Josie Natori is living the entrepreneurial dream
Fashion designer Josie Natori exemplifies the true American
entrepreneurial spirit. She was one of
the first female vice presidents of investment banking at Merrill Lynch when
she decided to make a change and start her eponymous fashion line. Here she tells the fascinating story of how
she started her business and the important life lessons she learned along the
way. In the afternoon session Josie
Natori will talk with Simmons professor Teresa Nelson on how she has turned her
business into a lifestyle brand.
How did you get
started in your career?
I had a very untraditional entrance into the fashion
industry. Throughout the 1970s my career on Wall Street was budding and I
had worked my way up the corporate ladder at Merrill Lynch, where I was named the
first female vice president of investment banking. I grew tired of my position and was ready to
take on a new challenge. My
entrepreneurial spirit led me to many new ventures, but none of them seemed to
stick. One afternoon I found myself
showing an embroidered blouse from the Philippines to a buyer at Bloomingdale's.
The buyer advised me to turn my blouse into a sleep shirt and that's where it
all began. Our sleepwear designs quickly broadened into lingerie followed
by multiple brands and markets. Then came our perfume, home accents collection,
towels, swim, ready-to-wear and the World of Natori began to develop.
What do you like most about your job?
I
love being able to create products that make women feel good. In my line of work it is so important to use
both my left and right brains and that is something I cherish. I love that nothing is ever the same and that
one can start with a blank canvas every season and create something new.
What's the best piece of career advice
you've gotten along the way?
Not
to be afraid to make mistakes and to take risks. My father, a self-made man,
passed on so many lifesaving lessons. Another is to always look at the
opportunities in times of crisis rather than looking at it as a tragedy.
Any tips for
work/life balance?
When
you love what you do, this is not so much an issue. However, I believe in
having space and down time. For me it is sleeping, having a massage and
shopping! And for sure being on the piano is my ultimate escape.
Was there a mentor who made a difference in
your career, and can you share his/her guidance?
My Lola Naga (grandmother). She was a very strong-willed
woman who taught be how to gain my independence. In the Filipino culture
women are encouraged to be entrepreneurs; my grandmother always said, "Don't
put yourself in a position where you have to depend on anyone."
Another
mentor was my piano professor, Madame Olga Stroumillo. She taught me that
everything in life connects in the same way, just like how every finger has to
connect playing the piano to make beautiful sounds.
Were there any turning points in your
career where you had to make a pivotal decision that changed the course of your
career? What did you learn from that experience?
The
major turning point in my career was when I decided to leave Wall Street in
search of a new challenge. I had a budding career in finance and had just
given birth to my son Kenneth but I decided to roll the dice and take a chance
on a new venture... I haven't looked back since!