Q. What are some weird tidbits you have learned in this adventure?
A. Throughout this adventure, I’ve learned that I am way stronger than I ever imagined. I trust my instincts more than ever. Most importantly, I take time to reflect on what I have done and how one little thought grew into a company that is aimed to make people feel good. I feel unstoppable when I look good, it’s that added confidence that no one can take from you. It feels great knowing I can bring that feeling to so many women.
Q. You're dyslexic, how has that affected your career?
A. I think it is really important to share this part of myself with others. Growing up I was labeled “troubled” by teachers because I learned in a different way. College was definitely a struggle, but I was able to graduate from UCLA with a high GPA after being told throughout high school I would never get that far. I am an applied learner and, of course, repetition helps. For all the areas I fell short in the past, I think the most important take away is my ability to see the long term and think outside of the box. In business, it’s celebrated to think this way, but sometimes in school, you can be labeled as a “bad student” just because you think in a different way. I still have double and triple check numbers and details in the day to day, but I now view the way I think as my gift, and I am happy to share that part of myself for anyone else that has struggled in a traditional setting.
Q. What was your career path before No Mo-Stache, School, first job, the whole shebang?
A. OMG, I loved working since I was a kid. My first job was at the Pac Sun in the Santa Anita Mall, and I loved greeting people with “Pac Sun Santa Anita this is Gita, how can I help you?” People usually laughed but I thought it was so rad to make my own money. I have always been good at connecting with people so sales were my forte. I did several stints in retail before I got into the wholesale side of things. I loved building brands while at Lefties. It is so cool when you can sell someone’s collection and share it with so many people. As I transitioned into selling my own brand, I realized I was actually really bad at it in the beginning. I wondered why was I so jazzed on other people’s stuff and so shy with my own. I overcame this by learning to detach myself from No Mo. I sell it like I am not part of it. It is an easy way to share the excitement without the feeling like I am the most big-headed person in the world.
Q. Words to live by?
A You are limitless. I remind myself of that all the time. The main reason I started this journey was to see how far I can take it. I often think that if I never took the leap of faith, I wouldn’t have been able to see what I’m actually capable of. We all have it in us and it is a really good reminder to go for it. When obstacles come in my way, I reflect on all the things I have done to get here, and it pushes me to see what else I can do. I am a regular person, and I am seeing out my dreams of owning a business and getting my product in retailers that I could only dream of when starting out. I love sharing my story because we all have it in us. Self-doubt and overthinking is the number one thing stopping anyone from reaching their true potential. I am lucky to have the support of wonderful friends and family, and them being proud of how far I’ve come motivates me to go even further. I am so excited for what the future brings with No Mo!
© 2024 Sidway.
