Zoreen Kabani, a 37-year-old based in Las Vegas, has managed to turn her passion for fashion into a lucrative career. Coming from a background in finance, Kabani spent nearly a decade working in traditional career paths at prestigious institutions such as Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan Chase. However, despite her success in the financial industry, she found herself feeling unfulfilled and yearning for something more creative.
In early 2022, Kabani made the bold decision to leave her finance job and pursue her passion for fashion. It was during this time of self-discovery that she stumbled upon Whatnot, a live auction site where users can livestream auctions of various items, from comics to electronics. Intrigued by the platform, Kabani decided to give it a try and started livestreaming thrifted clothing auctions on the site under her page, ZKStyles.
What started as a creative outlet soon turned into a thriving business for Kabani. By June 2022, she had built a loyal following on Whatnot, and her monthly earnings began to surpass the $100,000 mark by October 2023. So, what is the key to Kabani’s success, and how can aspiring entrepreneurs replicate her achievements? Here are some insights from the fashion maven herself.
Consistency is Key
One of the factors that set Kabani apart from other sellers on Whatnot is her unwavering commitment to consistency. While many sellers streamed auctions up to twice a week, Kabani took a different approach by hosting streams every weekday. This consistent schedule allowed her to build a strong relationship with her audience and provided her with more opportunities to showcase and sell her items.
“I think one of the reasons I’ve been so successful on the app is because I have showed up every single day for quite some time,” Kabani shared. This dedication to consistency not only helped her attract more buyers but also established her as a reliable and trustworthy seller within the Whatnot community.
Offer Something Unique
In a sea of clothing sellers, Kabani stands out by offering more than just individual pieces of clothing. Instead of focusing solely on specific brands, she curates outfits and provides styling advice to her customers. By showcasing how different pieces can be styled together, Kabani adds value to her offerings and creates a more personalized shopping experience for her audience.
“I think shoppers come to me for style advice and aesthetic, not just for the items I show,” Kabani explained. This unique approach has allowed her to build a loyal customer base who value her expertise and trust her fashion sense when making purchasing decisions.
Start with Low Pricing
When it comes to pricing, Kabani advises sellers to start low, especially when first starting out on a platform like Whatnot. By setting initial prices at a lower range, sellers can gauge customer behavior and understand the market demand for their products. This approach not only helps sellers determine the optimal pricing strategy for their items but also makes their inventory more accessible to a wider audience.
“Starting low lets you see how your customers function and what you’re likely to sell different items for down the line,” Kabani noted. Even after two years in the business, she continues to offer items at affordable starting prices, such as starting auctions at $1 for certain pieces. This pricing strategy allows customers to participate in auctions without breaking the bank and makes high-quality fashion more attainable for a broader range of shoppers.
In conclusion, Zoreen Kabani’s journey from finance professional to successful fashion entrepreneur serves as an inspiring example of following one’s passion and turning it into a profitable business. By prioritizing consistency, offering unique value, and starting with low pricing, Kabani has carved out a niche for herself in the competitive world of online fashion retail. Aspiring entrepreneurs can learn valuable lessons from Kabani’s story and apply her strategies to their own ventures to achieve success in the ever-evolving landscape of e-commerce.