Yasmine Jean

I attribute my success to understanding that nothing is really handed to you - you kind of have to chase your dreams. I've learned that you need to work hard for what you want and actively pursue your goals rather than waiting for opportunities to come to you. This mindset has driven me throughout my career, from fashion school through building my own brand and working in recruitment. I believe in putting in the effort and taking initiative to make things happen.

The best career guidance I've received has come from my mother, who has been my biggest inspiration and support system. My mother is an immigrant from Haiti who migrated here in the 80s, and she worked incredibly hard to give me and my family the life we have today. Watching her resilience, work ethic, and dedication has shaped how I approach my own career. She showed me what it means to persevere and build something meaningful through hard work and determination. Her example has been invaluable in guiding my journey through both the fashion industry and my work in talent acquisition.

My advice to young women looking to start their own business or enter this industry is don't be afraid to pivot. Always believe in yourself and trust yourself throughout the journey. Know that things will happen in their own time and in alignment - you can't force the timing, but you can keep showing up and doing the work. It's important to stay true to your vision while remaining flexible enough to adapt when needed. Trust the process and have faith that if you stay committed to your goals and believe in your abilities, everything will fall into place when it's meant to.

The values that are most important to me are integrity, respect, and resilience. These three principles guide everything I do, both in my professional work as a recruiter and fashion brand founder, and in my personal life. Integrity means being honest and transparent in all my dealings. Respect is about how I treat others and how I expect to be treated. And resilience is what keeps me going - the ability to persevere through challenges and keep pushing forward toward my goals. Outside of work, I'm focused on self-discovery and taking time to pour into myself, ensuring that I focus on fulfilling my own needs. I also believe in always having something to look forward to in life, whether that's shopping, traveling, or other experiences that bring joy and keep me motivated.