Since we are back for our second season of the #BEYOUROWN Boss Project, the journey continues as we openly talk to six fantastic women about what it means to each of them to BE YOUR OWN Boss in the 21st century. So in the fifth installment of our 6 part campaign, we present business-minded entrepreneur sisters Anum and Aliyah Rehan of Chesterfields Of Mayfair.
We absolutely love working together as sisters! Anyone that knows us would say that we are pretty much inseparable. We set up Chesterfields of Mayfair together exactly a year ago. This time last summer, we decided it wasn’t just the right time, but it was our time. Having a business together as sisters is something we have always wanted to do and so we did it.
There are no rules when it comes to decorating your home which is why our aim at Chesterfields of Mayfair is to encapsulate our customer’s needs and dreams. Crafted by experienced hands in our dedicated workshop, we create unique and exclusive furniture tailored to the individual requirements of our clients, all handcrafted with precision and care here in the U.K. The Chesterfield sofa has a rich and vivid history which has lead to its iconic status which is why it is important to us for all our pieces to boast artistry and technique.
We are hoping to stay in business together forever or for as long as we can both put up with each other! One of our goals is to open our own luxury showroom. Right now we are feeling super inspired and ready for the next venture. Having not only gathered experience, knowledge, and confidence from Chesterfields Of Mayfair, we have also developed a unique eye for detail, a passion for quality and beauty. We have exciting business plans involving the fashion industry, something that we are incredibly enthusiastic about!
We are always questioning how we could do something more special and more groundbreaking with each project. We can definitely say we work better together as sisters than we do separately. Our energy is what keeps us motivated day today! Work and personal life can get pretty tough but if you’re a ride or die unit, you’ll get through it much easier than on your own. Long live sisterhood.
Inspiration is all around us. We’re a generation that is doing things differently. There are other options that young people are courageously taking now other than the university route that often results in a 9-5 job that has little career satisfaction. Recent studies show about one in three graduates end up being “mismatched” to the jobs they find after leaving university. I think students now are concentrating more on developing their talents and skills to a point where they are able to access industries and careers that will be fulfilling.
We would like to see more female-led businesses, not just that but younger female startups! Social media is getting bigger and bigger. There are so many Instagram accounts offering insight into young entrepreneurs current business ventures. There is a real mix of business and inspiration, whilst also giving followers a look into the life of entrepreneurs today. These entrepreneurs are using their experience to help fellow aspiring entrepreneurs grow, their feed gives followers a mix of working hard and the results of hard work. It’s a habit to constantly scroll and look at these images that sometimes have us thinking ‘I want that lifestyle, I need to work for that’. I think it would be great to see those individuals who desire this lifestyle to take action and believe that you can only start something by taking that first step… as it’s those first small steps that make all the difference in the world. It would also be good to see an increase of willing individuals happy to support others and to provide positive support and encouragement especially when setting up a new business. I’d like to see more entrepreneurs sharing knowledge and experiences freely. I am a firm believer that the more you give, the more you receive!
As professional women, it is important that we support each other. We are both incredibly lucky to be surrounded by beautiful, creative, and ambitious women! We are passionate about championing female leadership in the workplace. More and more we are seeing vibrant, goal-oriented women and we love that! We believe in pushing female empowerment, not just having visions and goals but having the strength to overcome limitations.
To BE YOUR OWN Boss in the 21st century as young women to us means keep dreaming big dreams, keep pushing forward and keep focusing on the end goal. If it’s worth having in life, it is going to take time, hard work, patience and a whole lot of persistence. Nothing worthwhile comes without a little hustle and a whole lot of heart.
Twitter: @ChesterfieldsOM
Instagram: @chesterfieldsofmayfair @x.ar.x @aliyah_r
