I am the founder of SEKOND, a startup focused on textile upcycling and circular economy solutions for fashion brands. I discovered the Erasmus for Young Entrepreneurs (EYE) program through a direct message from the coordinators and saw it as a great opportunity to gain international experience in circular fashion.
Through EYE, I traveled to Amsterdam to collaborate with MUD Jeans, a pioneering circular fashion brand. My goal was to explore synergies, understand how they manage excess stock and textile waste, and apply these insights to SEKOND’s clients. I also aimed to explore potential business opportunities with MUD Jeans, positioning SEKOND as a strategic partner in optimizing their circularity efforts.
This experience allowed me to gain first-hand insights into a successful circular business model, connect with key players in sustainable fashion, and bring back valuable knowledge to enhance SEKOND’s impact-driven mission.
During my EYE stay at MUD Jeans, I gained valuable insights into their circular business model and explored potential collaborations. I attended a brand history presentation with the founder, followed by a one-on-one session with him to discuss their sustainability strategies.
I had multiple sessions with different departments, learning about their operations in product development, marketing, and logistics. I also had several discussions with the CEO, my Host, to understand their strategic approach and explore synergies with SEKOND.
Additionally, I visited their flagship store to experience how they communicate circularity to customers. My relationship with the CEO was excellent, and the experience provided key learnings for future collaborations.
Through my experience at MUD Jeans, I gained a deep understanding of their circular strategy and how they have successfully implemented it across different areas of the business. I also gained valuable insights into the role of the CEO, particularly how she led a strategic shift upon joining the company. Additionally, I understood the founder’s original vision and how it has evolved over time to adapt to market needs while maintaining a strong sustainability focus.
This experience provided me with valuable business and leadership insights, as well as a clearer perspective on the challenges and opportunities within circular fashion. I also built strong connections with key stakeholders in the sustainable fashion industry, opening doors for potential future collaborations. The knowledge and skills acquired will allow me to further develop SEKOND’s circular solutions and apply best practices to support other brands in their transition toward sustainability.
My experience was very enriching (8/10). I gained valuable insights into their circular strategy, leadership dynamics, and sustainability vision. It provided me with practical knowledge and connections that will help strengthen SEKOND’s impact in circular fashion