Starting a business isn’t easy, but two best friends turned their side hustle into a seven-figure fashion brand in just a few years.
Here’s how Amelie Teje, an Australian fashion brand, grew from a $2,500 investment to over $500,000 in revenue and continued to climb.
The Dream Begins: A Little Hustle and Big Dreams
Paris Emily Nicholson and Saskia Teje Jenkins didn’t have a fancy office or millions of dollars when they launched their fashion brand in 2020.
They started with just $2,500 each and a shared love for fashion. Paris, a marketing grad and freelance digital marketer, and Saskia, a fashion model traveling the world, decided to team up and create something special.
The two sat down one day and brainstormed the idea for Amelie Teje.
They worked on it even during the pandemic when they were both grounded.
Turning Ideas Into Reality
After coming up with the name “Amelie Teje” (a mix of their middle names), the friends got to work.
They designed a logo, chose a vision for their brand, and found manufacturers that could bring their ideas to life.
They also focused on saving as much money as possible to put into their first collection.
The hard work paid off when they officially launched the brand in early 2021.
Challenges Along the Way: The Struggles That Helped Them Grow
Like any business, Amelie Teje faced challenges. Paris struggled with balancing her side jobs while investing everything into the brand.
She had to work long nights and weekends, sacrificing social time with friends.
Saskia faced a similar challenge, juggling her modeling career with the growing demands of the business.
It wasn’t easy, but they were determined to make it work.
Slow Start, Big Rewards
The first couple of years were tough. They didn’t make much money at first, and it was discouraging.
But they kept going, learning from their mistakes and pushing forward. After two years, things finally took off.
Their revenue reached $549,993.32, and they saw consistent growth from there. By October 2024, their business had exploded, with sales growing by 1,318% from the previous year.
They were now running a multimillion-dollar brand—something they never imagined possible.
What Makes Amelie Teje Special?
What’s the best part of running their business? For Paris, it’s working alongside her best friend every day, sharing the same vision, and creating pieces that make people feel confident.
Saskia agrees, saying it’s incredible to travel and work with people they love, making their dream a reality.
The passion they have for the business is what keeps them going even when things get tough.
Advice for Future Entrepreneurs: Never Give Up!
Paris and Saskia have learned a lot during their journey, and they’re full of advice for anyone starting their own business.
“Never give up,” Paris says. “Even when it feels hard, keep pushing.
An inch of progress is better than a mile of intentions.” Saskia adds, “There will be times you feel like quitting, but if you truly believe in your business, you won’t give up.
Learn from mistakes and keep going.”
Conclusion: Hard Work Pays Off, Big Time
The journey to building a successful business is never easy, but Paris and Saskia’s story proves that with passion, hard work, and a little bit of hustle, anything is possible.
They went from side hustle dreamers to multimillion-dollar business owners—and they wouldn’t change a thing.
If you’re thinking of starting your own business, take their advice to heart: Stay focused, work hard, and never stop believing in your dreams!
Side Hustle to Seven Figures: The Amelie Teje Story is an inspiring reminder that with dedication and teamwork, you can turn your small idea into something huge!