Scrap Queen - The online marketplace celebrating upcycled fashion and interior style
Scrap Queen is an online marketplace celebrating upcycled fashion and interior style. Today we're delighted to sit down with founder Hiroko Shimada to hear more about her business and entrepreneurial journey!
Welcome to NEXUS Startup Diaries, the number one place to discover the hottest and most inspiring startups and founders.
Today we're excited to meet NEXUS member Hiroko Shimada of Scrap Queen...
So Hiroko, tell us more about Scrap Queen
Scrap Queen is an online marketplace celebrating upcycled fashion and interior style. Anyone can buy and sell upcycled textile products such as clothing, accessories, interior fabrics, and pre-loved textile materials.
How did you come up with the business idea and what problem are you looking to solve?
The business model was created by the NEXUS ESG Start-Up Programme, and the idea came from my experience in working in fashion and textile industry as a print designer.
What made you want to start your own business?
I wanted to build a career as a textile designer in the UK/ Europe in earlier days, but found it difficult because it was a little too competitive for me. Plus it didn't feel like there was much demand for textile designers due to the current situation of fashion and textile industry.
What stage is your business currently at?
Our team is currently hard at work focusing on building the first MVP of Scrap Queen.
What do you love most about being an entrepreneur?
Whether or not I desired or planned to be an entrepreneur, the story my life has taken so far is well connected to this entrepreneurship journey.
What is the number one business tip you've learned that you'd like to share with fellow budding entrepreneurs?
Always be open to new information, advice, and especially criticism...
Who are your startup heroes?
Ethan Diamond of BandCamp and Rob Kalin of Etsy are two of my favourites.
Is there anything else you'd like to share with the world?
Only something good feeling will break through a bunch of difficulties in life...
Where can people find you online?
Please follow @upcycle_uk on Instagram!
It's been really great to chat today Hiroko! Good luck in the future with your business and we look forward to catching up with you soon.
If you're interested in starting, running or scaling your own business, then why not enquire about NEXUS membership here
...and if you're interested in featuring your own entrepreneurial journey on the NEXUS Startup Diaries blog, then get in touch and let's share that story with the world!