28. The Path to Starting an Import Business and Knowing When To Take a Leap of Faith

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Xiomara is the co-creator of Unoeth (pronounced: ooh-no-eth), a leather goods brand that imports custom leather products from artisans in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Although Xiomara hails from a long lineage of entrepreneurs, her business was birthed on a whim. She discusses how a one-of-a-kind gift from her dad triggered her entrepreneurial inhibitions, what the future holds for Unoeth, and how she’s adjusting to being a new co-owner of a brick-and-mortar.

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• Started career in marketing and advertising after receiving a degree in business with a concentration in marketing
• Fell in love with retail while working retail jobs in college
• After working in corporate settings, decided she wanted more input in consumer products so she attended the Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising (FIDM)
• Following a nine-month program, began work as an Assistant Buyer at Pottery Barn Teen, and then transitioned to working with the Lucy activewear brand
• Father traveled to Addis Ababa and returned with leather goods for family and friends, including a custom messenger bag for her
• After receiving a flood of compliments on her bag, she and her dad decided to start a business
• Initially, Xiomara was balancing her Pottery Barn career, working part-time with Stitch Fix, buying a house, and planning a wedding, all while running the business
• Transitioned to a full-time entrepreneur in 2015; she slowly began hacking other commitments from her schedule to focus on business
• Use crowdfunding tool Kiva as a funding source; started out selling out at markets like Jack of All Trades and the Treasure Island Market
• Recommends planning monthly liabilities and necessities before considering leaving full-time job, as well as reviewing sales trends
• “It’s never going to be the perfect time to take the leap of faith; it’s always going to be scary.” -Xiomara
• Initially hesitant about coming brick-and-mortar, but noticed customers wanted a tactile experience when deciding to purchase a product
• Xiomara worked with a business advisor to plan out the next 3 years and to make sure they are set up for success
• Opened a brick-and-mortar (Concept 47) with a business partner in April 2017
• “Success is never a straight line” -Xiomara
• Says she learned most of what she knows now simply by doing; says every challenge or obstacle was only a lesson on how to do it better the next time
• Xiomara walks us through the challenges of an import business: customs, obtaining clearance, HTS codes, how to fill out a customs form, air waybill, etc. Lesson learned: hire a customs clearance company.
• Currently developing product line for men’s leather goods, as well as looking to expand small accessories for tech, opportunities for other artisans in Ethiopia, and adding woven goods to her product line
• Has found her niche by mixing her love for retail with her creative and analytic talent while giving back to her roots in Ethiopia
• Can’t live without sparkling water, coffee, and her cellphone

LINK LOVE

• Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising (FIDM)
• Stitch Fix
• Jack of All Trades (market)
• Treasure Island Market
• Kiva (funding)
• Think and Grow Rich (Book)
• Tony Robbins (recommended anything by this author)
• Renegade Craft Fair
• Uptima Business Bootcamp
• Shopify
• Kim Davalos

UNOETH

Website: unoeth.com
Facebook: unoeth
Instagram: @unoeth
Store: Concept Forty-Seven

WHERE’S NACHÉ

Website: nachesnow.com
Facebook: studio78podcast
Instagram: @nachesnow
YouTube: Nache Snow
Twitter: @nachesnow
LinkedIn: nachesnow
Podcast: Studio 78
Pinterest: Tallook

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