Today we’d like to introduce you to Gynella Ngounou.
Hi Gynella, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I am the founder and CEO of Students Expressing Life through Fashion, otherwise known as SELF. Students Expressing Life through Fashion is an award-winning sewing and design Academy equipping at-risk fashion designers with affordable, quality fashion education and sustainable careers. As an at-risk fashion designer who was forced to withdraw from her dream fashion school due to financial constraints, I yearned for a reliable fashion incubator and studio that tailored to advance the careers of at-risk fashion designers who could not afford traditional fashion education. When I transferred from my dream fashion school to Georgia State University, I recognized the demand for the same fashion design experience from other students – at the time, GSU did not have an existing sewing and design major or program. Thus I solidified a collaboration with Georgia State University’s Entrepreneurship and Innovation Institute to beta test Students Expressing Life through Fashion (SELF) on campus. Today, Students Expressing Life through Fashion has enrolled 35 students (out of 200+ applicants), partnered with Fortune500 companies to provide students with employment opportunities, won numerous pitch competitions and rewards that have highlighted the innovation in their services, and has introduced a small-scale manufacturing service. Currently completing my final year of undergrad at Georgia State University, I look to expand Students Expressing Life through Fashion (SELF) in order to serve at-risk fashion designers worldwide.
Apart from doing Students Expressing Life through Fashion, I am an award-winning fashion designer who specializes in Women’s Wear suits and am a stutterer redefining the realm of possibility for other stutterers.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Not at all. I’m approaching my two-year entrepreneur anniversary and looking back, I can admit that the struggles I faced were regarding how to balance all of my responsibilities as a college student and full-time entrepreneur. Another struggle was our startup finances. In our first year, I did not want to rely on investors’ financial banking and began applying to hundreds of business grants. Fortunately, I secured enough to establish and grow Students Expressing Life through Fashion without mortgaging its future.
Also, I naively adopted the belief that I could handle everything without help – that is until the increased workload began taking a toll. Let’s just say I experienced my first burnout and it was a major eye-opener for me. This past January, I established a solid team of competent student leaders and specialists in their fields which has resulted in SELF reaching new heights. It’s true that behind every successful startup are its employees and team.
We’ve been impressed with Students Expressing Life through Fashion (SELF), but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Students Expressing Life through Fashion (SELF) is an award-winning sewing and design Academy equipping at-risk fashion designers with affordable, quality fashion education and sustainable careers. Today, SELF is in collaboration with Georgia State University’s Entrepreneur and Innovation Institute to beta test its sewing and design program on the Atlanta campus. I am most proud of SELF’s rapid evolution and, despite having yet launched, Students Expressing Life through Fashion is making a positive impact on the lives of those who could not afford traditional fashion education at Georgia State University. Additionally, I am proud that at SELF we generate business solutions for Fortune 500 companies and influential brands with the next generation of creative leaders.
I want readers to know that Students Expressing Life through Fashion (SELF) was created by at-risk fashion designers for at-risk fashion designers.
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
At the start of my entrepreneurial journey, I had a lot of self-esteem issues with stuttering and contemplating whether I was fit to be CEO because of my stutter. There was a time where I was ridiculed by an investor for my stutter, and while that level of cruelty can literally silence someone, it made me believe in myself more. I grew to embrace my stutter, love myself unconditionally, and advocate for myself unapologetically. It took years to become the confident CEO who stutters; the woman I am today.
Contact Info:
- Email: gynella@sewwithself.com
- Website: www.sewwithself.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sewwithself/
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGXzhSSJI6c4J0k23yw16Hg
- Other: https://www.linkedin.com/company/sewwithself/
Image Credits:
Photo Credit: Gynella Ngounou
