As we celebrate International Women's Day, we are honoured to kick off our series of interviews with inspiring women who have not only conquered the challenges of entrepreneurship but have also redefined the narrative in their respective fields.
This International Women’s Day, AirRobe is proud to present an exclusive interview with Deborah Symond O'Neil, the visionary founder behind Mode Sportif, the ultimate fashion destination for designer and contemporary dressing.
Join us for an enlightening conversation that not only explores the intersection of fashion and sustainability but also celebrates the achievements and contributions of women in the industry.
Deborah's International Women's Day Collection
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There are many turning points in a brand or business journey. But to choose one I believe that pivoting and taking calculated risks is key. For Mode Sportif, it was moving into the fashion space and exploring products beyond the athleisure category. This was a huge move from our brand’s foundation, we listened to our customers feedback and decided it was the exciting next step for the business. I haven’t looked back!
AirRobe: International Women's Day celebrates the achievements of women. How do you envision Mode Sportif contributing to the empowerment of women, both in the world of fashion and beyond?
I believe there is power in creating a positive and uplifting in store experience and a space for women to feel confident and supported. Often how we feel when we get dressed significantly impacts our outlook for the day, and being able to support and help women to look good and feel great is very empowering!
I have been fortunate enough to have incredible mentorship from my parents. Both having a business background has been a wonderful opportunity for me to learn, grow and be guided throughout my career and business journey. I always hope to provide advice and direction for my wonderful team members, and also have connected with many women via social media who have asked for advice or tips, or a sounding board.. It's a fabulous platform to connect and to be inspired.
In all honesty balancing motherhood and business is most certainly challenging. The unpredictability of both home life and a fast paced small business make it very hard to plan! You absolutely can have both, but flexibility on both sides is required to make the balance work. The pendulum swings both ways, and some days one may be stronger than the other, and that’s ok!
We value creating a lasting wardrobe of quality items and by partnering with AirRobe we want to promote the value in a circular wardrobe as a sustainable way to shop or resell pre loved items. We stock a number of brands with a sustainable mindset, and am increasingly seeing conscious movements towards sustainable practices, materials and products. By working together we can continually improve and work towards more evolved practices.
Our partnership with AirRobe adds value to our clients and their wardrobes by making repurposing your wardrobe easy and accessible. There are many reasons beyond change of mind for why someone may wish to resell, and AirRobe removes the frustration or challenges that can sometimes be faced when reselling. By offering this service, we extend the lifetime of our quality products while working together toward a better planet.