In this inspiring episode of She Means Business, host Dr. Myrrha Satow sits down with Isabel De Sousa, the powerhouse founder behind Akaila — a fashion label carried by Saks, Nordstrom, and featured in Vogue and Glamour magazines. Isabel shares her entrepreneurial journey from selling swimsuits in college to leading a women-owned brand known for limited-edition collections and purpose-driven partnerships.
With a rare triple major in Economics, Marketing, and Management, Isabel blends data-savvy decision-making with heartfelt storytelling. She opens up about the value of starting small, the importance of clear brand messaging, and why outsourcing is key to scaling a sustainable product-based business. Isabel also shares her views on avoiding comparison traps, embracing feminine leadership, and staying inspired while managing the realities of entrepreneurship.
Whether you're just launching or scaling your venture, this episode is packed with actionable advice, from how to position your brand in a saturated market to why "balance" is a myth — and priorities are everything.
Highlights:
*Why storytelling is your superpower in e-commerce
*How to stand out without reinventing the wheel
*Growth mistakes to avoid as a product-based founder
*The emotional realities of leaving a 9-to-5
*Isabel’s dream of international expansion (and being the “cool mom” on one of her photo shoots!)
Where to Find Isabel:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/scaleyourproduct
Website: https://www.akaliaofficial.com/
Brand: https://www.instagram.com/akaliaofficial/

#business #founder #women #ceo #startup #fashion #nyc #usa

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