Barclays Black Founder Accelerator 2021 member
J A Clothing

We make clothing that's good for the wearer and the planet.
Why did you join the Barclays Black Founder Accelerator?
I joined the accelerator programme to learn from expert mentors and other entrepreneurs on a similar journey.
Why did you want to start your business?
Growing up learning about the ecological crisis and being interested in fashion, I wanted to create a business that helps to solve the environmental and ethical issues the fashion industry faces.
What would be your desired outcome from this programme?
To gain the knowledge and roadmap to be able to take my business to the next level.
Which entrepreneur inspires you the most and why?
My mother and father for sure. They are both entrepreneurs and work extremely hard to be successful.
What has been your biggest win in your entrepreneurial journey?
I think just starting. The most important step is the first one. J A Clothing has a wider mission to empower our customers and people with not only quality clothing that’s going to last them a long time, but information that can help them lead a sustainable lifestyle on all fronts. We share information on healthy eating, exercise and financial literacy.
Anything that will help someone be the best they can be. So, to be on the journey doing that is a big win.
What has been your biggest challenge?
The biggest challenge has been reaching as many people as we’d like to. We’re on a really exciting journey and we have great products and information to share.
Where did you go for business advice and how did it help you?
I am a big reader so I typically turn to books for information. A good book is like getting an upgrade in a game, you know you’re going to the next level. I’ll be sharing an extensive reading list that helped inform my thinking to get J A Clothing to the point it’s at now on ja-clothing.com. I also listen to a lot of podcasts to gain various perspectives on all things related to growing and running a business.
Podcasts and YouTube videos are another cheat code for information. You might have to listen to an hour-long podcast but someone will mention a book they read that helped them or share a technique that’s useful that’ll make it worth the time.
What drives you to make your business a success?
I think it’s very important to farm your own land so to speak. And I am very passionate about helping and empowering others.
What advice would you give other founders thinking about starting their own business?
Take the first step. Take action! And keep going despite any setbacks, they are just lessons.