aSociete

 

Spotlight On:

Vanessa Gabriel Founder, aSociete www.asociete.com

 

One of the most oft quoted bits of business advice tossed around out there is to stick with what you know. So for Vanessa Gabriel, founder of online discount shopping site aSociete it made little sense that a bunch of corporate suit types could sell fashion to college students better than other college students. Being a college student she knew exactly what challenges students face when it comes to buying their favorite fashions: mainly price and style. Gabriel decided to give it a go and started aSociete. Here’s a little more about Vanessa Gabriel and aSociete.

Who is your target audience?

aSociete targets college students around the nation who love to shop.

Briefly describe your business or service

aSociete provides a unique online platform where students can shop for their favorite fashion brands at up to 50-80% off retail prices saving them tons of money. aSociete also allows students the opportunity to sell and trade their designer brand items to other students for money or other merchandise. aSociete is a place where students save money and make money when they shop. aSociete has been live and functional since late October of last year.

When you decide to start your business?

I decided to start aSociete because as a college freshman attending an out of state college I didn’t have a car and no local mall to shop at. I quickly turned to the internet to satisfy my shopping needs from the convenience of my dorm. On the Internet I came across sites like Gilt Groupe and Hautelook that were featuring fashion brands at up to 80% off retail prices and loved the idea but hated the fact that the brands didn’t fit my style or were way out of my budget still. After more research I couldn’t find a site like that but for college students and was immediately inspired because I knew students like me would love to shop at a place like that.

Where does your inspiration or motivation come from?

My inspiration for aSociete is rooted from my own shopping problems I experienced while in college. The motivation to start my own business really came from my upbringing, knowing that I could achieve whatever I set my mind to.

What was your biggest challenge starting out and how did you overcome it?

The biggest challenge was starting a company without any business experience whatsoever. As a freshman in college the only business knowledge I had was from my business classes and being around my parents who were entrepreneurs themselves. I turned to my dad for some guidance on starting a company, did a lot of research, made a lot of mistakes, and just immersed myself in the fashion industry.

What is your favorite aspect of your business?

My favorite aspect is knowing that I’m helping students save money when they shop. I love the feeling of getting a good bargain and its priceless to know that we’re helping college students around the nation experience that.

Let’s get a little personal, tell us about yourself:

I love to snowboard! Snowboarding has been a huge part of my life ever since I was young and was even one of the main reasons I chose to attend theUniversityofColoradoatBoulderfor college. I just love being outdoors and anything that has to do with enjoying nature. I also love to go thrift shopping whether it’s at flea markets or thrift stores. Like I mentioned earlier I’m obsessed with getting good deals and there’s something priceless about finding unique items that no one else has at crazy discounted prices.

Tell us your best tips for working through those business lulls?

To always believe in yourself and your business no matter what negativity surrounds you. At the end of the day we have the power to make whatever we set our mind to happen and our biggest enemy could be ourselves. Just think that you’re working for your future and to make a difference in this world.