CEREN, FOUNDER & CREATIVE DIRECTOR
BUILD A TEAM THAT COMPLETES THE PUZZLE
Build a team with strengths in your areas of weakness – working with my sister and cousin has been my greatest blessing. My strength is design. Cagil’s strength is the ethical production of that design. Hazal’s strength is marketing that design to build a beautiful community.
Each of us have no idea how to do the other’s job and it’s beautiful that way. We stay out of each other’s lanes and support with our own skill set to create a trifecta of business management!
FIND YOUR NICHE & BE THE EXPERT IN IT THROUGH RICH BRAND STORY
When establishing Oddbird, instead of focusing on creating a broad fashion brand that ultimately competes with trends and expensive and wasteful seasonal production – we chose a niche within the endless fashion spectrum- finding our voice in the seasonless staples in ‘lounge’. My own experience mother informed my design and OB’s pieces became geared toward women who were needing elevated comfort pieces that would transition with them throughout a woman’s busy day while also being nursing friendly. Within ‘lounge’ we went even more niche and focused on every piece being pregnancy and postpartum friendly. This meant that we weren’t competing directly with as many other businesses but were able to build a community that needed specific needs met. This was a great place to grow from and have us a unique voice.
ESTABLISH YOUR PILLARS AND LET THEM LEAD YOU
Establish your brand pillars and adhere to them without compromise. These will be your both your guide as your business inevitably changes over time and your foundation as you grow.
Ours are
ETHICAL PRACTICES
SUSTAINABLE PRODUCTION
QUALITY
AND CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE.
The 4 most important components in how we do business.
Without them, it’s easy to lose your way. With them, your brand stays true, no matter the season.