We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Sydney Coffey. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Sydney below.
Sydney, looking forward to learning from your journey. You’ve got an amazing story and before we dive into that, let’s start with an important building block. Where do you get your work ethic from?
My unwavering work ethic is deeply rooted in my background in sports, particularly within a family that held a strong passion for basketball. From an early age, playing sports instilled in me invaluable skills that extend beyond the court – skills such as teamwork, discipline, goal-setting, leadership, and an unyielding work ethic. Growing older, I’ve come to realize that the trajectory of my life is tied to the diligence I invest in my endeavors. Continuously evaluating areas for improvement and strategizing on how to enhance my abilities has become second nature.
In a world where others may possess greater intelligence, strength, or talent, I deliberately work hard to be the most committed and dedicated in the areas I’m focused on mastering. Work ethic is the crucial factor determining the outcome of one’s life and accomplishments. I owe a ton of gratitude to my parents for instilling this principle in me, particularly my father, who pushed us rigorously in both sports and academics. Late night and early morning training sessions at the gym were not optional, and though challenging in the moment, they molded me into a more resilient individual.
Reflecting on my upbringing, a quote by H. Jackson Brown, Jr. has always stuck with me: “The best preparation for tomorrow is doing your best today.” This quote serves as a constant reminder as I navigate the challenges of growing my tall women’s clothing business, Morlé. Every decision and action in the early stages of my business is a building block toward realizing the vision and goals I’ve set for the brand. Work ethic, unlike inherent talent or intelligence, is a choice. Consequently, the intensity of my effort today directly influences the success of Morlé tomorrow. This realization fuels my drive, particularly in addressing the unmet needs of tall women in an industry that often overlooks them. Closing the gap for tall women is a mission I am passionately committed to, and I am confident that my relentless work ethic will be the driving force propelling Morlé to success.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
Growing up tall, finding clothes that fit has always been an ongoing challenge for me. This challenge was especially frustrating because I love fashion and I loved putting cute outfits together. As a little girl, playing dress-up was my cherished pastime, and the thrill of piecing together outfits continues to evoke the same feeling in me today. It truly lights up my soul!
Yet, the constraints of being tall have always limited my access to a diverse wardrobe. This challenge inspired the creation of Morlé. A brand dedicated to tall women, Morlé aspires to curate a collection of on-trend, high-quality pieces that empower fashion-forward women to fully express themselves.
Having been surrounded by a community of tall women through my experiences in sports, I recognized the void in the fashion industry catering to this demographic. We shared a common struggle in finding clothing that not only complemented our proportions but also embodied style. My deep seated love for clothing led me to pursue a degree in fashion merchandising and business during college. After a period in professional basketball and then venturing into the fashion industry, Morlé was established.
The most thrilling aspect of launching Morlé has been the amazing response from the tall girl community. Acknowledging the limited choices available for tall women, I am committed to providing solutions. Confidence is a universal challenge for many tall women globally and its intensified by the fashion industry neglecting their distinct needs. Understanding that looking good translates to feeling good, I am enthusiastic about fostering confidence in tall women through well-fitted, inclusive clothing.
Morlé aims to be a sanctuary for tall women, assuring them that every garment is meticulously crafted with their specific needs in mind. Nothing brings me more fulfillment than receiving messages from customers expressing gratitude for the newfound confidence Morlé has provided for them. Through this brand, my mission is clear – to ensure that tall women feel seen, heard, and empowered, finding solace and style in their shopping experiences with us. Morlé is not just a fashion brand; it’s a symbol of inclusivity and self-assurance for tall women worldwide.
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?
Reflecting on my journey, three qualities or skills have significantly shaped my path: discipline, embracing failure, and the relentless pursuit of bringing my vision to life.
For those starting their journey, enhancing discipline involves setting achievable daily goals, such as making the bed, doing a set number of push-ups, or reading a specified portion of a book. After a while consistency turns these tasks into habits, highlighting the power of discipline. I’ll be honest, being disciplined is not easy which is why not many people have this skill but the ones who do are the successful ones. You must have the will power to make the choice of following through what you have set out to do. It’s that simple. Make the choice to follow through, whether you do or don’t will determine where you end up in your life. Discipline sets apart the good from the great.
Acknowledging failure wasn’t a trait I initially valued, but reflecting on my journey, I must admit it played a crucial role in my current position. While I’m not where I aspire to be, I’ve come a long way from a year ago, thanks to the numerous setbacks I encountered. I won’t sit here and say I enjoy failing, as it’s not a very fun experience. However, I recognize the invaluable lessons that come with failure. Anticipating future setbacks, I know I’ll learn from them and likely avoid repeating the same mistakes. Rather than being overly critical of myself during failures, I now focus on understanding why they occurred, seeking solutions, and doing my best to make sure it doesn’t happen again. This shift in perspective has significantly impacted my journey, especially for my mental well-being. Early on, facing failures is inevitable, but embracing them and turning them into valuable lessons will undoubtedly enhance your journey.
The last and most important quality is the relentless and unwavering pursuit of bringing your vision or dream to life. Without this dedication, your vision or dream is dead. Thinking about my final days on this earth, I want to avoid the haunting question of ‘what if.’ What if I had pursued that vision or gone after my dream? To those in the early stages of their journey or those who have been on the path for a while, my advice is simple: don’t give up. Numerous times, I contemplated abandoning Morlé due to countless obstacles and financial setbacks. It would have been the easiest choice, but by persisting and rising after each setback, I have met some amazing people and have capitalized on numerous opportunities. Take it one day at a time, consistently show up for yourself, and even if your vision or dream doesn’t materialize, you can proudly say you gave it your all and left nothing on the court. By steering clear of the haunting ‘what if’ scenario, I’ve grown to believe that regret weighs heavier than failure. So, keep pushing forward, even when the urge to quit emerges.
What was the most impactful thing your parents did for you?
I briefly mentioned this earlier, but my parents have instilled certain values into my siblings and I, such as a strong work ethic, discipline, and self-belief. Among these, the most impactful has been their unwavering support for our dreams. From a young age, I knew I wanted to pursue something in the realm of fashion, though the specific path was unclear at that time. When I expressed my desire to study fashion in college, both of my parents wholeheartedly backed my decision. Initially, I assumed it was normal for parents to support their children’s aspirations, but as I matured, I realized this wasn’t universally true. This deepened my appreciation for my parents.
Had they discouraged me from pursuing my dream of starting a brand, I likely wouldn’t have taken that leap. Their support and encouragement played a huge role in shaping where I am today. I feel incredibly blessed to have parents who instilled in me an entrepreneurial spirit and the understanding that achieving goals requires dedicated work and it wont be easy. They consistently emphasized the importance of self-belief and encouraged me to persevere against any obstacles, even if they were the ones standing in the way of my dreams. Having parents who genuinely support and uplift you is a life-changing experience. They’ve been my anchors during low moments, providing encouragement and motivation during challenging times. The sacrifices they’ve made for us have been significant, and I owe much of my current success to their unwavering support.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.morlecollection.com
- Instagram: @morlecollection
Image Credits
vivi carrasco