Inspiring Conversations with Alexandra J Nakamura of Sumiye Co

Today we’d like to introduce you to Alexandra J Nakamura.

Hi Alexandra J, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today?
I’m a jack-of-all trades with endless curiosity! I went to school for photography & fine arts. I have both painted & worked as a photographer professionally. I worked as a bartender to pay for college and later became involved in the restaurant aspect of hospitality because of my deep connection (a.k.a. obsession) with food. I have run restaurants, managed the food & beverage program at hotels, been a culinary instructor, worked as a personal chef, you name it! I’ve also had brief careers as a promoter, DJ (who hasn’t?!), event planner and digital marketer. But I have finally landed the love of my professional life: my ethical store Sumiye Co. I have been able to use everything I’ve learned in all of my tumbling around to bring to life my mission-driven company. We are a hub for stylish and fun women-owned independent brands that care for the environment and well-being of others.

I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
The biggest struggle with starting my own business was self-doubt. The most exhausting thing during the first few months of running my business was fighting negative impulses and thoughts. If you really want to get to know yourself (and hopefully befriend yourself), start your own business! All the other major challenges I fought while working under someone else…. and there are too many to count. I always knew I wanted to be my own boss so I approached all my jobs and challenges with that end in mind. When I was in charge of someone else’s business, I would treat it like it was my own. I’m very clear now about what I like or dislike in a work environment and that’s thanks to both great and awful bosses. I’ve learned that one way to smooth the road ahead is by distilling the lessons from good and bad experiences. It’ll help add meaning to your past and avoid resentment or regrets.

I have been very lucky that the stars have aligned to bring Sumiye Co to life. Having a mission-driven business is incredibly fulfilling. There were a lot of times at the beginning of building Sumiye Co when I would be paralyzed by dread but there must be a star shining over me because any time that happened I would immediately get a beautiful review from a customer, a big sale for a product I wasn’t sure about, an unexpected source of revenue or a sign of support from friends or family members. I’m not typically a cryer, but I was moved to tears A LOT during the first few month seeing the positive response around Sumiye CO.

Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Sumiye Co?
‘Sumiye’ is a Japanese female name that means ‘Bright Mind, Smart Girl’. The name also signifies ‘Pure, Longevity, Beautiful, Blessed’.

Sumiye Co is dedicated to the power of the female spirit. Our mission is to be a home for independent, sustainable, women-owned brands that have been ethically sourced, are socially conscious and transparent in their processes. We started as a small online ethical gift shop with fashion accessories like fair trade jewelry from around the world, artisan-made bags and handmade clothing. This fall, we expanded our catalog and included home decor goods, natural wellness products, bath & body non-toxic products, modern sexual wellness items, and an extensive line of beautifully designed and fun plant-based household cleaning supplies. Every brand and product is carefully vetted with our mission in mind. Working with female business owners and female customers has been an absolute thrill! Sumiye Co has been growing organically and there has been a lot of hard work put into it but our vendors and customers have propelled us tremendously to keep going and growing!

What matters most to you? Why?
Personally: family, food & dogs. Professionally: running an ethical business and empowering women in all walks of life. From female artisans in tiny communities around the world who are working hard to provide a better future for their families to women entrepreneurs who have beaten all odds to bring about thriving, independent, ethical brands, as well as female-conscious consumers who would like to live a more sustainable life but don’t know where to begin or feel like that means giving up style or the joy of outfitting your life with fun and beautiful products. My mission is important to me because I’m a woman because I love the style because I’m a nature lover and care about the planet and because I grew up in a third-world country (Colombia) and saw firsthand the sacrifices underprivileged women have to make to take care of their families. It’s very important to me to partner with women-owned brands that have an educational program for artisans as part of their business structure, protect workers if it’s not an artisan made item, and bring about products with the environment in mind.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.sumiye-co.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sumiye.co
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sumiye.co
• Other: https://www.sumiye.today/

Image Credits
Mari Buckley