
Name: Jasmine Bashaj.
Location: Vaughan, ON. Canada (Toronto)
Education: Cartooning Certificate (George Brown College),Web Design Certificate (George Brown College,Digital Media Arts Diploma – Honours (Seneca College)
Professional Background (brief, please) After graduation; Motion Capture Specialist @ Seneca College, Motion Graphics Designer @ Big Shot Media, Freelance Digital Illustrator @ Liquidlibrary.com, Digital Illustrator @ Clipart.com, Professor @ Seneca College (teaching: Motion Capture, motion Graphics, Photoshop, Illustrator, storyboarding, studio simulation course)
What you wanted to be when you grew up: A vet, a psychiatrist, and a fashion designer
What you are: Digital Illustrator/Fashion Designer/Professor
Brief Summary of your Start Up

At So Rad, we make baby clothes. I design them based on pieces of items I loved for my kids and put them together to make innovative, functional baby, toddler and now kids wear. Kids grow super fast, and I like getting my money’s worth, just like everyone else. So I make my items grow with kids. Dress’ turn into tunics, outfits go from ¾ length to short sleeved without looking like floods. My 4 year old still wears his 18-24 month boot pants around the house – kids’s start to grow longer, not necessarily fatter, so they’re shorter, but the waist is AOK.
I love bamboo, it’s SO soft and stretchy and breathable, it’s such a great fabric. But, alone, it’s a very strange fabric. It can actually grow after going through your wash, so it’s best to have another fiber mixed with it to keep it in check. I chose Organic Cotton.
Bamboo is also certified organic, in case you wanted to know
With all of these factors in mind, this is So Rad. I keep learning as I, and my kids grow. What clothing works, what THEY like, colors, patterns.
This year So Rad is introducing some really exciting new items;colors, patterns, gear.
Undies that are wedgie proof, thanks to my daughter for helping
me realize there is a need for this:) Boxer briefs for little guys, I always have a hard
first. Liiiiike us!time finding these for my son. A Maki swaddler wrap with legs so no need to unswaddle when you’re buckling them into the car seat. Stay tuned and keep in touch for updates, new designs, patterns and colours. Updates and photos are always uploaded to http://facebook.com/sorad.sorad
Where you are located: Vaughan, ON. Canada (Toronto)
Company Website? http://www.etsy.com/shop/SoRad
What inspired you? Art, Design and my Kiddos.
How long have you been in business? Since Sep 2009
How did you fund it? My husband is my financial investor/advisor
Do you have a Fairy Godmother (or Mentor)? A fairy Godmother:) I take advice from almost everyone.
Connect with Shop So Rad:
http://shopsorad.com
http://facebook.com/sorad.sorad
http://twitter.com/shopsorad
http://shopsorad.tumblr.com/
http://pinterest.com/shopsorad
http://instagram.com/shopsorad
Current Business Challenge?
Keeping up with everything! I’m a 1 (wo)man ! I have 2 kids, 8 months pregnant (due early May) I do freelance Digital Illustration still and I teach.
What are you doing about it?
2 words – time management. There’s a time & place for everything. Pacing myself keeps everything running smoothly – not to say I’ve never derailed, or gotten super busy for a couple days, but everything evens out. My husband helps a lot too.
Favorite motivational quote:
**nothing comes to mind right off the top of my head
Family? Yes! Great husband, Daughter, 7 & son, 4. Expecting #3 early May 2013 – I needed a new model!;)
If so, how do you balance family and business? Again, Time management. Both kids are in school, so I have some days to work on my business. Also, when they go to bed, I sometimes have a couple hours to work, but then again, that tends to be husband time:)
Favorite book? I’m not a big reader. I do really like reading tutorials and trash mag’s:)
What do you do to relax? Not that this is very relaxing, but I love to cook and play games on the ipad.. and Sleep!
What do you want to change most about your world?
My personal world? Or the world we live in today?
The world we live in; I would like to take my big eco foot print down a notch
What are you most proud of?
Building my own brand!
What advice would you like to offer other Start Up Princesses?
Even if things start off slow, which they generally tend to, stick with it, listen to advice, take advice, be open to change.
Favorite Magic Wand (tool/resource)?
My Mac Book Pro and Tablet! (I love you guys!!:) yes, I am a tech geek)
If you could design a tiara, what precious stones would you use?
Call me a hippie, but I like the whole birthstone idea. Topaz (turquoise, my fav colour) Red Ruby, Emerald and Peridot…and diamonds just ‘cuz we can always use extra sparkles;)