Today we’d like to introduce you to Monique Boehme.
Monique, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
My journey in impact entrepreneurship began about eight years ago when a friend first turned me onto an ethical fashion brand that was working to employ, empower and educate vulnerable women across the globe. I started by supporting this emerging brand, wearing their funky, strappy sandals (I called myself the “walking advertisement”). Several years in (still wearing those sandals!) Sseko Designs made a huge shift in its sales model, pulling out of the wholesale market to create opportunities for women just like me to join, build our own businesses and exponentially increase the impact of its mission throughout the world. I started up my business just after moving across the country (from Oregon to Texas). Building a business in a brand-new community is definitely a challenge, but I wouldn’t trade it for anything! I love sharing the Sseko story with everyone I meet, and of course, you can’t go wrong living in a place where it’s sandal weather almost year-round. We have now expanded into luxe leather bags, exquisite apparel, handcrafted jewelry and even custom-designed sandals. There is nothing more fun than to connect women right here in our community with the brave, beautiful women who make our products! Teaching women to care about how their products are made, and providing them with a way to both look good and FEEL great – that’s where I thrive. As we like to say, every woman has a dream and every Sseko has a story.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc. – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Oh, I definitely hit some bumps, roadblocks and steep uphill climbs on this journey! First off, starting a business in a brand-new community takes courage and patience. It was so important to me to develop genuine relationships, not just be a “sales lady” in my community. So, I had to adjust my expectations for how fast my business could grow.
My advice for dealing with setbacks and slowdowns is to give yourself grace. Rome wasn’t built in a day, and neither are great businesses, relationships or anything worth keeping around for a long time! Keep putting one foot in front of the other (preferably in ethically handmade sandals of course)… and be sure to have someone who can talk you off the ledge when needed! For me, that’s a dear friend/colleague who isn’t afraid to hold me accountable, but also knows when ice cream is simply the best therapy.
We’d love to hear more about Sseko Designs of Texas.
As an Impact Entrepreneur with Sseko Designs, my work is focused on connecting women to greater purpose through their wardrobe. Of course, clothes can’t change the world, but the women who wear them CAN. I spend a lot of time educating on the impact of fast vs. ethical fashion, transparency in manufacturing and social justice through business. I specialize in curating wardrobes that fit a woman’s life and style while empowering other women through fair-wage jobs making the pieces I sell.
One thing I am most proud of as a brand is our custom-design platform. When we launched it last year, we were truly pioneers in the fashion world. Where else can you sit down for coffee with a designer and together create a completely custom, unique design for your very own genuine leather shoes? And where else can you receive your handmade shoes with a hand-written letter from the woman who fashioned them? Offering custom-design services is one of my favorite features of our brand and it definitely sets us apart.
Do you recommend any apps, books or podcasts that have been helpful to you?
My most recent read was Brene Brown’s Braving the Wilderness. For those of us whose deep convictions guide our life and work, this book is hugely impactful and encouraging.
I’m currently spending time with Zig Ziglar – Secrets of Closing the Sale. This book is really helping me to see the value in what I have to offer as a businesswoman in my field of ethical fashion sales.
I wish I had time right now for podcasts! There is so much great content to be absorbed. I do follow Jenna Kutcher and have done a couple of her training… definitely need to find time for more!
Pricing:
- Custom Designed Sandals – starting at $35 for babies, $45 for girls, and $60 for women
- Hand-crafted 100% leather bags – starting at $130
- Hand-crafted, naturally sourced jewelry – starting at $20
- Handmade women’s apparel – starting at $80
- Accessories and Small Leather Goods – starting at $20
Contact Info:
- Website: http://ssekodesigns.com/monique_boehme
- Phone: 503.860.8784
- Email: SsekoDesignsTX@gmail.com
- Instagram: monique_estelle.sseko_fellow
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SsekoTX/
Image Credit:
Caroline Ingraham Lee
Getting in touch: VoyageDallas is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
