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Turning Survivor’s Guilt into Purpose: How Shahd Alasaly Built a Refugee-Led Fashion Brand
Manage episode 517697613 series 3449140
In this episode, Garret Wong sits down with Shahd Alasaly, founder of Blue Meets Blue, a humanitarian fashion brand that employs refugee women and redefines ethical fashion. Shahd opens up about her personal journey from the Syrian civil war to entrepreneurship, sharing how she turned survivor’s guilt into a movement of healing, empowerment, and social justice.
Listeners will discover what it takes to build a business rooted in compassion while balancing sustainability, culture, and community impact.
Timestamps:
[00:00:00] Introduction:
Garret introduces Shahd Alasaly and sets the stage for a conversation about purpose, resilience, and social entrepreneurship.
[00:02:00] Early Life and Identity:
Shahd discusses growing up between two worlds — Syrian heritage and North American upbringing — and how identity shaped her academic and personal path.
[00:06:00] The Weight of Survivor’s Guilt:
She reflects on the emotional toll of watching her home country suffer and how that pain sparked her desire to help displaced families.
[00:07:30] Founding Blue Meets Blue:
Shahd shares the origin story of her humanitarian clothing line, creating a safe space for refugee women to rebuild their confidence through art and craftsmanship.
[00:09:20] The Principles of Slow Fashion:
A deep dive into ethical production, sustainability, and the importance of valuing quality over quantity in a world driven by fast fashion.
[00:19:45] Art as Therapy and Healing:
How creative work became a form of collective healing for refugee women—and what Shahd learned from their stories of resilience.
[00:25:00] Balancing Entrepreneurship, Motherhood, and Purpose:
Shahd opens up about managing multiple roles while staying true to her mission of justice and compassion.
[00:29:00] Legacy and Defining Success:
She shares her vision for the next generation: building businesses that serve others and prove that compassion and profit can coexist.
Key Takeaways:
- True leadership often begins with pain, transforming personal loss into social good.
- Ethical and sustainable businesses can thrive when built on community and purpose.
- Healing is collective; creating safe spaces fosters both economic and emotional growth.
- Success isn’t measured by scale, but by the lives changed through your work.
About the Guest: Shahd Alasaly
Shahd Alasaly is the founder of Blue Meets Blue, a humanitarian fashion brand that employs refugee women to create sustainable, high-end clothing. With a background in international psychology and sociology, Shahd combines academic insight with real-world impact, using art therapy and slow fashion to empower women who have endured displacement and trauma. She is currently pursuing her Ph.D. at the University of South Florida, researching social inequality and collective healing.
Mentioned in this Episode:
- Blue Meets Blue Official Website
- University of South Florida – Sociology Department
- Slow Fashion Movement
Connect with Shahd Alasaly:
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