Rima Tadmory, a Fashion design graduate from BCU, found it difficult to find work in her chosen field, once she left university.
She previously stated in an interview that: “My late grandmother used to make dresses and I grew up watching her and helping – sewing and making things. I always had a passion for fashion and studied hard, but there was no work around after I left university.
“I had to sign on for Job Seekers Allowance. It was really frustrating to be signing on after studying so hard!
“I was too over qualified for the jobs I was being offered, but though my advisor at the Job Centre I heard about the Prince’s Trust.”
Rima lives in Castle Bromwich, where she discovered that she was eligible for the Prince’s Trust Enterprise Scheme, which helps young people who are unemployed, to learn how to set up their own business.
Rima was provided with a business mentor and some financial support, as part of the Enterprise programme.
Five years later, she is now the proud owner of Rima Tadmory, which is a company that specialises in wedding dresses for the Asian community.
Rima designs and manufactures the business and she is currently fully booked until October 2018.
Rima has flown worldwide, to sell her amazing wedding designs and has even offered internships to over 20 university students, some of whom have stayed on to work for Rima at the end of their placements.
Her business is based in the Custard Factory, where she currently employs a freelance designer who works three days a week and helps to oversee the manufacturing and design process.
Rima has stated that: “Starting this business has allowed me to travel the world – so far, I’ve taken ten trips outside of the UK. I also undertook some charity work abroad within the design and manufacturing industry which was an amazing experience.”
“I feel so fortunate that I broke even within my first year of trading in 2012, was able to make a profit in the second year and have since been seeing my bookings and profits increase each year.”
Rima received her big break, when she designed the wedding dress for influential blogger Dina Torkia, who has over 1.4 million Instagram followers.
Rima continued to say: “The support from my Prince’s Trust business mentor was also invaluable she provided me with much-needed advice and support – it would have been a real lonely hard slog otherwise.”
“I remember the first dress I designed was my friend’s wedding dress when I was at uni. I was so nervous to be creating a piece for her most special day. I was finishing off the final touches minutes before she walked down the aisle! It’s amazing to think how far I’ve come since then.”
Rima said that her hometown had helped her to expand her business to the mini global empire it is today.
She said: “Birmingham is without a doubt the central hub of the UK – and for me it’s the best place to be as it allows my clients from all over, whether they’re in the north or south to reach me with ease.
“But I’ve just had a baby so now I’m realising how much time and effort I’ve put into my work and it’s time for a bit of work-life balance. Running your own business is not for everyone but for me, it’s been worth it.”
