I found myself working in investment management after university, having completed two internships at banks and asset managers during my undergraduate degree. I was hired on to a very corporate graduate programme as an investment analyst, and the career progression and goal was clear: to get my CFA qualification and become a portfolio manager. In reality, I did a complete career change by making my side hustle – founding a fashion tech startup – into my full-time career!

I was one of the very few females investing in corporate bonds. I was also only 24 years old and not white. I was asking CEOs and CFOs of listed companies in intimate meetings and industry-wide conferences to explain their (under)performance and why I should continue investing in them. Owning my position, role and duties was an incredibly steep learning curve professionally and personally, but I’ve never been more grateful and proud to be so trusted and respected.

Not many solo female founders (that are also first-timers, women of colour and immigrants) have been able to raise venture capital. I’m grateful to have done so, and I continue to hold a large majority stake in my company, which again is rare in the consumer space.

My husband, our community – which had grown without any paid marketing campaigns or connections – and the overwhelming support for the sustainable and circular fashion movements that we were beginning to see in mainstream media in 2019.

It really is different every day! Today, for example, I did my hair and makeup (for a change!) at 7.30am, ran an investor meeting at 9am, then filmed with three guests for our podcast series, On Rotation, at our Marylebone townhouse office and, finally, dashed to the other side of town for another investor meeting.

Best: Reading heartwarming stories from our community about how By Rotation is helping them, and meeting our community in real life.

Worst: Hiring, fundraising… They are a lot of work and time-consuming, require all your attention and can be quite admin-heavy but are also incredibly important.

While I am usually very composed during times of stress, I have an anxious and hyper mind and thus find it very difficult to switch off. I am really always ‘on’! That said, I love to work out alone. Also a glass of wine at my favourite local wine bar, The Italians in Marylebone, is always nice!

I recently spoke alongside Natalie Massenet (founder of Net-A-Porter) at Harvard Business School for their 32nd annual Women in Business conference and had the pleasure to connect with her. I was deeply impressed and inspired by her mettle and story – she’s tough love, no nonsense, self-aware and very authentic. I also love her focus on wanting to do things that are completely different to others, and not follow the herd.

I’m still very much learning on the job, and this is one of the areas where I’m constantly understanding new things. What I’ve experienced so far is that a good manager hires people that have expert skills that he/she does not possess, equips them to become better versions of themselves professionally and does not micromanage.

I’m grateful to see more women of colour being highlighted in this space – even a female Indian CEO at Chanel is so encouraging! I am super excited for a luxury industry based on merit (substance), rather than the ‘right’ background (style).

There’s certainly much more flexibility than I experienced as a fresh graduate working in finance. Take, for example, new trends such as ‘quiet quitting’ where people have little connection to their work beyond the bare minimum.

Lean in to the things that make me unique and continue to show my personality beyond my work – don’t feel worried about the rules of the corporate world and ruffling feathers! Also, don’t give up coding and graphic design because these industries end up being extremely coveted.

I’d recommend starting off the business idea as a side hustle first and validate your commitment to it – passions should not be confused for livelihoods.