Vanessa Souza: Unemployed Fashion Designer to Matching Mummy Wear with Mimi Miya

A fashion designer and stylist for a TV network, Vanessa Souza was heavily pregnant, single and lost her dream job when COVID hit. And like thousands of others she couldn’t find a new one.

Vanessa’s true passion being design, she knew she needed to take control. She took a risk and started her own e-commerce business Mimi Miya and created a mother and daughter and family matching clothing brand.

Not having a job was frightening, I was about to become a mother and I had no way of supporting my daughter financially. I knew I had to take control and take a risk. I took my passion for design and the passion I have for my daughter and designed a fashion line for mummy and daughter. When my daughter sees that we are wearing the same clothes she gets so excited, we are creating a stronger bond and making memories through fashion. As a single mum I needed to create a living, I’m so blessed that I’ve been able to do that and in the same breath create something for and with my daughter.

Vanessa said losing her job while pregnant just before her baby was born was tough and scary. She no longer had a stable job to support herself let alone a baby and she was newly single. After weeks of crying to find a job, she took the plunge and decided to start her own business.

When Vanessa found out she was having a girl she started to search for matching mummy and daughter clothing and could not find anything special or of the quality that she was looking for. And so the idea for Mimi Miya was born.

We recently chatted to Vanessa about her startup journey.

Was entering into the word of entrepreneurship something you always thought about or was it a situational change?

I always thought about it, when I did I start working as a fashion designer for many Australian brands and then the TV network it certainly gave me the confidence but it was situational that forced my hand to take the leap of faith.

What challenges did you have to overcome at the beginning of your journey?

Low capital, finding customers without having to spend a huge amount in expos and special events to be able to find those customers, managing time looking after my daughter as a single mum and the business activities.

Who or what was integral to you overcoming these hurdles?

Friends support when I hit a brick wall they have been very good to me, faith in god, confidence in my work, and the friends I knew in the industry who have given me support and helped whichever way they can.

Your fashion line Mimi Miya is high quality mummy daughter matching clothes, what was the inspiration behind it?

After fashion school my focus and passion has always been for high couture exquisite fashion. And me wanting my daughter to be part of that and share those experiences with me and feel inspired and happy dressing same as mummy in comfortable beautiful clothing.

Where would you like to see Mimi Miya go?

Worldwide giving access to all mums and kids across the globe. And hopefully one day on the runway since I have never seen a family matching brand on the runway or anywhere before.

It’s something new in the fashion industry. Some brands have a few matching styles as extras but never seen an actual matching brand specialised in that founded by a mum and daughter for a mum and their kids.

What have you enjoyed most about starting your own company?

The creation process I guess because I am a designer and creative person I love that part of the business.

Also seeing the final product after all the hard work is very rewarding. Recently we received our pyjamas line and the boxes were so beautiful ( the pyjamas as well of course) but people have no idea how much work it goes in producing/creating beautiful packaging it’s expensive and also a lot of work involved. For some not very important, for me I want those who receives their package to feel loved and special and excited to match with their child. And hopefully keep them as keepsake.

Who are the people around you that allow you to thrive and give support?

A few friends of mine in Australia who are like a family to me who I’ve known since I moved here 14 years ago. And my daughter she is my highest motivation. She is the one that I wake up and go to sleep everyday looking at her and telling myself “ I have to do this, I can do this, I will do this”. For me it is not optionable it is a must so I can provide her a better future.

As a Mum and founder juggling responsibilities, how do you make the most of your day?

Literally “juggling” running here and there. She goes to childcare 4 days a week which helps a lot without that I wouldn’t be able to make it all happen.