Her Biz September 2022 Winner
Owner of ethical clothing company ‘Terrakah’, Jazzmin Kelly wins £500 through NatWest Her Biz workshop programme
A brand with a passion for fashion and sustainability at its heart, Jazzmin Kelly from Canterbury, Kent, hopes to create an alternative to fast fashion with her start-up business ‘Terrakah’, by creating beautiful, ethical and high quality garments that will stand the test of time.
Jazzmin won £500 towards her start-up costs for Terrakah after taking part in the NatWest funded Her Biz start-up workshop programme, and submitting her winning business plan to the following optional competition, which is open to all participants.
The Her Biz programme, which is delivered by Let’s Do Business Group and support by NatWest bank, consists of 4 x 2 hour workshops over 4 weeks, and aims to increase entrepreneurship by breaking down the barriers between women and starting or growing a business. Delivered virtually over Zoom by two expert business coaches, the programme has been a long running success since it launched over 3 years ago.
Terrakah: sustainable at its core
It's Jazzmin’s goal for Terrakah to manufacture and sell ethical and sustainable clothing online, and it to grow into a well known brand not just for its aesthetic and well made pieces, but for it’s ethical and sustainable values that resonate with the modern shopper. She hopes to create fashionable pieces that don’t compromise on quality or the treatment of the people that make them, either; sourcing fabric from deadstock suppliers in wholesale quantities, and using ethical manufacturers in both the UK and India to create a 100% transparent supply chain.
Terrakah’s designs will lean towards a more bohemian style, with the colours, textures and shapes offering a timeless feel that customers can wear over and over again.
“Sustainable fashion is a passion of mine. I would like Terrakah to create beautiful clothes that are ethical, sustainable, and contribute towards the
solution of fast fashion's impact on the global climate crisis.”
Having geared her education towards fashion and textiles, Jazzmin acquired a BTEC National Diploma from the University of Creative Arts, Canterbury, where her final project centred on sustainable fashion and materials – planting the seeds for Terrakah.
Tackling fast fashion and employment gaps
Wanting to make a career out of her creative design skills, and being on the autism spectrum herself, Jazzmin hopes that Terrakah can be innovative in more than just fashion, but in closing the employment gap for autistic women. By starting the new business, she aims to create a work environment that can provide training and employment opportunities for more women like her, and celebrates the unique and creative skills that come with embracing neurodiversity in the workplace.
“As a person on the autism spectrum, closing the employment gap for autistic
women is a subject close to my heart.”
Big plans for 2023
Prior to beginning to trade, Jazzmin plans to Terrakah’s first garment on the marketing by March 2023, and create it by developing garment designs with an established pattern cutter. The unique and loveable designs will first be made and then sold in a limited quantity on online platform Etsy, before later moving onto Terrakah’s own website once momentum picks up.
Terrakah aims to appeal to millennial women who seek aesthetic additions to their wardrobe, but are conscious of the impact of fast fashion on the climate. The brand hopes to tick the box of feminine aesthetic and durability while also keeping up with current fashion trends of earthy tones and textures, but without the murky background of a fast fashion supply chain.
“Our products, manufacturing process, and business goals strive to be part of the global solution of the damaging effects of fast fashion.”
As Terrakah begins to get the ball rolling, Jazzmin plans to first start manufacturing garments in her home work-space, then rent a studio space as sales grow. As well as the manufacturing side, Jazzmin will take on the sales, admin and marketing of the business in the short term, but as the business expands, she’ll begin to segment duties across the staff she takes on.
Getting ready to launch Terrakah with the Her Biz programme
Jazzmin joined the Her Biz Women’s Start Up Programme delivered by Let’s Do Business Group to help her refine her plans for Terrakah, and gain the confidence to pursue her goal.
Through the 4 x 2 hour sessions of the course, which covered modules about sales, marketing, finance and planning, Jazzmin was able to formulate a detailed business plan that encapsulated her strategy and goals for her business Terrakah. After completing the course, she submitted her plan to the option Her Biz Business Plan Competition, and won the £500 prize towards her start up costs.
'Taking part in the Her Biz program helped me fine-tune my ideas into a presentable format, helping others understand my goals and purpose going forwards as a business. I'm so grateful for the user-friendly approach Lisa and Helena provided in breaking down the information and am looking forward to exploring the next phase, knowing I have a thoroughly researched plan of action to move forwards with.'
Jazzmin hopes that after her first garment comes to the market from March 2023, Terrakah will grow to acquire sustainability credentials within the first 2 years of operating, and begin to make a difference by offering employment opportunities to neurodiverse women in the workplace.
All at Let’s Do Business Group wish Jazzmin and Terrakah the best of luck!
