Member of the Month: Batool Zaidi

Congratulations to our Member of the Month for November, serial entrepreneur, Batool Zaidi.

Batool is the founder and director of the fashion and wellness brand, BeReal Wear, which started in 2020. But this is not her only entrepreneurial venture. She is also the founder of the business development and digital marketing company, Excelify Solutions, which started in 2019. If that’s not all, Batool is amid setting up a third venture, tech company, Aheta AI, which is set to launch at the end of the year.

From a trademark battle to giving women a platform to confidently express themselves, Batool gets candid about being a serial entrepreneur. She says:

 "I wanted to create a brand that believes in empowerment, being true to yourself and being positive.

"We work with diverse groups of people and give them a platform where they can be positive and venture into the world of modelling."

How did the idea for BeReal Wear come about?   

My background is in engineering, and I have worked with the likes of Siemens and other software companies and start-ups. I then founded Excelify Solutions in 2019.

I also have a creative side. As a child, I was very passionate about painting and even won a few international competitions. Fashion has been another passion and during the lockdowns in 2020, I started sketching some athleisure wear designs to boost my creativity.

I shared them with family and friends, and they suggested I bring them to life. They placed orders and that became the first line of BeReal Wear.

I wanted to create a brand that believes in empowerment, being true to yourself and being positive.  

How does the brand embody this ethos?

As the name – BeReal – suggests, it is about being real, positive and accepting yourself for who you are.

We stuck with this ethos from launch. I always wanted real women to be the models and brand ambassadors. Our website and marketing showcase diverse models from a medical nurse and university students to Ukrainian refugees.

We work with diverse groups of people and give them a platform where they can be positive and venture into the world of modelling.

On your social media, you are candid about a recent trademark challenge. Can you share any advice?

That is the life of a business owner. The matter has already been heard and we have our trademark for ‘BeReal skin and beyond’ registered in the wellness category in the UK and the US.

It was a challenge, but you must learn from things and keep a laser-sharp focus. Let nothing distract you and if you believe in something, stand up for it.

Luckily for us, we started out in 2020, and our trademark was registered before. So, the preliminary opposition decision went in our favour because we had all the proof.

Small business owners do face situations like this but if they think they have all the right support and evidence, then they should go for it.

On the other hand, it was not easy. It takes a lot of time and resources. There will be hurdles along the way, but you have to keep adapting.

Any advice on pitching to retailers? 

We have developed partnerships with ASOS, Debenhams and most recently, Tesco. If you truly believe in your product, then reach out to retailers.

It did not happen overnight for us. It was a lot of nos at first, then they turned into a yes. It took us six months to establish one partnership.

Our first partnership was a John Lewis pop-up during COVID. People were supportive, buying and enquiring about the brand and that was the first time I knew it could be a viable business.

Watch this webinar to identify your target retailers:

What’s next for the BeReal brand?

In 2025, we’re looking at branching out more into the wellness sector and going forward with more partnerships in clothing as well as wellness.

We are in the testing phase for skincare products we are hoping to launch.

How did you get involved with Enterprise Nation and how has it benefited your business?

I first encountered Enterprise Nation in 2021. I used your business planning templates.

Enterprise Nation has helped massively to meet people. Over the years, you meet people who are in the same boat, facing similar challenges. It is always good to network and Enterprise Nation has helped with that.

Want to be part of the Enterprise Nation community like Batool? Sign up for free or upgrade to adviser membership.