Community Highlights: Meet Munira Syeda of Chic & Gold

Today we’d like to introduce you to Munira Syeda. 

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
In 2020, as the world went into lockdown, I yearned to do more with my life. My twin boys were 4 then, and I was working as a part-time consultant with a North Texas company’s corporate communications team. 

So, I decided to pursue an old dream of starting my own business. I had taken a few classes at El Centro Community College in fashion design while continuing to work as a communications consultant. 

During the pandemic, I started thinking about launching a purp0se-driven fashion brand offering clothing and accessories. I also wanted to spotlight women artisans from my native country of Pakistan. 

Thus, my small business Chic & Gold was born — an embodiment of my roots, faith, and American identity, and a fulfillment of a desire to start a clothing and accessories label, while giving the underserved communities a chance to get ahead. 

Over the past 2 years, I’ve aimed to develop a better understanding of the artisan communities across Pakistan — a large majority of whom are women, living in rural areas, and well below the poverty line — and created a network of artisan partners whom I am collaborating with for Chic & Gold accessories. 

We are also looking to launch some foundational clothing pieces in partnership with Vickery Trading Company, a Dallas nonprofit that employs and empowers refugee women. 

I am excited and moved by the support of those around me and can’t wait to see what we – with our small Dallas team, partners, customers, and supporters – can accomplish together. 

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Starting my own business has been filled with challenges and learnings. 

One thing we have strived for is to find the most effective ways to work with artisan and manufacturer capabilities in Dallas and Pakistan. 

Pakistani artisans live in rural areas, where latest tech isn’t easily accessible. Women artisans also balance their hand-embroidery job with housework. In late summer, they go cotton picking, so all embroidery work is placed on hold. So, it took some time me to truly understand artisans’ seasonal timelines and align our manufacturing schedule with their timelines. 

I’ve also bootstrapped my business since its launch, and so have had to become laser-focused on product development and manufacturing (after burning through a lot of personal funds). I also cut any extra expenses like paying for social media services and delayed additional product photography. 

It has been a dream to start making my own clothing line. My vision of our clothing is pieces that are effortless and can serve as staples in our customers’ wardrobes. One of our very first pieces, a sleeveless shirt, is being developed locally in Dallas, but has taken 7-8 months and a lot of money. We’re almost done putting the final touches on this shirt design and will go to production soon. We have also started development of a fun, stylish skirt that I know our customers will love. 

I also started doing pop-ups about 6 months ago to bring more visibility to Chic & Gold and have been moved by the amazing community response. One customer shared that our Cherry Blossom Scarf reminded her of her grandmother. 

We’re looking for ways to grow our partnerships and collaboration and invite Dallas businesses and influencers who align with our mission to reach out to us. 

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Chic and Gold is a Dallas e-commerce shop. We feature artisan-made accessories and are soon launching limited clothing pieces that we envision as staples in our customers’ closets. 

Through my brand, my goal is to lift up and celebrate underserved women in our communities that have immense talent and are just looking for an opportunity. 

I have bootstrapped my business and am proud to say that we’re supporting small businesses in Dallas as well as Pakistan (several of them women-owned businesses) through my brand. 

At this time, we’re offering gorgeous natural dyed, hand-embroidered hair accessories that can double up as handbag accessories or neck scarves – the possibilities are endless with these beauties. 

We are unveiling more accessories in November, and we invite the readers to keep us in mind as they shop for the perfect holiday gift for their loved ones and themselves. 

We will start offering limited clothing, a shirt, and a skirt, in early 2023, made right here in Dallas in partnership with refugee women. 

Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
I didn’t know how hard it would be to get a business off the ground. 

There is constant learning. 

Patience, humility, and constant learning are keys to success in any business. 

I would also advise making use of resources at your disposal. Don’t be shy about asking for help. There are a lot of great community organizations in North Texas that are supporting women-owned businesses and they stand ready to help. These include The DEC Network, LiftFund DFW Women’s Business Center, Dallas BUILDS, Ser Mujer, local chambers of Commerce, and others. 

I have grown personally and professionally, as a startup founder. Failures and challenges are scary, but they also provide ample opportunity for growth and learning. 

Pricing:

• $49
• $42
• $25

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.chicandgold.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/chic.ngold
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ChicandGold

Image Credits
Krista Wagner
Paul Ludemann