Nikki Irizarry on Launching Zimmi Fit: Offering Nothing but Best Quality and Top Comfort
March 13, 2023
Hi Nikki! Please share a brief introduction about yourself and your business:
Zimmi Fit is a female-owned activewear shop that gets satisfaction from supporting women to feel their most confident in comfortable quality fitness wear. Zimmi Fit wants to be a supportive resource on every women’s fitness journey, no matter the stage of the journey. Zimmi Fit offers nothing but best quality and top comfort, which allows Zimmi Fit to become the trusted partner that women seek on their journey on becoming their best version of themselves.
So Nikki, what excites you about being an Entreprenista League member?
I feel so blessed to find a group of like-minded, female entrepreneurs. There is so much that is offered with this membership and I am enjoying exploring my way through it.
What made you take the leap to start your own quality fitness wear line: Zimmi Fit ?
I have an awesome corporate job. Even with all that it offers, I struggle with building someone else's business. I have always been drawn to build and grow my own and I am finally brave enough to do it.
Did you have experience within apparel prior to starting your own business?
I have been a real estate broker for over 17 years. My real estate career has moved me into a corporate management position that manages a realtor network. I have a passion and obsession for fitness and fitness apparel since I was a teenager and feel it is time to transition into my own fitness line.
So Nikki, did you always know you wanted to be an entrepreneur?
I cannot remember not knowing I am an entrepreneur.
When launching a new business, spreading the word is one of the keys to success. How did you go about you initial marketing strategy?
I always knew social awareness is key, so I immediately focused on creating our presence online.
Entreprenistas conquer challenges every single day. What is the biggest challenge you have encountered along the way and what did you learn from it?
Feeling invisible! I understand the internet is a big world, and now understand I can't conquer it all so I will focus only on the space that is relevant with my potential customer. When you are focused on the space relevant to you, you will matter.
What is the accomplishment you are the most proud of to date?
Starting my business!
Do you believe in work/life balance? What are some of your best tips?
Work/life balance is essential. Just because we own our businesses does not mean we have to be connected all waking hours. We have to disconnect at times and rest, socialize and exercise.
What's a piece of advice you can share that you wish you'd known when you first started your Entreprenista journey?
You will always need coaching. If we get out of our own way and ask for help, coaching can help you achieve your goals more directly. We tend to try to do it on our own and that is the more difficult route.
What's next for Zimmi Fit? What can we expect to see over the next few years?
Branching into our own label and growing the product line from there.