Meet woman in Business Ingrid Hernandez, Founder & CEO of Yunes Swathe
Tell us about your business. Yunes Swathe is a contemporary women’s ready-to-wear line that fuses classic silhouettes with a modern edge and our line is targeted at women who treat fashion as a treat or a lifestyle that want premium goods at attainable prices.
Please tell us what being a business owner means to you and why you became an entrepreneur in the first place? Being a business owner means being able to follow your own path. I decided to start my own business when I was frustrated and was unable to find exactly what I was looking for within my price range.
What or who has been your greatest influence in business and why? The greatest influence would have to be all of the small business owners I have had the honor to work with over the last several years. Their drive and determination serves as an inspiration. No matter how difficult things get, they always strive to overcome the obstacle and be a better person and business owner because it.
What would you say is your greatest professional accomplishment to date? I would have to say that my greatest professional accomplishment would have to be launching my business. I have always worked in fashion from the financial perspective and not necessarily from the creative, production, and marketing side of the business. I delved into a facet of the industry that I was somewhat illiterate about but have loved working in it so much that I cannot see myself not working in fashion going forward.
What’s the best advice you have received in business that you wish to pass on to our readers? The best advice I have received is to always follow your instincts.
What has been the most effective marketing initiatives or programs you have used to promote your business? The most effective initiatives so far have been reaching the consumer on a personal level and having direct contact.
What one thing have you learned as a small business owner that has served you well over the years? The one thing I’ve learned is purpose. It is an amazing feeling to know that there’s a purpose in everything you do that drives you and motivates you to grow not only a business owner but as a person as well.
Are there any resources or tools you’d like to share with other small business owners that have helped you run your business? The best resource I’ve had is my support system. Google has also been an amazing resource. I know it’s very general and vague but having access to so much knowledge and being directed to specific resources within my field has been invaluable.
Do you have any new projects coming up? We’re excited to start showing our Fall/Winter 14 collection. It’s a major milestone for us, since it showcases our growth as a brand. We’re also excited about unveiling our Spring 15 collection this Fall.
What do you do for fun/relaxation? I enjoy reading. There’s nothing like a good book or article.
What is Number One Business Goal you plan to accomplish over the next year? Our line is currently only available online via our webstore and we would love our line to be placed in a few stores nationwide.
You want to write a book on … “living and enjoying life to your fullest potential.” How not to let circumstances and experiences, or lack thereof, determine your legacy, not necessarily on a global scale but on an interpersonal level____ (fill in the blank and feel free to explain).
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers? I’m really excited to share our line with everyone. When we design our pieces, we design with this objective in mind: we know that when you look good, you feel good, and we hope that Yunes Swathe can help put an extra pep in your step.
What’s the best way for our readers to connect with you? We can be reached via our website www.yunesswathe.com, twitter @yunesswathe, Facebook.com/yunesswathepage, and instagram @yunesswathe.
