Miriam Alden is the Founder/Owner of Brunette Showroom, a fashion wholesale agency founded on simple but strong business and personal values like honesty, loyalty, solid relationships and a true love for fashion, people, creativity, travel, growth and life. What was the inspiration for her career route? Find out in today’s YEDaily…
Elevator Pitch: Describe your job in a nutshell.
In general terms I own and operate a fashion wholesale agency. Brunette Showroom is hired by fashion brands to manage their collections for either Western Canada or all of Canada. I also have a bracelet collection called Alden Rae that I create and manufacturer with a partner.
Why did you start working at your company?
I had worked for another agency for just over five years and opened Brunette Showroom October 1st,
2009. I had loved working for the company I was with before, but I started hitting a point that I needed more for myself and needed to keep growing and I felt like I wasn’t growing as much as I would have liked to. I am an entrepreneur by heart, and I knew that I needed to start my own buiness. I wasn’t sure how it was going to go, but knew that failing wasn’t an option just as much as not starting something on my own wasn’t an option. It was the best decision I have ever made.
What was the inspiration for this career route?
When I started in fashion industry, I just loved the idea of it; but once I learned the business side, I knew it was for me. There are so many different aspects of the fashion business that you can grow with. I love always being able to evolve, and once I got my feet wet I saw so many different oportunities. That was very inspiring for me. From there, the growth and process was all very natural.
What is the best part of what you do on a day-to-day basis?
I would say the best part of what I do is that it is always changing. There isn’t a lot of routine, which works great for me as I don’t do well with routine. My family always said I live in a bit of a dream world, so luckily I have found a business that is different daily, weekly, monthly, seasonally. Each season we get new collections and its almost like it’s a new job! We get to meet with the designers and go over the collections, and that’s always so motivating. I get to travel a lot, both nationally and internationally, and work with lots of incredible people. I find all parts of this buiness so interesting, and love helping customers find product that will help grow their business.
I also love my office, and the people that I work with. We’re a little unit, and all work together to grow the business and have lots of fun! My little sister is a jewelry designer, and we represent her collections, which is also really special for me to get to work with my sister.
The most challenging part? Mananging growth and managing people. It’s a lot of trial and error, and can be really tough, but open communication within the office is definently a huge help.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Professionally I see myself expanding into many different aspects of the fashion business. I see my showroom gowing substantially, as well I plan getting more into manufacturing. I love the process of starting with a thought and creating it into something that is real.
What does success look like to you?
My picture of success is a healthy balance between personal and professional happiness. I don’t measure success monetarly. Of couse, that is the most traditional sense and important, but I am not driven by that. I determine success by growth, taking chances on ideas you believe in, and being able to help them grow and evolve. I am always on the go, always taking on a lot of different things (some times maybe a little too much), but I thrive in that type of enviorement both personally and professionally. I think it may look a little chaotic to others, but to me it’s a perfect balance of organized chaos. Success to me is living as you want to live, and choossing happiness.
What is the most memorable milestone in your career?
First, when I officially created Brunette Showroom, and moved into my first office. It was a shared space but I couldn’t believe it! I had my own desk and office furniture and was really excited about that!
Equally memorable was when I hired my first employee, who happened to be one of my best friends and someone who has helped me grow so much. It was a double whammy because I had finally had someone to work with, talk to and share ideas with…and I was so excited it was him!
Do you have any advice for other young professionals?
First, I would say just go for it. The only difference between doing something and not is just doing it.
Second, stay true to your values, morals and beliefs. My dad has always taught me to treat others as you wish to be treated no matter what that person can do for you. I firmly believe this in business as much as I do in my personal life. Don’t stray from what you think is right or moral, and always be kind.
Last, be prepared to work hard. You only get out what you put in.
Do you support any charities? If so, which one(s) and why is that important to you?
Right now my bracelet collection is in the works of creating a bracelet called the Remy bracelet, with a large portion of the proceeds going to the BC Childrens Hospital. Within the next year I will have a foundation created and each year we will pick a new charity that we want to donate to. The women’s sex trade, and helping women get back on their feet after tough personal sitations, are both situations that are very close to my heart, so that will be the direction the foundation is going. We want to help women become self sustainable and self sufficent.
What to you is notable?
People who are kind, honest, non-judgemental, and hard-working.
Blackberry, iPhone, Android, or Other?
I am an Apple girl. iPhone, iPad, MacBook. It’s a bit of an addiction.