Hi Layla! I was wondering if you worked for another company and started your business and then eventually quit, or did you just jump right in?

Before I interned I had around 10 internships under my belt with a lot of them being something more along the lines of assistant positions. Then I worked at a start up sweater company designing, technical design, and some sales. I was miserable, that was definitely when I realized I no longer enjoyed designing anything but intimates! I got a lot of experience there though because in addition to my other duties I worked as the fit model and realized a. how patient models are and how it feels to be a human mannequin b. how the smallest details in the fit like 1/2" off a sleeve, hem, or neckline can change something from frumpy to fabulous.

After that I worked at a division of a major israeli based global corp where I worked on licenses for major brands of intimates, and some new, some established but being relaunched. I got a lot of experience on the design/production side there. At one point I was the ONLY designer and I managed print design/recoloring for a couple of labels, oversaw all design development and worked closely with our one production person to make sure designs were being carried through properly in production. It prepared me a little bit for doing it all on my own. I say a little bit because no matter how much you do at a big company when you have a small business you do EVERYTHING.

Making the decision to quit I actually left up to fate, I was in the 3rd round of interviews at another major company and I made myself a promise that if I was meant to get the job I would, and that if I didn't it was a sign I should take a leap of faith and quit. Needless to say I was the runner up fo the position, left my job, worked at a hotel for 9 months to help during the development stage and when I couldn't handle doing that and running the collection at the same time any longer I quit that to focus on BTS.

There are many paths you can take to having a business but I think there is a feeling when it is the right time and you have to seize it before you're too afraid to try - I know I'm glad I did!

Lingerie, love, fitting, starting a fashion line- ask it!