In this episode we discuss:
- How she started her fashion career from an Etsy shop and a blog
- Making sure her kids are fully aware of and immersed in her business as it continues to grow
- Doing what is expected of you in business versus living an inspired life of purpose
- Advice on breaking through barriers of labels and not being defined by one thing
- How life balance can look different for everyone, plus advice on keeping grounded through it all
- How a personal loss inspired her to create a philanthropic endeavor, and the importance of giving back through activating her business skills
- How dressing up to go to the airport can attract new business connections
Salwa Owens is a CEO, fashion designer, blogger, and creator of Fierce Fitness. Salwa founded her business in 2012, fueled by the intention to use her talent for fashion to empower women. Her rise to success has been amazing: Salwa went from pattern making and sewing her designs one by one to sell on Etsy, to hiring two seamstresses and launching her first namesake label and e-commerce site, to mass producing in Los Angeles and selling at select boutiques, to adding a couture line made overseas, all in the first two years. She curates a phenomenal and high profile fashion show every year, which features her designs.
At a time when female empowerment was yet to become a cultural trend, Owens’ passion for it stemmed from her own inspiration to achieve it for herself. In the midst of being a stay-at-home mom to three small children and putting her career goals on the back burner, Owens realized one very important thing; women connecting with their passion and purpose outside of cultural expectations placed upon them, is key to their overall well-being. So with kids in tow, tight budget trips to the fabric store, several all-nighters between baby feedings, and a fiercely determined spirit, Owens set out to do the one thing she knew she was meant to do: empower women through the joy of fashion.
Owens went from pattern making and sewing her designs one by one to sell on Etsy, to hiring two seamstresses and launching her first namesake label and e-commerce site, to mass producing in Los Angeles and selling at select boutiques, to adding a couture line made overseas, all in the first two years. The whirlwind journey of manifesting her vision for her business has become the very core essence of the brand. Above creating beautiful clothing, Owens’ goal has always been to share her journey and inspire women to go for their dreams, regardless of their circumstances.
A firm believer that true beauty and authentic empowerment stem from within, Owens has stepped outside the fashion designer box and grown her brand to encompass additional areas she is passionate about sharing with women. In addition to her fashion label, curated collections, and services, the brand now encompasses her fitness program, Fierce Fitness, and blog covering spirituality, confidence and purpose building, mom life, and beauty.
With much perseverance, dedication, and faith that God is in control, Salwa Owens has organically evolved her brand to be what it is today: a reflection of her wholehearted purpose to empower women to beautifully and authentically fierce.
