Archive for Gen Z – Page 2

Matilda Djerf: Redefining Fashion with Djerf Avenue

Matilda Djerf, an ambitious young entrepreneur, is reinventing the fashion industry with her brand, Djerf Avenue. What sets Matilda apart is her unwavering commitment to quality and inclusivity. All of her garments are meticulously crafted in Italy, Portugal, and Sweden, focusing on detailed craftsmanship and product sustainability. Moreover, her designs are adaptable for a diverse range of body sizes, emphasizing that fashion should be accessible to everyone. Driven by her love of fashion and a personal journey through anorexia and orthorexia, Matilda’s mission goes beyond profit. She aims to promote body positivity among young women, creating a brand that encourages confidence. This deep-rooted passion informs every aspect of Djerf Avenue, making it a beacon for those seeking flattering clothing that is adaptable to all shapes and sizes. Matilda’s approach to design is refreshingly unique. She blends creative flair with timeless elegance, ensuring her pieces are not only fashionable but also long-lasting. By focusing on aesthetics that transcend fleeting trends, she crafts clothing that encourages many years of use. This thoughtful approach reflects a genuine understanding of her customers, who seek both style and substance.

In a fashion world often dominated by narrow standards of beauty, Matilda’s innovative brand challenges the notion that only size zero clothing can be flattering and stylish. This works against the negative body images that women today all too often believe. Her collections prove that every body type can look fabulous, encouraging a sense of inclusivity that resonates deeply with her consumers. Matilda’s journey inspires me to recognize the power of personal experience in driving innovation. If I have experienced a problem, there is a high chance others have as well, thus providing a possible market. All to say, with a keen eye for recognizing the hole in the market for an adaptable and timeless clothing brand, Matilda Djerf is reshaping the fashion industry. Not only is she doing this, but she also is inspiring women today to recognize their bodies are beautifully and wonderfully made. With Djerf Avenue, she proves that fashion can be both uplifting and fun.

Go Out with a Bang

In 2014, 22-year-old Hannah Davis sat at a table in Charlestown, North Carolina at a pop-up shop. Surrounded by small business owners, Davis hardly felt at home. She had only ever held two jobs–waitress, and English teacher and didn’t know the first thing about starting a business. What’s more, she hardly had any expertise in her product—shoes. 

Today, BANGS shoes have lighted up Instagram with aesthetic pictures of one-of-a-kind footwear. In a culture where many Gen-Zers wear one of three shoe brands (Vans, Converse, Nike), Davis saw a market for uniqueness and self-expression. With their wide variety of colors, cute embroidered patterns, and a style reminiscent of the 70s, BANGS shoes stand out from the crowd. 

BANGS shoes aren’t all about style. They strive to remain sustainable towards an increasingly environmentally conscious generation with 100% vegan materials. In addition, BANGS invests 20% of its net profits toward entrepreneurs through a non-profit platform called Kiva. They have invested in over 5,000 entrepreneurs across 74 countries including the United States. Unlike larger brands, BANGS’ small nature allows them to plug in with their customers through social media and events. Through social media contests, tags, and scavenger hunts BANGS reaches its audience in unique ways. BANGS ambassadors also host regional get-togethers for fellow brand enthusiasts to come together for crafts, games, and meet and greets. 

Hannah Davis was first inspired to start BANGS when she was teaching English in China. After seeing the green, army-style shoes worn by Chinese migrant workers and farmers, she wanted to create a shoe that represented a community. The name BANGS is from the Mandarin character 帮: bāng, or “to help”. Davis is driven by making the world a better place by nurturing a positive community and being kind towards others. Her innovation through the unique style and mission of BANGS as well as her perseverance in breaking into a market she had little knowledge of demonstrates her entrepreneurial spirit. Davis’ uncommon and expressive approach to both her product and her marketing strategy is an inspiration to entrepreneurs.

 

Read more about BANGS shoes and see their products at: https://www.bangsshoes.com/

 

Lily Born

One of the most fundamental skills an entrepreneur can posses is the ability to see a problem, want to fix it, and create a solution. That’s exactly what Lily Born, then aged 7, did. She noticed the effects Parkinson’s Disease had on her grandfather. Easily knocked over cups caused spills and messes that often cause damage to other items in the house, be it a computer or paperwork, and extra work for grandma to clean up. After a bit of experimentation, and a few prototypes, Lily created the Kangaroo cup, a durable, ceramic cup featuring three stabilizing legs. The now 16 year-old has produced and sold tens of thousands of cups around the world.

Lily’s story is not just one of innovation, but courage. Before launching her company Imagiroo, Lily was a timid and shy girl who balked at even the idea of ordering food for herself at a restaurant. Her desire to help people and inspire others to create impact in the world helped her overcome her anxieties and reach higher than she even anticipated.

Why Gen Z and Millennials are so keen on entrepreneurship and being their own boss

As of May 2021 a study was done on people born between 1997 and 2007 to find that 53% of them wanted to run their own business someday, and accounting for those that are currently in the workforce the proportion increases to 65%.

The reason for this is the ease of access to info and self realization and learning. Because of the addition of the web and the tech savviness of Gen Z, most people have more access to innovation than ever people. The opportunity for creativity, innovation, and the ability to learn about things we are passionate in and turn that into an entrepreneurial idea is so readily available. The urge for people to work in a job that they love has always been a goal for those in the workforce, however, most people get stuck riding the educational ladder in the most competitive areas possible to earn a living all to just hate their job (if they make it).

Being an entrepreneur has less resistance than ever before and people want to take advantage of it. Apparel business? Done. Go online and make it happen. go viral for inspirational, funny, informative, gaming, etc. videos? Done. Go on Youtube, Tik Tok, or Insta, and, with a little effort, can make a quite lucrative business in videography. The options are endless and they all can be crafted to the passions and pains of the individual. This is why Gen Z’s and millennials are going the entrepreneurship route, and why I wouldn’t be surprised if interest continues to rise for those who want to one day own their own business.