In launching this blog, I want to use it as an opportunity to share some of the amazing inspirational women and their female-owned businesses. I have been lucky enough to connect with so many small business owners over the last few years as I have grown my own business. Love it or hate it, Instagram for me is where I have built my community and where I take tons of inspiration from these like-minded ambitious female entrepreneurs. They have inspired me and I hope that they will inspire you too.

I am starting my ‘Moments to Motivate’ series with someone I only recently met in real life after connecting on the ‘gram. I love their aesthetic and the fashion brand they have created. I knew I wanted her to be my first guest after we hit it off instantly when we finally met in real life. Suddenly a casual chat where I had planned to have a leisurely try-on of some of her pieces and say “hello”, turned into a 2 hour discussion about life and inspiration, almost leading to a missed pick-up time for my kids! We have so much in common and share a love of fashion, food and Chicago.

Meet Christina Karin, a Chicago fashion designer whose number one mission is to empower women to leave their comfort zone! She has created a global fashion brand her way and at her pace and we are going to share some of the lessons she has learnt.

In my community there are people who are just at the idea stage, perhaps have just launched or have an established business. You’re 10 years in, congrats! Tell us a little about your journey, including some of the highs and lows of your female-owned business.

When CHRISTINA KARIN first launched, my Chicago apartment was filled with bolts of fabric rolls and my husband helped ship orders. We were the duo behind everything. Thankfully, we have grown our business with the support of incredible customers and a highly driven team, and the brand is now available in stores across the globe as well as our own flagship location in the heart of Chicago’s trendiest neighborhood. With more global plans in the works, we are far from our goals but enjoy each day creating such a meaningful brand that helps inspire women to be the best version of themselves.

A topic that I know I really struggled with for some time was when to bring in help. Knowing the right time and feeling comfortable investing the money to be able to free me up to focus more on working on my business than just in it.  So I wondered, how soon into the journey did you decide to outsource or recruit? I know for many this is such a hard decision.

We hired our first employee a year after starting the brand and are now a team of almost 15. I think women often have a hard time outsourcing as they feel like they can handle it all - I know I struggled with this for years. I am also very detail-oriented and want things done in a particular way so it was extra daunting. I've learned to let go slowly and delegate/outsource to the right people.  It has made all the difference in the growth of our brand, and I highly recommend it to any business owner. 

If you haven’t been to Christina’s store, you need to. It’s such a beautiful space that left me feeling completely inspired. It’s located in one of my favourite areas near the location of my first brand shoot. Christina, what was a tipping point to open your first store? I know you mentioned you were doing personal stylist appointments before that so what prompted that move? And why Bucktown?

After years of appointments in our private showroom, we had so many people who wanted to come in and try things on so naturally a storefront seemed like a wise decision. I've always loved Bucktown because it reminds me in many ways of Soho in New York - it has that city edge and is very cosmopolitan and cool. I love the energy here and have lived in the area for over 10 years. 

I know you are mama to two beautiful children, how do you balance being a successful business owner and being present for your kids? It's a lot, I know, and a big adjustment. 

I think the idea of balance is such a complicated one. There is no magical answer on how to do it. I think I've come to terms with the fact that I can only try my best to be the best version of myself. When I am working I try to be present in the moment and get as much done with my team as I can without feeling guilty or worrying about my kids and family, and likewise when I am with my family I try to stay present with them. Of course it's not perfect but you just do the best you can and try not to overthink it all. I am truly grateful for an incredibly supportive family network including my husband. 

What has been your personal highlight for the Christina Karin brand so far?

I think my personal highlight for the brand so far is our staying power.  Through so many obstacles including the pandemic, shifting social and economic behaviour, we are still here building and growing more than ever before - we are passionately designing for women everywhere, and to me that is an enormous testament to our vision, our product, and devoted customer base. 

What is the best advice anyone has given you in terms of being an entrepreneur?

The best advice I've ever gotten is to keep going, and not to get distracted by what everyone else is doing. Stay true to who you are and believe in yourself.

What has been the single biggest thing you have done that resulted in growth? If you could only do one thing what would it be?

In this business, I don't believe it's really ever about just one thing. It's all the small things you do every day that add up to so much.  We are currently building out our ecomm site and digital presence and that has been really powerful, in conjunction with opening more stores in Brooklyn next and then, internationally.  We are working really hard to reach our woman in all the places she is.

I like to be real. There are definitely things I would have done differently but these are all things that have indirectly helped me grow and even though lots of the decisions you make as a small business owner are scary and out of your comfort zone, that is ok. So what was the one thing that you would have done differently? 

I think we should have opened our stores earlier as they've really helped us reach more people and buyers.

Originally you are from Boston, what brought you to Chicago? What do you love about this city? Give us your top 3 Chicago spots for some fun and switching off after a hard day of work? 

Yes, I'm originally from the Boston area and still spend summers going back every year. It's one of my favourite places. I've lived in Chicago for 15 years and came here originally to work in the financial industry with the NYSE in my past life I like to say. I stayed because I think Chicago is such a special city - it has world-class charm, art and culture but really the people are the best and so down to earth.

Three of my favourite places right now to visit after a long day are RL restaurant - sit outside and sip a peach bellini. I also love sushi at Kai Zan, and a cocktail at the Robey Hotel Up Room. 

What is your life motto? 

If you are not obsessed with your life, change it. You can never be overdressed or overeducated.

Wow, ending on a high with that life motto! ! I hope you have enjoyed my first interview in my Moments to Motivate series. It’s been a chance to share wisdom from an inspiring women I’ve met on my journey as a business owner, wife and mum. It really was a pleasure.

From Wall Street to Fashion Week, Christina Karin Monley’s passion stems from empowering women to leave their comfort zones and dress for the life they dream of.  Having left a successful career in financial markets, Christina reimagined a brand in touch with the modern woman’s real life. Seeking greater artistic appreciation and creativity, she enrolled in Chicago’s esteemed School of the Art Institute and later launched her eponymous line.  The brand has become known for its global aesthetic that is both effortless and memorable, and stems from Christina’s extensive cultural roots and her background as a daughter of immigrants. 

“To me, Christina Karin embodies a global forward-thinking approach to fashion that is approachable.  The style is sophisticated yet effortless.  Never over-done. There is an optimistic and empowering viewpoint in each piece that fuses softness and strength to boldly tell the story of a woman creating her own reality and defying all odds.”

To learn more about this awesome brand and this amazing female founder head to https://www.christinakarin.com/

and follow Christina on Instagram