Building a brand is rarely a straight line. It’s a series of pivots, late-night realizations, and small wins that eventually gain momentum. Looking back at my path- from a textile student to the founder of Ripple- I’ve realized that the most important lessons weren't learned in a boardroom, but in the studio and on the yoga mat.
Whether you are just starting or are deep in the middle of your own "messy middle," I hope these eight reflections offer you the clarity to keep going.
1. Let One Woman Be Enough
Early on, my yoga teacher asked where my clothes were from. She became my first client. From there, it slowly unfolded into selling pieces to friends and neighbors. We often feel we need a massive audience to launch, but one woman believing in your work can start a movement. Start where you are, with who is in front of you.
2. Master the Craft, Then Trust the Intuition
I studied Textile Design, specializing in knitwear, and spent years in the fashion industry designing lingerie and activewear. That technical background gave me the structure I needed, but it was my intuition that eventually gave me direction. You need both: the skill to build the house and the gut feeling to know where the windows should go.
3. Every Chapter Prepares You for the Next
Before Ripple, there was Duende- a knitwear brand I sold at fairs and eventually in boutiques worldwide. It wasn't "the one," but it was the necessary precursor. What you are building right now is shaping the hands that will build your future. No effort is ever wasted.
4. Solve Your Own Frustration
In 2015, I couldn’t find yoga clothes I actually wanted to practice in. Nothing felt aligned with how I wanted to move. So, I created what was missing. Often, your personal frustration holds the blueprint for your clearest business idea.
5. Research is an Act of Respect
Before the first Ripple collection ever launched, I spent months in the "homework" phase. I researched natural fabrics, fit, movement, and what was missing in the current market. I sought real feedback from teachers and practitioners. Research isn't just data; it’s showing respect for your craft and your community.
Patterns evolved. Fits changed. Details improved. I had to learn quickly that feedback isn’t criticism- it’s a conversation. When you listen to the women wearing your clothes, they become your co-creators.
7. Build With Women, Not Above Them
Both of my businesses began from a personal need that turned out to be a shared one. Just this morning, I rode my bike to the studio and passed a woman running in our unisex pants. That quiet, anonymous moment is what keeps me going. This is what happens when you listen closely to the collective.
8. Stay Curious and Trust the Process
Before any of this began, I left my job to travel through India and Thailand. I was moving, exploring, and simply figuring things out. When I returned, I started making clothes just for myself. Building something meaningful takes time—don't rush the "quiet" phases of your journey.
To the Women Building Something of Their Own:
I see you, and I am rooting for you. There will be days when the momentum feels slow and days when it feels overwhelming. In those moments, remember why you started. Wear your art, trust your hands, and keep going.
