Start-Up of the Week: UNVOGUE!
Jul 15th, 2008 by admin
In a recent post I mentioned that being an entrepreneur often means having to take great risks. Well here is another story of a brave individual willing to lay it all on the line – an entrepreneur who has stepped outside of the mainstream and created something very unique. There’s only one word to describe such a move… UNVOGUE! Here’s more from UNVOGUE’s founder and Editor-in-Chief, Tyson Perez:
Please tell us about your start-up UNVOGUE. What does it mean to be UNVOGUE? And how can one achieve this status?
TP: UNVOGUE is an interactive online fashion magazine which caters to a wide array of individuals across the globe. Although our core demographic is male/female teens and young adults, people of all ages can log on and find the magazine both relatable and entertaining. To be UNVOGUE is to be unconcerned with prevailing fashion or popularity. To be considered to be UNVOGUE is to be an individual who enjoys fashion for all of its creativity, beauty and humor. Someone who is UNVOGUE doesn’t stand for being dictated to by a magazine or anyone else for that matter, in order to be considered in style.
What have been some of your greatest challenges as an entrepreneur? How difficult it is to launch a new magazine?
TP: Some of the greatest challenges I’ve endured as an entrepreneur have been 1) Getting people to understand the concept of my magazine, until it was up and running and 2) raising capital to expand the magazine and keep it flourishing. I wouldn’t say it’s difficult to launch a magazine, but it definitely takes true passion, dedication, a supportive team and knowing what you want the magazine to represent.
Who are your target readers? Advertisers?
TP: Our target readers are middle-classed male/female teens and young adults (15-26 year olds), who prefer mixing luxury and mass-marketed items to create a stylish and personal look. Our reader is socially and economically conscious, while maintaining a sense of humor. We usually go after advertisers whom evoke a sense of positivity and fun throughout their brands, i.e. Mal Sirrah, Steve Madden, Marc by Marc Jacobs, etc.
Did you write a business plan? How did you fund the launch of your business?
TP: To be honest, we just recently put the finishing touches on our innovative business plan and are actively pursuing potential investors. Initially, we didn’t have one, as UNVOGUE was simply an idea I had and decided to put it into action. Though, I definitely recommend having a business plan for any start-up as it makes it much easier to present the company to potential investors. The launch of UNVOGUE was funded primarily through my personal bank account and volunteer work from people who truly believe in the magazine and what it represents.
What does the future hold for UNVOGUE?
TP: In the near future UNVOGUE plans to continue to provide innovative fashion, beauty and entertainment articles and pictorials. We also intend to launch an online boutique, daily blog and a new online component catering to music. UNVOGUE the magazine is just the beginning of what I envision for our brand’s future.
What advice can you give others looking to start their own businesses?
TP: The best advice I can give to someone starting their own business is to have a true passion and vision for what you are creating. Times will get tough, but know there is a brighter side to tough times and if you stick it out, you will get there.
If you had to start all over again, what are some things you would do differently?
TP: There isn’t much I’d do different, I am having the time of my life creating UNVOGUE and building a loyal brand following. I truly love what I do.
And it shows, Tyson! UNVOGUE is so… UNVOGUE! Congratulations on launching a truly inspiring brand…
