Ramy Sharp on launching Ramy Brook to fill a void in the marketplace, and what inspired her to take the leap

Ramy Sharp_Blog Header

Describe Ramy Brook in a few words?

Happy, Sexy and Strong! Ramy Brook is female owned and operated, stemming from one woman’s dream to uplift, empower and celebrate women. The apparel, accessories and swimwear collections transcend generational dressing, offering something for anyone looking for a vibrant and celebrational style. My vision is for women who wear Ramy Brook to feel beautiful and confident, knowing they are sexy, wearing something special, and looking their absolute best!

What made you take the leap to start your own business?

Ramy Brook started in 2010 when I couldn’t find the perfect, sexy top to wear with my collection of jeans and jewelry. I was looking for high-end designer quality at a contemporary price point – so I decided to learn how to make my own! I knew that if I felt this void in the marketplace, other women did as well. We launched Ramy Brook out of my Upper East Side apartment with six tops and one sexy dress. Flash forward to today, we are a full-blown collection offering tops, bottoms, dresses, knits, denim, outerwear, swimwear, cover-ups, accessories and fragrance. My story is a great example of listening to your gut, taking a chance, and believing in yourself.

What was your background prior to starting your own business?

I began my career working in advertising, which I loved! It was a very young, vibrant industry and incredibly social. Most of my days were spent meeting with magazines who were seeking our advertising dollars. I learned quite a bit about all the different publications and met tons of great people.I was able to really hone my people skills, which is something that I have taken with me throughout all my professional experiences.

What is the biggest lesson you have learned in 2020?

As a business, we’ve learned to adapt. During the start of covid, we had to pivot and make choices about how to work and keep everything upbeat, positive, and rolling. That was a good lesson for everyone—figuring out how to overcome different challenges. I have an amazing team. I realized that before, but now I see exactly how dedicated and hardworking everyone is. We all have the same goal, and that’s growing the Ramy Brook brand. What was also nice for us was having the extra time to spend with the kids. We went back to basics, enjoying things like family dinners and game night. Before, life would have us so busy, and everyone was running in so many directions. It was nice to take a step back and enjoy those moments.

What do you know now that you wish you knew when you were first starting your business?

Things change! In the beginning, it was discouraging when things didn’t work out. Buyers passed on the collection, deliveries were late, etc. But I came to realize nothing is permanent and with hard work and determination and a bit of time things work out!

What’s something our audience would be surprised to learn about you?

  • I used to play a lot of Mah Jongg.
  • I grew up in NJ.
  • My favorite store is TJ Maxx. 
  • I’m not a real blonde 🤷‍♀️

What are your top 3 tips to stay productive each day?

  • Set your alarm to wake up early, it feels good to have the entire day in front of you. 
  • Exercise in the morning. 
  • Keep your phone fully charged! Nothing worse than realizing you have an important call and you have no battery power.

Share it!

Posted in
Tags

Leave a Comment





Joanie French On Her Business That Creates Unforgettable Experiences Through Nature

Hi, Joanie! Please share a brief introduction about yourself and your business: Hey there! I’m Joanie, the creative mind behind Harmony Escape Experiences. Based in Winnipeg, Manitoba, I’m passionate about crafting unforgettable moments through personalized events. As an Office Administrator by day and an aspiring entrepreneur always, I’m on a mission to create harmonious and…

U.S. Navy Vet Natasha Norris On Her Chemical-Free Skincare

Hi, Natasha! Please share a brief introduction about yourself and your business: I’m Natasha Norris, Owner of Skincare by CMG. Last year I retired after 26 years of public service, proudly serving in the U.S. Navy. I started in the beauty industry in 2013 with a multibillion-dollar cosmetics brand, based in Dallas, Texas. The discipline,…

Demystifying the Health Insurance Industry with Dr. Noor Ali

“Show up dressed as your next level self. So, whoever that ‘her’ is that you’re projecting—whether that’s five years or 10 years—show up as her. Embodying her, not just dressed as her… Proving to yourself like, ‘Hey, I just did it 10 years before I thought that I could do it.’” When Dr. Noor Ali…

