Today we’d like to introduce you to Luna Zermeno.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Luna. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I was submerged in an office work, and got invited to a wedding where I wanted to feel free and dance in front of the lake, so I bought fabrics, created the first pair of Aika pants and since that moment, I have been stopped by women all around asking about them, so I decided to make a couple more… when I moved to SD, I got pregnant and the isolation and magic that comes with becoming a mom got me into a place where I had the necessity to create a colorful brand for women to feel FREE, comfortable and connected to themselves.
That evening I didn’t take a shower, lighted up an incense and called my graphic designer friend, together, we created the logo, and Aika was born while I cried, swearing to myself I was going to work for women, and here I am… seven years after doing just that…
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
No, it’s not always a smooth road, I can’t count how many times I have felt like giving up, thinking that anything makes sense, that there are too many brands out there, and when I am about to throw it all out, something magical happens ALWAYS: a new client message, a call, a text from a women telling me how awesome their Aika’s feel, a picture, an email, or just a sudden spark of inspiration that reminds me WHY am I doing this and that is how I get all excited again.
You need to have your mission CLEAR, my advice is to have a vision with a deep PURPOSE, that will for sure help to get through the moments of doubt as the creativity and inspiration is cyclic, so just have a good purpose for it all to make it all easier, and remember that we are UNIQUE and nobody will ever do things the same, so keep up, and dont compare your project to any other.
Also, count that you will not live from the money of your project in the first years so have a backup plan.
Please tell us more about your work, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
I am a PR advocate, I believe that from your relations unexpected doors will open. I love to work hand to hand with women and collaborate elevating each other. I dont like competition, I believe we need to keep trying to work as ONE, empower each other and walk together through success.
I do all the creative part of Aika, choosing fabrics, designing, sales, customer service, new partnerships, inspiration, and my husband (my one and only partner) manages the numbers and logistics.
We want to make things different, listen to our customers and create together. We work with passion to create a very tasteful yet colorful piece of fashion to pump up your closet and let you walk in style.
Do you have a lesson or advice you’d like to share with young women just starting out?
You dont need a degree to bring your dreams into reality.
You need some money to start creating.
You need a second plan to pay bills while you work on your dreams.
Dont have partners, do collaborations while you figure out your core mission.
Be kind to everybody, you never know who you can meet that will help you get there.
Cents count so have a track of every penny.
You can create all you imagine.
BELIEVE in yourself and your vision and work hard to make it happen.
Pricing:
- Retail price $68
- Special 20% for readers with code sdvoyageaika20 approx price $55
- Wholesale price minimum 10 pieces emailing to us directly for details aikacircle@gmail.com
Contact Info:
- Website: www.aikacircle.com
- Phone: 858.213.6154
- Email: aikacircle@gmail.com
- Instagram: @aikacircle
Image Credit:
Natiya Guin @portrait_of_health in collaboration with Aika Graphic Designer team
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