Today we’d like to introduce you to Nida Us Sehar Rizwan.
Nida Us Sehar, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
From 36 Kurtis (Shirts) to a Business I Built with Patience and Heart
My name is Nida Us Sehar Rizwan, but most people in my community know me by my middle name, Sehar. That is why I built my business under the name SeharsTrends, so people can recognize and connect it with me. If someone says “Nida,” many may not immediately recognize me, but if they say Sehar, they know it is me. For me, this name is not just a name, it is my identity connected to my work.
I moved to the United States in 2015, and at that time, it felt like a dream come true. Coming to the U.S. was something we were excited about, something we never fully planned. After marriage, I never imagined that we would move here so suddenly, but when the opportunity came, we took it. We were happy, excited, and thinking about a better future.
But very quickly, reality started to show itself.
We realized that starting a life here was not just about dreams. It was about responsibility. There was no support system, no helping hands. Everything depended on us. Managing a home, raising a child, handling responsibilities, and thinking about financial stability, everything had to be done on our own.
In the beginning, that feeling was overwhelming.
On one side, there was happiness that we were here, that we had reached a place we once saw as a dream. But on the other side, there was the reality that we had to build everything ourselves. We had to work hard, settle down from zero, and turn that dream into something real with our own effort.
That was the moment I understood that this life will only move forward if we make it move.
I have a Master’s degree in International Relations, which is completely different from the work I do today. In my earlier life, I never had any interest in fashion. My mother and my elder sister used to choose clothes for me. I never selected or designed anything myself.
After we moved to the United States in 2015, around that time my first baby was born. I made a personal decision that I did not want to send my child to daycare etc. I wanted to stay with her, but at the same time, I knew I needed to do something for my future.
So I decided to start a small clothing business from home with my cousin, who was in Pakistan. I needed someone I could trust completely, and she became that support system for me. I had no experience at all. I did not start this because of passion. I started it because I needed something I could do from home.
I still remember my first step as just 36 kurtis (simple branded shirts) in one small package.
At that time, I did not know many people. I did not have a network or strong connections. Still, I decided to take a step and participate in an exhibition. I took one rack and went there.
That first exhibition was completely new for me. I had never done anything like that before. I was nervous because I did not know how to set up, how to talk, or how to present my work. I kept thinking about what to say and how to handle everything. But at the same time, I was observing everything very carefully that how other vendors were working, how they were talking to people, and how they were presenting themselves. I spoke to customers, asked questions, and tried to understand what they were looking for, even when I did not have exactly what they needed.
That experience became an eye-opener for me.
It was not a big success, but for me, it was everything. It was my beginning.
Slowly, I started selling within a very small circle. I kept going step by step, believing that every business takes time.
At that time, I did not know anything about social media, so I worked only through in-person exhibitions.
Soon after starting, I faced medical issues, and my work slowed down. It was not easy, but I did not stop, I just moved forward slowly.
Then in 2017, I experienced one of the most difficult moments of my life, the loss of my mother. Because of my immigration situation, I could not return to Pakistan, and that pain stayed with me. It took time for me to recover emotionally and return to my work with strength.
During that phase, I was not thinking about growth. I was simply trying to survive and settle down.
Then COVID came.
Like many small businesses, my work slowed down significantly, especially because my business depended on in-person exhibitions. I was not very active on social media at that time, so my options were limited. But I did not stop. Because of the trust and relationships I had built, people still came to me, so I continued, even at a slow pace.
In 2021, my second child was born, and once again, I chose to stay home and manage everything myself.
After COVID, something shifted.
Until then, I was just trying to manage everything like home, children, responsibilities, and work. I was doing this because I needed to. But slowly, I started realizing that this was no longer just about survival. I was thinking differently about my work, my collection, and my customers. For the first time, I felt that this was something of my own, something I wanted to build and grow.
After that, I started focusing more seriously on my business. I expanded my collection and adding more categories, more variety, and more options for different people. From casual wear to formal and eventually heavy fancy wear, my work started growing step by step.
I also slowly started using social media, even though it was not easy for me. I am still learning and improving in that area.
At the same time, I continued participating in exhibitions in different places and started organizing open houses. This allowed people to see my full collection and connect with my work more closely.
As I grew, I realized that in Austin there were not enough opportunities for vendors to showcase their work. That is when I decided to take a bigger step and start organizing exhibitions myself.
In the beginning, I was unsure and a little scared, because organizing an event is very different from participating in one. It comes with responsibility, planning, and many uncertainties. But I still took that step.
