THE THE NORTH SOUTH WEST
UK BLACK BUSINESS GUIDE 2021-22
By Naomi & Zhmarii
A
fter unexpectedly finding out I was pregnant at 19 and unable to continue working as a full time rock climbing instructor I knew my furture was about to change Once my son Zhmarii was born I was quick to realise juggling motherhood and slowly returning back to work was harder than I imagined, I was running on little to no sleep and had major mum guilt every minute I was away from him. Even though I loved my job it no longer made me happy. I wanted to create a business where I choose my own hours and watch my beautiful baby boy grow from the comfort of my home. So I decided to take a huge gamble and left my job after working there for 3 years, I spent the next few months being a stay at home mom which I absolutely loved, I had time to take my son to baby groups meet other new mums and go on coffee
dates lots of coffee dates however deep down I missed working and knew I need something to support myself and Zhmarii. Out of nowhere COVID-19 hit, just before the uk when into lockdown I brought myself my first standard sewing machine to keep me busy. I started to learn basic skills from YouTube on how to make a simple T-shirt, I took the time to learn how to pattern make which enabled me to create my own crop tops,halter necks and tank tops while the shops where closed. A few months later I decided I wanted to improve my skills an purchase an overlocker which my mum ended up surprising me with as an early birthday present. Due to being in lockdown and nowhere to buy fabric I started to gather old and damaged clothes from my mum and my siblings wardrobes and started cutting them up and patch working them
together to create a completely new top for myself. with my pattern making skills I had learnt from YouTube I decided to create a few tops in various sizes to sell online to make a bit of extra money to tie us over during the lockdown. On the 13th of April 2021 I decided to open my first pop up shop in Redbrick Market Birmingham with no savings no clothing rails and no stock i immediately got to work making a few items with scrap fabric and of cuts I found around the house in hope I get a few sales so that I can reinvest into my business ZhMOOdesigns items are bright, colourful, eye catching and of course inside out. Yes you heard me right the stitching of all of my clothes are on the outside. Each design is completely handmade by me and the colours threads are chosen by my two year old son Zhmarii I knew I wanted to keep my business as sustainable as possible as it all began from up cycling old clothes. the fabrics I use are old clothes and remnants from other clothing designers and manufacturers. These fabrics are all discontinued therefore I can only make a couple of garments at a time, this adds to the uniqueness. Since opening my shop in Redbrick Market Birmingham I have received so much positive feedback and had so many amazing opportunities to meet other young creatives. n Zhmoodesigns at redbrick market Birmingham 119 floodgate street, deritend, Birmingham B5 5SU. Instagram: @zhmoodesigns
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