Q + A with Social Impact Brand Neococo
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NEOCOCO
At just 18 years old, founder Amrita began working as a fashion stylist for Elle - India. Over the years, she’s worked as a stylist on films and commercials with designers and celebrities. However, after learning about the harsh realities of refugees in the Middle East, Amrita’s career took a turn. She decided to create her own brand, NEOCOCO, by giving job opportunities to women refugees. These resilient women create hand embroidered t-shirts that symbolize the significance of freedom within women’s rights, conflict, abuse and issues beyond. 100% of the revenue is directed back into the company to hire and assist more refugees.
What did you do before starting your business?
I always worked in Fashion. I freelanced as a fashion stylist for fashion publications, TV commercials and movies. A lot of my work as a costume stylist involved working with smaller groups of artisans and sourcing specialized embroidery techniques. I love the art of sourcing and the thrill of being able to explore hand made textiles, prints and embroidery/beading techniques.
What does your typical work day look like?
Part of how we operate is by allowing our team to work from home. Most of the women are moms figuring out their lives in the US for their kids and families and we offer a work from home policy. We attune the logistics for each individual to work past their challenges, e.g. transportation, hours, skill level, language and inhibitions. So we follow a very strict and disciplined work routine. We meet with our team every Monday to pick up, drop off and train any potential candidates. On other days we work on design, potential opportunities and collaborations.
What’s the most important thing you attribute to your success?
Staying true to our mission. Our goal is to create job opportunities for women refugees resettling in Los Angeles. We create high quality hand embroidered T-shirts that tell a story of every women who embroiders it giving her back independence and dignity. We believe in creating social and entrepreneurial opportunities for our team enabling them to explore different platforms. We have a 100% control over quality since we source and manufacture locally in Los Angeles.
What is the hardest thing about being a business owner?
You have to have a THICK skin and you have to be ok with people saying NO. Being able to hustle, to focus on marketing, sales, the company mission, production, design, quality control all at the same time. Building a core team of people who share your brand mission can be a challenge but is a crucial part of building that support system. And most importantly on rough days being able to get up and love yourself and love what you do. :)
Any advice to someone wanting to take a leap of faith to start their own business?
Know your business, your mission, your goals and how you want to get there. Create that road map on paper and let that be your guide.
“I have learned that no matter how many borders divide us we are all in many ways bound by more similarities than differences.”
Your biggest inspiration?
I am inspired by people and their stories. I love to travel and meet new people. I have learned that no matter how many borders divide us we are all in many ways bound by more similarities than differences.
Favorite “Get Sh*t done” Song?
Hands down Nicki Minaj's - “Moment 4 Life”
Dream Brand Collab?
TOMS Shoes