this dream, I enrolled myself in The New School’s Open Campus courses and created a business plan.
Two weeks before the class ended, I found myself in India creating my first line and launched KYNAH in September 2017. The rest is history!
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Definitely not – and although I could easily say I envy anyone that has had a smooth road, the challenges and curveballs are what make you grow as a person, a leader, and an entrepreneur. My first struggle was that I had zero experience in fashion – I had to teach myself nearly everything (outside of what I learned at The New School).
My second struggle was navigating the nuances of business practices in India while being based in the US. It hasn’t been easy, but a year and a half later, I finally feel like I have a good grasp on it. All of our pieces are made-to-order, which present challenges for production, but having the ability to create pieces to the customers liking is a huge upside and a large part of the company’s success. It allows us to connect with the customer on another level.
We’d love to hear more about your business.
KYNAH is an e-commerce company that specializes in traditional Indian wear designed and curated for the next generation of modern South Asian women. We are known for creating timeless saris, lenghas, and outfits that combine traditional styles with up-to-date trends.
There are tons of talented and competitive companies in the space, but we are proud to say that our quality, design, and customer service sets us apart from others. We have worked hard to find the best manufacturers, designers, and creatives around the world to drive this brand.
As a women-led company that caters to a diverse, cultured and contemporary audience, we are raising the bar in spotlighting a demographic that isn’t recognized enough.
What were you like growing up?
Growing up I was extremely driven and curious. I pretty much found myself in every extracurricular you could think of: dance, basketball, sewing, karate, violin, soccer – you name it. I think that helped me eventually narrow down my true interests and passions.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.shopkynah.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/shopkynah/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shopkynah/
Image Credit:
Photographer: Maria Bokhari
Models: Nida Khurshid, Sonia Sandha
Hair & Makeup: Julie Hirji
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