In its first 11 months, Soulmate Customs made more than $1 million in revenue and built a following of over 150 million on social media–and teenage founder Keida Dervishi is just getting started. We’ll hear how she started and grew her eCommerce business in this interview.

The entrepreneurial spirit runs in Keida’s family–but, ironically, she didn’t set out to start an embroidery business with her idea for Soulmate Customs. She was on a different quest: to make the perfect birthday gift for her mom. She had a photo embroidered on a sweatshirt, and it was such a hit she realized there was a potential market for these custom gifts. Soon after, she launched the store on Shopify and the orders started pouring in.

Social media has been huge in driving Soulmate Customs’ growth. In this episode, Keida shares her unique social media strategy and what kind of content gets the most engagement. She’ll also talk through the ups and downs she’s experienced on her entrepreneurial journey so far, and the lessons she learned from her parents that helped her start a thriving business at such a young age.

Resources

SoulmateCustoms.com - Find out more about Soulmate Customs on their website
Forbes 30 Under 30 - See the full list of young entrepreneurs making waves in 2023
UpFlip HUB - More actionable advice on how to start and grow a business
How This 16 Year Old Started a $30K/Month Coffee and Flower Shop - UpFlip podcast episode 61
Secrets of the Millionaire Mind - book by T. Harv Eker on mastering a wealth mindset
Speak Like a CEO - book by Suzanne Bates with practical advice for better communication

Connect with UpFlip:

For more insights to start, build, or grow a business, check out the resources on UpFlip.com or head to the UpFlip YouTube channel to see more interviews with business owners and experts.

Thanks for listening!

101. How a 19-Year-Old Generated $1M in Just 11 Months

The UpFlip Podcast