More on KentOnline
More on KentOnline
A mum-of-three who quit her job to start her own fashion businesses with just a £100 investment now has a turnover of £250,000 and is a favourite with celebrities.
Zalihe Mehmet-Emin, 32, who lives in Gravesend, runs swimwear company Envy Label, worn by Towie star Lauren Pope and Love Islander Dani Dyer.
Zalihe started in 2014, selling bikinis on eBay to earn some income while working for Ofsted.
But then her first child Ella was born prematurely at 34 weeks and Zalihe decided to give up work.
She said: “I felt that she needed me and I couldn’t leave her. I decided to make a website by myself without any help. I had no idea what I was doing or what I was getting into.
“I was selling products dead cheap and with a lot of celebrity endorsement the brand just took.”
At the start, Zalihe was living with her mum and as her business grew, Envy Label’s stock began to take over her mother’s house.
She got her big break after contacting Lauren Pope who she was desperate to work with. She admitted emailing her agent constantly, asking for a chance.
Lauren gave Zalihe the boost she needed by sharing Envy’s swimwear on social media. The business went from five orders a day to more than 20.
Envy Label then began working with other celebrities including former Love Islanders Georgia Steel and Olivia Buckland, as well as Towie’s Amber Turner and Danielle Armstrong, and Isobel Mills from Ibiza Weekender. The company also has a plus-size collection, working with Love Islander Malin Andersson.
She now employs admin staff, designs her own items and has launched a new clothing line.
With three children - Ella and twin boys Atlas and Deniz - as well as suffering from endometriosis, Zalihe said things had been difficult: “There have been times when I answered emails while awaiting my turn to go into surgery.
“Envy Label is my everything, I have built it from nothing and I’m determined to make it a success.”
It’s very hard as I work 24/7 and this often affects family time with my children.
But I remind myself it’s for their future.”
Zalihe said: “I’m a big supporter of mental healthcare and want to work with women who are suffering by giving them something positive to look forward to in life! Don’t give up!
“There has been so many lows for us and days I cried and wanted to just pack it in. But, keep going! Don’t let any negativity stop you. Keep getting better and better. Support each other!”
You can find Envy Label and Zalihe on Instagram @Envylabel_ and @mummy_loves_ella or click here.
