We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Clare Skinner. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Clare below.
Clare, thanks so much for taking the time to share your insights and lessons with us today. We’re particularly interested in hearing about how you became such a resilient person. Where do you get your resilience from?
How did you overcome or avoid burnout?
I faced burnout head-on by first acknowledging it and taking time to recharge. I started setting clear boundaries between work and personal life, which helped me avoid overworking. Delegating tasks allowed me to step back and focus on combining strategic aspects of the business with my creative pursuits. For example, We revamped our store’s look to make it more exciting and engaging, which reignited my passion. Regular check-ins mixed with a little fun were key in finding my balance as an entrepreneur.
How have you overcome creativity blocks
First, I take a break from my usual routine and explore new experiences, whether it’s visiting a different part of town or trying something new. This fresh perspective often sparks new ideas, as I find inspiration is everywhere.
What were the conditions that allowed you to develop your empathy?
We have customers from all over that we come across in our daily operations and I have naturally developed my empathy by diverse interactions with people, actively listening to their stories, and relating in some aspects just through them sharing a moment with us during their visit.
Where do you get your resilience from?
My resilience comes from learning from setbacks and using them as growth opportunities. Each failure provides insights into what didn’t work and helps me refine my strategies. It’s about staying adaptable, learning quickly, and finding ways to turn challenges into stepping stones for future success.
Where do you get your work ethic from?
My work ethic is driven by my love for fashion and a strong sense of individuality. I am passionate about providing unique and stylish pieces that make my customers feel special. The satisfaction I see on their faces motivates me to work tirelessly. I take pride in being part of the Las Vegas community and supporting other women. The challenges and rewards of running my own business push me to constantly learn, adapt, and improve. My dedication to quality pieces and customer service is at the heart of everything I do, and it’s what keeps me going every day.
How did you develop your confidence and self esteem?
I developed my confidence and self-esteem through authentic self expression and gaining expertise in the industry. Overcoming challenges and receiving positive feedback from customers boosted my belief in myself. I believe that continuous learning and a strong support system of family and friends have been crucial in my success. By setting and achieving goals gave me a sense of accomplishment, and practicing self-care helped maintain a positive mindset.
How did you overcome imposter syndrome?
I like to reflect on my achievements to help remind me of my capabilities, while also practicing positive self-talk and accepting imperfection as it really has reduced the feeling of imposter syndrome from creeping in.
How did you develop your ability to communicate effectively?
I make sure to be clear and concise when communicating , adapt to different situations, and build genuine relationships. This has helped me connect better with everyone and drive my business forward.
How did you develop your decision making skills?
I developed my decision-making skills by learning from my experiences, and really try to weigh the pros and cons thoughtfully and most importantly trust my gut. Because by having immense faith in Mahruyeh’s brand while also staying flexible, it allows for us to attract opportunity and adapt as needed when presented with decisions.
How do you keep your creativity alive?
To keep my creativity alive, I prioritize activities that truly inspire me, with traveling with my family being a major one. Exploring new places exposes me to different cultures, landscapes, and ways of life, which sparks fresh ideas and perspectives. This is how we landed on the idea to come to Las Vegas, during a family trip. Whether it’s wandering through bustling city streets, relaxing in serene natural settings, or immersing myself in local traditions, each experience adds a new layer to my creative thinking. The change of scenery and the stories I gather from these travels often lead to unexpected bursts of inspiration and innovative ideas.
How did you develop your ability to take risks?
I developed my ability to take risks by diving right in and pushing my boundaries. I started by taking small risks and learned from each one, building up my confidence. I didn’t shy away from uncertainty; instead, I faced it head-on and embraced it as part of the growth process.
Where does your optimism come from?
My optimism comes from trying to see the bright side of things and believing that even tough situations can lead to something good. I find that surrounding myself with positive, supportive people really boosts my outlook. Celebrating the little wins and focusing on progress helps me stay motivated and hopeful in every circumstance.
How did you find your purpose?
