Demi Marchese, 25
12th Tribe in West Adams is a women’s fashion business.
Employees: 7
Financials: $1 million in annual revenue. No outside investments.
What led you to start this business?
I had just graduated college and was looking to pursue a career in the fashion industry. I had an interview with Nasty Gal but never heard back from them. I started 12th Tribe by accident – out of pure passion and hard work at a hobby.
How did you fund it, and how are you funding it going forward?
It is self-funded with less than $1,000. I was fortunate to be profitable from day one, and have been self-funding the business ever since.
Are there advantages/disadvantages to starting a business in your 20s, and if so, what are they?
There are a lot of young business owners these days, so it makes it a lot of fun to connect with like-minded people your age! However, the only set back of being so young is you don’t have years of experience. I am learning as I go. I love being young in this position, though, because it allows me to set up for my future and truly love what I do!
Do you have a mentor?
I do. My mom.
Where do you go for advice regarding your business?
I do a lot of research online, read books, articles and connect with individuals in the same industry or similar industries. I am fortunate to have a few close friends who are launching businesses as well, and we can bounce ideas off of each other. The best advice is from someone who has been there before. If you don’t have someone close to you who you can ask, listening to a podcast will do the trick!
Where do you go for professional services (legal help, accounting, etc.)?
I have an in-house accountant, and my CPA is out of office.
How much time/money do you spend on social media for your business?
All day long. This is where the latest trends are rolling out, our generation has all of their conversation and the primary source of our business traffic!
Do you feel that your business is particularly tailored to the Los Angeles market, or do you feel you could have launched it in another location?
Being in Los Angeles has been a huge contributor to the growth we have had. I have been able to connect with models, influencers, photographers and other talented people to create the brand. However, because we are an online business, I feel we can go almost anywhere soon. Our demographic is Los Angeles; however, we have customers all over the world and know how to target the generation around the world.
Do you encounter skepticism from investors because of your age, and if so, how do you handle it?
I don’t currently have any outside investors, however, I have been offered before. Primarily because the business is doing very well, and because I am so young.
What do you do for fun?
I love to travel, be outside, spend time with my friends and family, try new restaurants, be by the ocean and explore new places.
