Today we’d like to introduce you to Ashley Moore.
Ashley, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
My name is Ashley Moore and I am the Founder of Chiikis. Chiikis was born in 2019 in a true startup fashion— a single laptop from a San Diego apartment with a dream to revolutionize activewear for women. I was on a mission to create a movement dedicated to strengthening and empowering women of all ages, races, and ethnicities. When creating Chiikis, I wanted to bridge the gap between fashion and workout clothes that make women feel confident while wearing them. Before starting Chiikis I myself was not very confident in my own skin and wanted to create something that women were excited to put on and show off their beautiful bodies. When designing our products we wanted Chiikis to be your everyday outfit that you could dress up or down. Whether you were going to run errands, grab coffee, spin class, etc.
The last two years I was fortunate enough to build an amazing team and work with different manufacturers all around the world. I came to them with different designs and ideas and they were able to bring them to life. We officially launched in June 2021 and have done many different events all around San Diego since. We have had workout events, self-confidence building events, and many pop-ups across the county. Chiikis is an online store and we look forward to continuing growth as not only a company but a movement as well.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle free, but so far would you say the journey have been a fairly smooth road?
I think anyone who has started a business could agree that there are always going to be struggles when launching a company. One of the biggest struggles we have faced at Chiikis is finding enough time in the day. Starting a company is so much fun but it also comes with a lot of work. Managing your own time and others around you to make sure everything gets done can be difficult. Staying organized and on top of your schedule is very helpful. There is so much to do in a day but I like to set goals for each week and will cross them out once each one is accomplished. I have found by doing this you can see your progress and track what all is being done.
Overall, I have been very fortunate for my team and our community for all the love and support while launching this company. We have had gyms reach out and ask how they can get involved, news teams contacting us, and all of our customers who tag us in their Chiikis. At our events we get so excited to meet all of our customers and hear them talk about how much they love our brand. It makes any struggle we face worth it.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am the founder of Chiikis and make sure the company is running smoothly and oversee everything that is going on within the company. That ranges from social media posts, fulfilling shipment, designing new pieces, ad strategies, content creation, influencer programs, planning events, customer support, etc. My day to day isn’t something necessarily specific. I normally carve out time for each area that the company needs help with and put time into each one everyday. Before starting Chiikis I ran my own personal Instagram account that had over 12K followers on it so I had an idea of what it would be like running a business Instagram account. I love creating content, planning events, styling shoots, and coming up with new designs for Collections. I have always had a creative eye when it comes to those things and had the ability to really throw myself into it with Chiikis.
I would have to say I am most proud of what Chiikis as a brand stands for. Before starting Chiikis I knew there were many different activewear companies out there. I wanted Chiikis to be known for making you feel confident. Our community and customers embody what it means to be confident in your own skin no matter what shape or size you are. I wanted Chiikis to be the outfit you get excited to put on. I have already had so many women reach out and tell me how much they love to wear our clothes and how they make them feel so good to wear. What sets us apart from others is what the company stands for and is dedicated to. Chiikis encompasses what it means to be confident, independent, and beautiful by empowering women to pursue their best self and thrive in their own skin.
Before we let you go, we’ve got to ask if you have any advice for those who are just starting out?
My advice for anyone starting out is to keep going no matter what. It is hard to start your own business and you will face things that will make you want to quit or question your decision but that is when you have to remember why you started in the first place. I think everyone when they hear you run your own business doesn’t quite understand the hard work, time, and dedication that goes into it. Something that helped me was finding a community of other entrepreneurs to talk to and get advice from. It’s truly something magical when you find other people who are going through the same thing as you and you can support each other’s dreams.
Find an amazing team, community, and people to support your dreams because you can do it.
Pricing:
- Leggings range from $49-$59
- Tops & Bras range from $36-$39
Contact Info:
- Email: info@chiikis.com
- Website: www.chiikis.com
- Instagram: @chiikis.official
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/chiikisofficial
Image Credits
Hunter Moreno
