Student Entrepreneurs
Jasmin Picariello '16
Majors: International Business and Chinese
Here business while in college:
CEO, Feltro Fashion
Description of your business:
Feltro Fashion is a growing business that works with the techniques of Wet-felting and Shibori. With these techniques we create clothing, accessories and home decor. Our products are all hand-made, unique and one-of-a-kind. The material used all are 100% natural and of the highest quality. We have a showroom in Pittsford where we meet with our clients by appointment and also have some of our products in high-end boutiques in the Rochester area.
Why did you start your business?
I was in the Young Entrepreneurs academy class in high school and my idea for a business was Feltro Fashion. The concept of felting was not known as in Italy, so I wanted to expose the Rochester community to the product. Even after the class I was so passionate about the idea I continued working on the business, as I plan on doing in the future.
What made you believe that you could be an entrepreneur?
My determination and ideas. I didn't have many supporters for my business concept, other than my parents of course (who turns out followed me for love but also weren't very convinced), but I had a feeling and kept going. Now it's becoming very successful year after year and my parents ended up working with me in Feltro Fashion.
What was the biggest challenge(s) starting the business?
When I started the business, I was an exchange student and my felting products all came from Italy. I didn't have direct access to them therefore I had a lot of shipping to take care of. Moreover, being 16 years old didn't give me the credibility I would have liked in certain occasions.
What advice would you give to someone who is thinking of starting a business?
Following your "gut feeling." If you know your idea is going to work, give it a try even if the people around you don't believe it.
What do you know now that you wish you knew when you started?
The importance of networking!
Update 2019:
She now owns the Giulia Letzi brand.
