7 Minutes with... Dior from Pepper Your Talk.
Meet Dior! As the Founder of Pepper Your Talk, a community and hub for students, graduates and young professionals, Dior knows a thing or two about the fashion industry. Letting us in on her journey, she talks fears, advice and the next 12 months.
HEY DIOR, GREAT TO HAVE YOU WITH US! FIRSTLY, DO YOU MIND INTRODUCING YOURSELF AND WHAT YOU DO?
Hey! You’re probably wondering if Dior is my real name and it is. I’m a fashion entrepreneur that doesn’t deal with clothes. That usually makes people curious enough to ask more or read on.
IN THREE WORDS, SUM UP PEPPER YOUR TALK?
Educational, accessible and value-packed.
WE LOVE PEPPER YOUR TALK. WHAT GAVE YOU THE IDEA AND WHY DO YOU THINK IT IS SO RELEVANT TO HAVE SOMETHING LIKE THIS IN 2019.?
Firstly, thank you! I got the idea from my own experience as a junior professional working in luxury fashion. My early experience was challenging in terms of understanding how the industry and the corporate world worked. With all of that in mind, I created a platform to give students, graduates and entry-level workers in fashion access to the information support their transition from education to employment.
WHAT HAS BEEN YOUR BIGGEST FEAR TO OVERCOME WHEN RUNNING THE BUSINESS?
The fear of really putting myself out there and asking to be paid my value. When running a service business the real task lies in proving your expertise and convincing people that the service will deliver results in their lives.
SOMETHING YOU WISH YOU’D KNOWN AT THE START?
I wish I had known more about my personal mindset limitations and worked on them more purposefully.
THE BEST PART OF RUNNING PEPPER YOUR TALK?
The fact that all the amazing girls and guys we’ve worked with have been supported by something I’ve built from scratch!
ONE PIECE OF ADVICE YOU WERE TOLD THAT YOU WANT TO SHARE WITH OTHER?
That you need to over-invest in your network because strong relationships go a long way in fashion. Give time, energy, resources and information to others because (good) people will always remember what you did you for them and how you made them feel.
THREE THINGS YOU WANT TO ACHIEVE IN THE NEXT 12 MONTHS?
Financial stability, a bigger network of girls to support and to continuously do the very important inner work on myself.
FINALLY, SOME QUICKFIRE QUESTIONS….
WHERE IS HOME?
North London and Accra, Ghana
3 APPS YOU CAN’T LIVE WITHOUT?
In order of how much I use them ASOS (lol), iMessage and Instagram
A PODCAST WE MUST LISTEN TO?
Case Files (True Crime)
A BRAND YOU ADMIRE AND WHY?
ChloéDigital because I’ve watched my friend build a go-to tech support system and her journey keeps me going
IF YOU COULD CHANGE ONE THING TO MAKE THE WORLD A BETTER PLACE, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
Very recently I’ve become so aware of how unforgiving people are. It’s my wish that people find it in their heart to forgive more.
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