Today we’d like to introduce you to Mariam Anna Barska.
Mariam Anna, please share your story with us. How did you get to where you are today?
I grew up in New York City after immigrating from Armenia in 1991. Worked different jobs to have ends meet while attending to FIT (Fashion Institute of Technology). Stretching NYC to Los Angeles, I worked in various successful companies achieving top-level goals from dressing celebrities, appearing on cover of magazines and building many strong brands.
In 2012, I started looking into creating my own brand. However, I wanted something unique, classic that will last a long time. After many years of research and developments, I have created my own fabric pattern, copyrighted then produced a simple, clean and modern collection that can be worn many years to come. My company was formed in 2017 and today, I have a loyal following and customer base.
During tough times of COVID19 and pandemic we all faced, I did not downgrade, I started another label called être-la.com, which means “TO BE/BEING” loungewear line made out of natural fabrics. The collection is still in works but will be launching late summer D2C base.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
No career or business has a smooth road. Definitely, I struggled, or should I say challenged with how to reach my customers. I realized that in order to reach my customers, I have to be patient because today with wholesale business downgrading and D2C is becoming stronger, I need more resources to beat this game change. Being middle of all this, a small company like mine will have more challenges, however, I welcome all challenges for greater good and love of what I do.
We’d love to hear more about your work and what you are currently focused on. What else should we know?
I am basically one woman-run business. I have fulfillment center, accountant, HR, photographer, fit model, technician, sales and more…etc. However, they all are on part-time basis. I run, direct, create, research, price, budget and develop all my collections. I know that in near future I will and defiantly have more full-time employees.
I try and advocate donating percentage to all different kinds of charitable organizations from our online sales. This will apply to all my current and future businesses.
I do not compare myself to other companies and try to do better or something different to set me apart. I do what I love and believe there are people who need what I can give. If I start challenging myself even more and compare my company to others, I will go off track easily and loose of my own goals.
Proud of opening and operating three businesses by myself and thinking of how to build more.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
Every single person in my life has contributed and shaped me to who I am today. I only see the good in people and learn from them as much as I can.
Each person I met taught me what to do or what not to do including my husband, kids, parents, sister, friends, colleagues, neighbors…and many more.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://mariamannabarska.com
- Phone: 818-632-5867
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mariamannabarska/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mariambarska/
- Other: https://www.pinterest.com/mariamannabarska/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gLlv5GakMII&t=8s
Image Credit:
https://www.instagram.com/heycayrae/
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