Reinventing Yourself and Your Business With Lori Harder

“Expose all of the elephants in the room. We just try to hide them… We’re trying to throw our skirt up over the elephant… I have gone into everything. It’s been a superpower. I’m like, ‘Here’s the elephant. Here’s the elephant. Here’s the elephant. Yes, I’m new at this. Yes, you might be afraid of…

Stephanie Purzycki Combines Design Services With Her Innovative Offering

Hi, Stephanie! Please share a brief introduction about yourself and your business: I’m Stephanie Purzycki, the Founder and Creative Principal of The Finish, a unique offering that provides the services of a professional interior designer, one hour at a time. At The Finish, we combine traditional design services with e-design—unlike traditional design services, there are…

Born Entrepreneur Viri Maldonado On Her Booming PR Agency

Hi, Viri! Please share a brief introduction about yourself and your business: Hi, My name is Viri Maldonado, founder of Social Click PR, from Houston, TX. I am a first-generation Mexican-American. Both of my parents immigrated to the United States from Mexico in search of a better life. I like to say that I am…

How to Legally Protect Your Business with Lauren Bercuson

“In the beginning, if you don’t have a team or a system or community around you, it’s very easy to feel lost. There are these amazing communities out there for amazing female founders that will really help guide and support you. So, the greatest lesson I learned pretty quickly was that you’re never alone. Or,…

Innovating Clean Hair Care with Nadine Ramos

“It’s not just about selling your products anymore. You need to know how your products work, you need to know what you’re putting out there, and you need to be the expert at it so that you can educate your consumer. That also builds trust, so it’s like, ‘Okay, she did the work. She has…

Nina Smith Fights Period Stigmas With Fri Period Sustainable Underwear

Hi, Nina! Please share a brief introduction about yourself and your business: Hi! I’m Nina Smith. I started Fri Period because I’m on a mission to make periods better—for our customers, for our planet, and for those who can’t afford to be our customers. We offer a range of sustainable period underwear made in the…

Marketing Guru Debbie Oster On Her Inspirational Career Journey

Hi, Debbie! Please share a brief introduction about yourself and your business: Hi, I’m Debbie! With over 12 years of marketing experience, I have developed a deep understanding of how to create and execute effective marketing strategies that drive business growth. As a co-founder and the Chief Marketing Officer at Entrepreneur’s Edge, I help small…

Formulating Beauty Business Success with Emilie Mascarell

“It’s a crowded space. It’s expensive. It takes time. And not everybody is an overnight success. So, I think it’s important to know how to play with the rules of the game and how to set yourself in a way that is really going to differentiate you and… is going to serve you. I want…

Redefining the Culinary Industry with Aishwarya Iyer

“Nothing lasts forever, we’re all gonna die. It’s all very short. So, having that perspective kind of makes you say, ‘We’re not around for that long, we probably should make the most of it and be happy.’” In this episode of Entreprenista, we sat down with Aishwarya Iyer, founder and CEO of Brightland, a stylish…

Celebrating Our Founders For International Women’s Day

On March 8, 1857, in New York City, female textile workers marched in protest of unfair working conditions and unequal rights for women. Calling for shorter workdays and fair wages, this was one of the first organized strikes by working women. Also on this date in 1908, women workers in the needle trades marched through…

Superstar Michelle Cooper Speaks About Her Financial Mentorship Business

Hi, Michelle! Please share a brief introduction about yourself and your business: I’m Michelle Cooper, a Business Mentor, Author, Podcast Host, and International Speaker. What began as a journey of self-awareness and healing has boomed into over a million-dollar business empire with a mission to shift the trajectory of wealth, one entrepreneur at a time.…

Noor Ali Shares About her Healthcare Insurance Consulting Practice

Hi Noor! Please share a brief introduction about yourself and your business: I’m Dr. Noor Ali, I’m a Bangladeshi-American medical doctor turned health insurance expert from NYC. I currently run my own health insurance consulting practice, Dr. Noor Ali Healthcare Advisor, out of Tampa, Florida, offering a healthcare insurance strategy to female founders all over…