From Finance to Fashion: How One Woman Turned Her Passion Into a Six-Figure Side Hustle on Whatnot
Zoreen Kabani, a former financial analyst at Goldman Sachs and JPMorgan Chase, traded her suit for a livestreaming career, building a thriving fashion business on the live auction platform Whatnot. After feeling unfulfilled in her corporate career, Kabani took a leap of faith, quit her job, and dove headfirst into the world of online fashion sales. Her Whatnot page, ZKStyles, now generates six figures per month, proving that a passion for style can lead to surprising and successful career paths.
Key Takeaways:
- Finding your passion: Kabani’s journey highlights the importance of finding a career that fulfills you, even if it means taking a risk and trying something new.
- The power of consistency: Kabani’s success is rooted in her unwavering dedication to her business, livestreaming five days a week and developing a strong community with her viewers.
- Offering a unique value proposition: By focusing on styling advice and creating unique looks, Kabani differentiates herself from other sellers, attracting customers who seek more than just individual items.
- Accessibility through low pricing: Kabani’s strategy of starting low allows her to attract a wider customer base, make her inventory accessible to a broader audience, and leverage the magic of auctions to increase engagement and sales.
Building a Fashion Empire on Whatnot: ZKStyles’s Success Story
Kabani’s journey to success began with a deep-seated passion for fashion and a desire for more creative fulfillment. After spending years in the corporate world, she realized that her heart truly belonged in the world of style. She found her way to Whatnot, a live auction platform where users can buy and sell a variety of items, including clothing.
Kabani’s initial interest in Whatnot started with casual browsing. She was particularly drawn to the fashion section, intrigued by the platform’s fast-paced, dynamic, and engaging nature. It wasn’t long before she saw an opportunity to build a career around her passion.
ZKStyles: A Fashion Livestreaming Success
Kabani quickly established herself as a force to be reckoned with on Whatnot. Her page, ZKStyles, has become a favorite destination for fashion enthusiasts seeking stylish finds and expert styling advice. The platform’s live auction format allowed her to connect with customers instantly, creating a community of buyers eager for her carefully curated selections.
Kabani’s success on Whatnot is a testament to her commitment to consistency, customer engagement, and offering a unique value proposition.
Staying Consistent: The Key to Building an Audience
One of the key pillars of ZKStyles’s success is consistency. While many sellers stream only once or twice a week, Kabani has consistently streamed five days a week since June 2022. This unwavering dedication has paid off, allowing her to build a loyal following and establish a steady stream of potential buyers.
Delivering Value: More than Just Clothing
Kabani’s success is also rooted in her ability to offer her audience more than just clothes. While many sellers focus solely on selling specific brands, Kabani emphasizes styling advice. She presents clothing with an eye towards creating complete looks, offering suggestions for how to pair items and build unique outfits. Customers appreciate her expertise, seeking her advice and enjoying the interactive nature of her live streams.
Reaching a Wider Audience: Starting Low
Kabani’s pricing strategy is another critical factor in her success. She starts her auctions with low opening bids, aiming to make her inventory accessible to a broader audience. She actively uses the auction format to her advantage, recognizing that the competitive nature of live bidding can drive up sales prices. Her low starting prices attract more bidders, leading to increased engagement and ultimately, higher sales.
Lessons from ZKStyles: Tips for Success in the Livestreaming World
Kabani’s journey offers valuable lessons for anyone looking to leverage the power of livestreaming and build a successful online business. Here are some key takeaways:
- Find your niche: Identify a product or service that aligns with your passion and expertise. This will allow you to genuinely connect with your audience and create compelling content.
- Embrace consistency: Regular streaming will help you build an audience, increase brand awareness, and foster a sense of community.
- Offer a unique selling proposition: Develop a distinctive value proposition that sets you apart from the competition. What problem are you solving for your customers? What unique benefits do you offer?
- Start low, build excitement: Use low opening bids to attract a broader audience, drive engagement, and maximize the potential of the auction format.
- Engage with your audience: Interact with your viewers, answer questions, and build relationships. This will foster a sense of community and encourage customer loyalty.
The Future of Livestreaming: A New Frontier for Entrepreneurs
Kabani’s success story is a beacon of hope for entrepreneurs seeking to create a fulfilling career outside of traditional corporate paths. The rise of live commerce platforms like Whatnot has provided a new frontier for entrepreneurs, enabling them to capitalize on the power of community, engagement, and instant gratification.
As the world becomes increasingly digital and consumer preferences evolve, platforms like Whatnot offer a unique and exciting opportunity for those seeking to find their niche and build a successful business around their passions. ZkStyles’s journey proves that a little hard work, dedication, and a touch of creativity can lead to amazing opportunities in the ever-evolving world of online commerce.