Sometimes things worked, and sometimes they did not, but every experience taught me something. Over time, I began to see people appreciate my work, and that encouraged me to continue and improve.
I also understand that this work always has risks and many things affect it, like timing, weather, and season, but that is part of the process.
Slowly, I improved my boutique and expanded my collection based on what people like. I believe a boutique is not about my choice. It is about understanding people. At the same time, I stay aware of modern trends and different styles so I can offer variety, but my personal preference naturally leans toward pieces that are more classy, modest, and culturally inspired. From there, I expanded into all categories, including bridal wear, and I started taking custom orders.
From just 36 kurtis (shirts), I now have a full collection.
But this is very important for me although this was never my original passion. And somewhere along the way, that changed.
I realized that I truly enjoy this work. I enjoy selecting dresses, arranging them, and connecting with people. Even today, when life feels overwhelming, I find peace in my work. It makes me feel calm and alive.
What I started just for survival… I now truly love. It is no longer just survival yes it has become my passion.
I am still learning. I am still improving. But one thing is very clear that I never stopped. Through everything from moving to a new country, motherhood, loss, and challenges. I kept going, and I am still going. Alhamdulillah (I am grateful to God).
I didn’t start this with a big plan or a clear dream. I just started because I had to. Step by step, this work became my strength, and then my passion. Today, when I look back, I don’t just see a business , I see everything I went through and everything that shaped me. This is something I built with patience and heart, and I am still moving forward, in my own way, at my own pace.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It has definitely not been a smooth road.
Starting a business in a new country without any prior experience was challenging from the beginning. I had no strong network, no guidance, and I was learning everything step by step on my own. At the same time, I was managing my home and raising my children, which was a big responsibility.
There were also personal challenges. I faced medical issues early in my journey, which slowed my work. Then in 2017, I lost my mother, and because of my immigration situation, I could not go back to Pakistan. That was one of the most difficult times in my life, and it took me time to recover emotionally.
During COVID, my business slowed down significantly because I depended on in-person exhibitions and was not active on social media at that time. It was a very uncertain period, but I continued at a slow pace.
Another challenge was stepping into organizing events. It was something completely new for me, and it came with risk, responsibility, and many unknowns. Sometimes things worked, and sometimes they didn’t, but each experience taught me something.
Overall, the road has been full of ups and downs, but I never stopped. I kept moving forward step by step, learning from every challenge.
As you know, we’re big fans of SeharsTrends . For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Through my boutique, SeharsTrends, I offer a wide range of clothing, including casual, formal, and bridal wear, along with custom orders. Over time, I have expanded my collection to include different styles, sizes, and categories so I can meet the needs of a diverse audience.
What I focus on most is understanding people and what they are comfortable wearing. I stay aware of modern trends and changing preferences, but at the same time, my personal approach leans toward styles that are classy, modest, and culturally inspired. I try to balance both so my customers can find something that fits their style while still feeling confident and comfortable.
A big part of my business is personal connection. I work closely with my customers through exhibitions, open houses, and one-on-one interactions. This helps me understand their preferences better and provide more thoughtful options rather than just selling products.
One thing that also sets my work apart is that I organize exhibitions for other vendors. This allows me to create opportunities for others while continuing to grow my own business. It has become an important part of what I do and reflects how I value collaboration and community growth.
What I am most proud of is that I started with very little just 36 kurtis (Shirts) and built everything step by step with patience and consistency. Today, SeharsTrends is not just about clothing, but about trust, relationships, and a space where people feel comfortable choosing what suits them best.
Is there any advice you’d like to share with our readers who might just be starting out?
Over the years, many of my customers have gone on to start their own businesses, including in this field. Because I have built personal relationships with them, they often come to me for guidance and asking how I started, what challenges I faced, and what mistakes I learned from.
I always try to guide them openly and honestly based on my experience. I believe that when someone asks for advice, it is a trust, and you should give it with honesty and sincerity. Even when I organize events, I support and guide other vendors as much as I can. Since I have been working in exhibitions for a long time, I share whatever I have learned with anyone who truly needs it or is looking for direction.
My advice to anyone starting out is to be patient and not be afraid to take the first step, even if you don’t feel fully ready. You will learn along the way. Mistakes are part of the process, but consistency and willingness to keep going are what make the difference.
Pricing:
- We offer a wide range of options, from casual everyday wear to formal, bridal, and custom pieces
- Pricing varies depending on the design, fabric, and level of customization
- We try to provide options that suit different preferences and budgets
- Custom orders are priced individually based on specific requirements
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/seharstrends
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Seharstrends/
