Today we’d like to introduce you to Amber Jamshed.
Amber, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I am originally from Lahore, Pakistan. I got married, moved to the United States and eventually settled in Houston, Texas – 2006 to present day.
I would describe myself as an entrepreneur and fashion designer by profession, a journalist by education and a humanitarian by nature. I started my career as a journalist after completing my Master’s degree in Communications from Punjab University. I stepped into the world of journalism with an internship program as a feature writer in a well- known Pakistani English News Paper “Daily News” and wrote many articles featuring many transcendent personalities and unveiling under-covered stories of extensive critical social issues ranging from juvenile murder case studies to our callous court system.
My journey of Entrepreneurship began in 2009 when I opened my own small clothing business in Houston under the name of “AJ Collection.” I started designing as a desire, a need to create to something. Due to high demand, one exhibition leads to another and another followed by owning my own boutique. At one point, however, due to my mother’s severe medical conditions, I was urged to shut down my business and move to Pakistan to take care of my mother. Personally, I believe that maintaining a career is essential but family always comes first, and being a mother and a daughter has taught me that I always needed to be there for my loved ones especially in times of difficult circumstances.
The most critical time of my life was when my son was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes when he was five years old. My world seemed to turn upside down within seconds, but I braced myself and fought through the struggles to comfort my son while he was facing this tough time as a child. Time passed and my mother got back to her feet in a year while my kids started schooling in Pakistan. I worked for two years as a school Secretary and Head of Admission In charge/Public relation officer at Bahria Town School. My son was studying in the same school, so I found myself playing the role of a nurse and checking his blood sugar on time and giving him insulin as he was engaged in his studies.
Once I moved back to the United States in 2014, I worked as an assistant teacher at South Houston High School and finally started with my clothing business in the same year, the same location as I did a few years ago. It all brought me to where I am now, successfully running my boutique “Amber Jamshed Designer Boutique” in the southeast of Houston.
Some things I consider to be the most important in my life are my faith and family because they keep me happy and motivated to continue moving forward. I believe that Empowering girls and women is highly essential and is the key to economic growth, political stability, and social transformation. I started with my “Houston Professional Women Organization” with the same belief as “together we can make a difference.” By coming together, highlighting each other’s achievements and networking, we can generate leading business and provide professional services and referrals with integrity.
I have a strong desire to contribute to my community because I want to live a life of service which is the essence of life. Lending out a hand and being supportive is what causes the tremendous, meaningful and positive changes that we want and need in our communities today.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Life has always its ups and down and I think that’s how you learn from it. My motto was ‘never give up.’ I have learned a lot from my ups and downs on my life journey and I want to share these with you. As a journalist at times, especially if you were working on the projects which involve crimes were not considered to be allowed for girls. But I did break that taboos and I even went to jails and meet the criminals to take interviews of them. My father was quite supportive as he was an advocate, and he was always there for me to get me through all the legal permissions required to get access to all those people. My mother was another source of strength for me as sometimes when I was down she was the one who helped me to get through that stress and social pressure being a girl. It‘s very, very natural to be afraid of the bad things that are happening in your life. Natural to be afraid of your challenges. But you have to believe in your possibilities. I always challenged my self and even with my boutique when I started I did not have much revenue and experience but I did believe in my self it and now successfully running it. I must say I have been lucky as my husband was the biggest support I could ever imagine or wish for.
Please tell us more about your work, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
“Amber Jamshed designer boutique” was re-launched in the year 2016 and has grown extensively in Houston in last two years. My Brand is known for creativity and high-quality fabric and stitching.
Sleek designs, quality, true innovation, and affordability are the main factors behind my success. At Amber Jamshed Designer Boutique, we carry Pakistani casuals, formal, partywear & wedding wears. We have
a full range of stitched clothes both casual and formal Pakistani dresses here at our boutique. We do carry high-end Pakistani jewelry and clutches.
Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
My mother is my role model and husband is my strength.My mother has taught me not to give up and my husband has given me unconditional support. He was always there whenever I needed him. His unconditional support enabled me to reach the height of this success.
My kids are my rock , I believe in the strength they give me and the love that I have for them. I do not know what I would be without them and I believe that whole heartedly.
Contact Info:
- Address: 15210 highway 3 Suite 103 Webster, Tx
- Website: https://amberjamshed.com/
- Phone: 2817718356
- Email: amberjamshed78@gmail.com
- Instagram: /amberjamsheddesignerboutique
- Facebook: amber jamshed designer boutique
Image Credit:
Orpheus John
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