Startup Highlight —ASIYA
- What’s the meaning behind your company’s name/brand?
The name ASIYA was chosen by a gym full of East African girls. They picked the name because there is a well-known historic Muslim woman whose legacy is being a woman of courage, who stood up against injustice. And they thought the mission of our venture aligned with that mentality.
2. What’s great about starting something in the Minnesota region?
Launching ASIYA in Minnesota has been great because of the wealth of expertise in so many areas of business. We have had the great fortune of connecting with mentors at Target, where we’ve learned about apparel manufacturing, successful business women who have scaled their own businesses, and were even able to do our first round of manufacturing in Baxter, MN. We have benefited from the many startup resources such as the Carlson School of Business, MN Cup, and Lunar Startups.
3. What’s challenging about starting something in the Minnesota region?
As an apparel business, we wish there were more contract cut-and-sew manufacturing options in Minnesota. It’s our dream to employ amazing Muslim women in Minnesota to do end-to-end production in the future!
4. What fuels you and your company?
Coffee. And the excitement we hear from girls, coaches and athletic programs when they receive their first sports hijab!
5. What stage are you at with your business?
We launched our business in 2017, so now going into our 3rd year of business we are expanding on what we’ve learned has worked and put our focus on that growth.
6. How can the community support your work?
The community can help us increase awareness of the issue — Muslim girls participate in sports half as much as their peers. Schools and youth sports organizations can take a more active role in creating inclusive programs that welcome more Muslim girls to participate. Please talk to your community school about how they can be a part of this change!
7. Anything else you’d like to add?
We launched a swim hijab earlier this year! It’s a great option for girls or women looking to swim recreationally or competitively. Spread the word :)
