Ep. 123 How To Curate A Career You Love By Taking Every Opportunity With Irene Agbontaen
1Digest
This podcast features Irene Agbontine, founder of the clothing brand Taller Than Your Average (TTYA), which caters to taller women. Irene discusses her upbringing in a Nigerian household in South London and her early career experiences in retail and nightlife, which shaped her entrepreneurial journey. She details her career at Selfridges and Complex Magazine, highlighting the skills and experiences gained. The podcast delves into the genesis of TTYA, the challenges of launching a brand, including finding reliable suppliers and managing finances while working multiple jobs. Irene shares the day-to-day realities of running TTYA, such as supply chain issues, shipping damage, and the importance of insurance. The impact of COVID-19 on her business and her decision to take a full-time job while continuing to develop TTYA are also discussed. Finally, Irene shares her experiences with homeownership as a Black female solo homeowner and offers advice on knowing your worth and negotiating.
Outlines
Early Life, Career, & TTYA Genesis
Irene Agbontine's background in South London, early career in retail and nightlife, and the inspiration behind her clothing brand TTYA for taller women, including initial struggles and the decision to launch despite challenges.
Career Progression & Defining Success
Irene's career path, including her time at Selfridges and Complex Magazine, different perspectives on success, and her experiences with her forensic science degree.
Launching TTYA & Overcoming Early Hurdles
The challenges of launching TTYA in the early 2010s, securing the first Selfridges order, balancing multiple jobs, and early business lessons.
Daily Realities & Lessons Learned at TTYA
The day-to-day realities of running TTYA, including supply chain issues, shipping damage, the importance of insurance, and valuable lessons learned.
COVID-19's Impact & Career Evolution
The impact of COVID-19 on TTYA, Irene's decision to take a full-time job, and her adaptation strategies for the brand.
Homeownership & Final Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs
Irene's experiences with homeownership as a Black female solo homeowner and her advice on knowing your worth, negotiating, and embracing challenges.
Keywords
Taller Than Your Average (TTYA)
A clothing brand founded by Irene Agbontine for taller women, addressing a gap in the market for well-fitting apparel.
Solo Founder
An entrepreneur who starts and runs a business independently.
Grassroots Marketing
A marketing strategy focused on building relationships with local communities.
Multi-hyphenate Career
A career path encompassing multiple disciplines or industries.
Supply Chain Management
Oversight of the flow of goods and services, from origin to final delivery.
Entrepreneurial Challenges
Obstacles faced by entrepreneurs, such as funding, logistics, and market competition.
Black Female Entrepreneur
A woman of African descent who owns and operates her own business.
Homeownership
The process of owning a home, including the financial and logistical aspects.
Q&A
What inspired you to start TTYA, and what were some of the biggest challenges you faced in the early stages?
The lack of well-fitting clothes for taller women inspired TTYA. Early challenges included finding reliable suppliers, managing finances, and navigating international shipping.
How did your diverse career experiences contribute to your success with TTYA?
These experiences provided valuable skills in merchandising, networking, understanding consumer needs, and building community.
How did you overcome the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic?
COVID forced a pivot; Irene took a full-time job while adapting TTYA, focusing on community building and consulting.
What is the most important advice you would give to aspiring entrepreneurs?
Know your worth, understand your value, negotiate for what you deserve, embrace challenges, and build strong relationships.
Show Notes
Irene Agbontaen is a someone whose career is defined by being the change she wanted to see. Back in 2018, she was becoming increasingly frustrated at the lack of clothes on the market for taller women, so she took matters into her own hands and founded TTYA, which stands for Taller Than Your Average. The brand saw monumental success, however, since then, she's curated a multifaceted career for herself just by saying yes.
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IRENE
IG: https://www.instagram.com/irenettya/?hl=en
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CHAPTERS
0:00 introduction
1:39 Her childhood & aspirations
10:15 Having a picture of what you want to do
12:14 How she got her first big break
19:49 Hustling to get her brand off the ground
27:12 Getting her first order from selfridges
29:19 True hustle & running club nights
34:34 The biggest challenges she faced
42:17 How to turn everything into an opportunity
50:00 Not changing yourself to fit a career
56:20 Buying 2 properties & how she did it
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Table of contents
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