May 3, 2017
MSU media and information sophomore Amir Butler started her first business, Soreem, when she was a freshman and has continued to grow her clothing brand with the help of resources at Michigan State University.
Soreem is defined as “carefree,” which is something she wanted her company to represent.
“I wanted it to be carefree, whether it was about your dreams or fashion sense,” says Butler. “To not really worry about what other people think of you.”
Butler always knew she wanted to start a clothing line, but she just didn’t know where to start. Not long after she got Soreem under her belt, she found out about the Hatch, which she learned about through her minor in entrepreneurship and innovation.
“I’ve had Soreem since March 2016, so it was already running, but, there was little stuff that I needed help with, like financials and things like that,” says Butler. “Overall the Hatch has been really helpful.”
The Hatch at MSU is a space that provides resources for student entrepreneurs and assists them with developing their business ideas.
“With all the events they have, I try to take advantage of everything,” says Butler. “With the Hatch they helped me get stickers, they gave me resources for different things that I needed, different events with speakers I could talk to related to what I’m doing.”
Butler encourages her peers who aspire to start a business to do their research and find resources, and to look at competition and see if there’s something they can do better.
She thinks young people get discouraged because they don’t know where resources are.
“Just always do your research and never take ‘no’ for an answer,” says Butler. “A lot of people will say you can’t do something because they never brought their vision to life. Always keep people around who support what you’re doing."
Butler hopes to give back as much as she can to upcoming entrepreneurs and to those who supported her.
“I would love to have a little business seminar, with people starting up to give them little keys to start,” says Butler.
While, encouraging young people to follow their dreams, Butler also wants them to know that it isn’t easy, and that you have to work hard.
“The road is not easy, don’t ever believe that it will be easy. You will hit walls, but you will get over that,” says Butler. “It’s fun, because you get to work for yourself.”
With the help of her family and friends and MSU resources, Butler has been successful with Soreem, and has a lot more in the works for her company.
“I just don’t want anybody to regret not following their dreams, as cliché as it sounds, you should always follow your dreams,” says Butler. “Always, no matter how big or small, always. That’s what I’m doing, that’s what I love to do.”
Story by Brandi Scarber
