Melbourne student taps into her entrepreneurial spirit to launch activewear label for young athletes
Jessica Course caught the entrepreneurial bug early. In 2020, she started her first business, an online jewellery store that had over 200 sales in two years. This experience made it clear to the Year 9 student from Mater Christi College in Melbourne’s Belgrave that running her own business is what she wanted to do, and she began to set her sights onto something bigger and better.
Creating Jessie Clair Active
Coming from a performance sport background, Jessica found that many of the existing products in the activewear market lacked coverage and support where it needed to be for athletes her age. With a keen eye for fashion, she knew she could create a product that girls would find more comfortable and at the same time boost their confidence and performance.
The idea for Jessie Clair Active was born, but Jessica didn’t want to create just any business, she wanted to get it right. She joined ‘The Fashion Label Launchpad’ a 12-month mentorship program for young people aspiring to work in fashion in Melbourne, where she learned about both the design and business side of the industry.
Using her newfound knowledge, the first samples for Jesse Clair Active were produced in Melbourne. After testing and making sure she was happy with her product, she partnered with a supplier to help manufacture her first collection which features age appropriate designs such as higher necklines to increase confidence and comfortability.
Jessica has since gone from strength to strength, relishing in running her own business. She’s been involved in the whole journey from sampling and sourcing a manufacturer to shooting, modelling and marketing the collection. She shines with social media marketing, and her engaging content and blossoming online community have gone a long way in growing the business to where it is today.
Growing her business with the Edstart award grant
Jessica’s business savvy and commitment to success have resulted in her winning the 2023 Edstart Achievement Award in the Entrepreneurship category. With her $1,500 award grant, she plans to produce her second collection with more designs and colour options than the first.
Looking further ahead, she dreams to open her first Jessie Clair Active store and event space. She wants the space to inspire everyone who walks through the door, and showcase to all young Melbournians what can be done when you follow your passion.
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Edstart is a leading technology and financial services company providing funding and payment services for education. We offer fee management solutions to schools and flexible payment plans to parents to help make school fees easier to manage.
To see how we can help you, visit our main website.
Find out more