I found my purpose by blending my love for all things beauty and fashion-related with my knack for entrepreneurship. I started by exploring what I enjoyed most about women’s fashion —whether it was the creativity, the impact, or the joy it brings—and then looked for ways to incorporate that into a business setting. As I experimented with different ideas, I realized how fulfilling it was to combine these interests. It felt like the perfect fit, giving me both a clear direction and a deep sense of purpose.
How do you persist despite the haters and nay-sayers?
I remind myself of the positive support I’ve received and the progress I’ve made. I try to take any criticism that’s helpful and use it to grow, but I don’t let negativity hold me back. Believing in my vision and staying true to myself helps me push through.
Where does your self discipline come from?
My self-discipline is deeply rooted in my passion for my business and the vision I have for its success. I genuinely love what I do, and that excitement fuels my drive to stay focused and organized. On days when things get tough, I remind myself of why I started this journey and how far I’ve come. That keeps me motivated and determined to push through obstacles. Knowing that my hard work directly impacts the growth and success of my business gives me a sense of purpose and commitment. It’s like a constant reminder that staying disciplined is key to turning my dreams into reality.
Spending quality time with my family is a big part of my self-care routine. Whether it’s rewarding myself by indulging in macaroon’s with my daughter Persia or relaxing at home on the sofa watching tv, these moments help me unwind and reconnect with what matters most.The impact on my effectiveness has been significant. By taking care of myself, I’m able to stay focused, make clearer decisions, and handle challenges more effectively. It’s amazing how much more productive and motivated I feel when I’m well-rested and mentally refreshed. Self-care isn’t just a luxury; it’s essential for maintaining the energy and enthusiasm needed to run a successful brand.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
Mahruyeh is a veteran owned family business.
When we (myself and Richard, my husband) met in 2012 in the UK we realized that we both shared an interest in Persian art and culture.
We were fascinated to learn the impact that women had on Persian society.
Mahruyeh in particular was the name of a warrior princess that ruled Persia and its armies centuries ago. As well as ruling the Persian army this beautiful queen ruled the entire country of Persia.
Well this led to us naming our beautiful little girl Persia Mahruyeh as we wanted her name to be a symbol of strength as well as beauty, and of course we felt only fitting we name our business Mahruyeh as it encompasses everything we strive for in all our products. Beautiful high quality textures with an addictive indulgent feeling against your skin.
The Persians are known for their intricately inlaid artwork as well as for their legacy of extraordinary architecture. Finely decorated and feminine, yet strong and long lasting. We have taken everything that is symbolic about the beautiful culture that is Persia, and interwoven it into our beautiful brand.
Aptly, Mahruyeh means “ Beautiful Face” in Persian.
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
I really believe the absolute best advice I could give someone in the early stages of business, whether its dipping their toe in to test the water….or for those who took the plunge is your customer service needs to be absolutely flawless each and every single time. There is competition everywhere you look and customers are spoilt for choice and they WILL choose WHO to buy from. You have to be the one who has their loyalty each and every time.
Before we go, maybe you can tell us a bit about your parents and what you feel was the most impactful thing they did for you?
They taught me that the only limits we have are the ones we put on ourselves. Its proved true. Our business has gone from a 10×10 booth at a fleamarket to the Las Vegas Strip in the famous Fashion Show Mall in just 6 years.
I have attached our interview below from the news company’s that interview ed us. The question everyone always asks is why am I never on the interview! Its simply because as a mixed couple we have discovered that it can and has been detrimental to our business.
Its hurtful and disappointing BUT it simply fuels our drive to continue pushing forwards. We have learned how to play the game!
Here is the link for the interview which tells more of our journey.
https://www.news4jax.com/news/local/2024/06/20/from-a-jacksonville-flea-market-to-the-vegas-strip-retired-veteran-turns-small-business-into-upscale-fashion-store/
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.mahruyeh.com
- Instagram: Mahruyeh_
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61552111825802&mibextid=ZbWKwL
Image Credits
Clare Skinner
Persia Mahruyeh Clark (face of Mahruyeh)
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
