Yesim Gokmen

In the fast-paced world of entrepreneurship, stories of high school students building thriving businesses while juggling academics are rare. Yet, 17-year-old Yesim Gokmen, founder of Venys Loungewear, is doing just that. As a recent recipient of the Formidable Fellowship, a grant designed to empower young entrepreneurs, Yesim has demonstrated remarkable grit, creativity, and resourcefulness. Her journey, from an idea conceived during a summer camp to running a growing direct-to-consumer fashion brand, is nothing short of inspiring.

Let’s dive into Yesim’s story, the challenges she has overcome, and what makes Venys Loungewear a standout venture.

The Beginnings of Venys Loungewear

Yesim’s entrepreneurial journey began at Beta Camp, a four-week virtual summer program that teaches high school students the fundamentals of starting and running a business. At Beta Camp, participants form teams, brainstorm ideas, and pitch their startups to judges in a final competition.

For Yesim, inspiration struck during casual conversations with friends at camp. “We were all complaining about how sweatpants these days are either ugly or not as comfortable as they could be,” she explained. The group recognized a broader trend toward comfy yet stylish loungewear, particularly among Gen Z, who often prioritize comfort in their daily attire.

That’s when Venys Loungewear was born. The company’s mission is simple yet powerful: to create fashionable and comfortable loungewear designed by women, for women. Yesim saw a gap in the market, noting that many popular loungewear brands, like Lululemon or Aritzia, are owned and designed by men. “A lot of their products just don’t feel as comfortable as they could be, and some of the designs are, frankly, kind of ugly,” she said with refreshing honesty.

Yesim’s vision for Venys wasn’t just about creating clothes; it was about empowerment. “I want women to feel good in what they wear, whether they’re lounging at home or running errands,” she said.

The Challenges of Starting Up

Building a business from scratch is never easy, especially for a high school student. Yesim and her original team started strong but soon encountered a steep learning curve, especially in manufacturing and logistics.

In the early stages, Yesim and her friends hired a local seamstress through a community of female freelancers called EcoEquitable to produce a sample of their sweatpants. While this aligned with their values of supporting women in business, the quality of the final product didn’t meet their standards. “There were so many holes in the sweatpants that they were unusable except for photos on our startup website,” Yesim explained.

This setback forced the team to rethink their manufacturing strategy. They eventually partnered with a manufacturer in Thailand, which offered higher-quality products at a lower cost. However, shipping from Thailand to the United States posed yet another challenge. Initially, the shipping costs were exorbitant—about $1,000 per shipment. Yesim found a creative workaround by involving relatives in Turkey and South Korea to help reduce costs, but she acknowledged this system isn’t sustainable long-term.

“Shipping is still one of my biggest challenges,” Yesim admitted. “I’d love to connect with someone who knows the ins and outs of shipping logistics to help me figure out a more efficient system.”

Navigating the Entrepreneurial World Solo

Initially, Yesim worked on Venys with a small group of friends she met at Beta Camp. Over time, however, her team members gradually stepped away from the business, leaving Yesim to carry the weight of the venture on her own. Despite the added responsibility, she stayed committed.

“I stuck around because I love this business,” she said. “I love clothing, and I love the women empowerment aspect of it. I really believe in the potential of what I’m building.”

Yesim has had to wear many hats as a solo founder, from managing finances (a skill she admits she’s still learning) to handling marketing and customer outreach. To date, Venys has sold about 40 pairs of sweatpants, generating over $2,600 in revenue. Half of those sales came from customers outside of her immediate network, a sign that her brand is gaining traction.

Her sales strategy has been a mix of grassroots efforts and creative outreach. She started by contacting warm leads—friends, family members, and acquaintances—before expanding her reach to colder audiences through social media and email campaigns. “I send direct messages or emails to people I think might like the product,” she explained. “Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t, but I’ve learned to not take the silence personally.”

What Sets Venys Loungewear Apart

Yesim attributes much of Venys Loungewear’s success to its unique selling proposition: stylish and comfortable loungewear made by women, for women. She’s determined to expand the brand’s offerings beyond sweatpants and hopes to one day turn Venys into a retail store.

But it’s not just the products that make Venys stand out—it’s Yesim’s authenticity and resourcefulness. From negotiating with manufacturers to learning about shipping logistics, she’s embraced every challenge as an opportunity to grow.

Her marketing approach reflects this authenticity. Instead of flashy, high-budget campaigns, she focuses on building genuine connections with potential customers. She’s even begun partnering with micro-influencers, offering free products in exchange for social media promotion. “One influencer agreed to work with me, and I’m figuring out the logistics of shipping the sweatpants to her,” she said.

Advice for Aspiring Entrepreneurs

Yesim’s journey offers valuable lessons for other young entrepreneurs:

1. Start with What You Know – Yesim built Venys Loungewear around her personal love for fashion and comfort, which gave her a strong sense of purpose.

2. Adapt and Overcome – From shifting manufacturing plans to navigating shipping challenges, Yesim has proven the importance of flexibility.

3. Leverage Warm Networks First – Reaching out to friends and family helped Venys gain early traction, providing the foundation for broader outreach.

4. Seek Mentorship and Resources – Programs like Beta Camp and the Formidable Fellowship have been instrumental in Yesim’s success.

The Formidable Fellowship and Future Plans

Winning the Formidable Fellowship is a testament to Yesim’s hard work and potential. The fellowship not only provides funding but also mentorship and networking opportunities. Yesim is excited to use these resources to refine her business model, particularly in the areas of shipping and scaling her product offerings.

While Venys Loungewear is a passion project, Yesim has long-term ambitions that extend beyond fashion. She dreams of becoming a corporate lawyer, inspired by her love for mock trial and a fascination with law sparked by an episode of Law & Order. But even as she pursues this career path, she hopes to keep Venys Loungewear alive as a side business.

“I love the idea of doing both,” she said. “Being a lawyer and running a business might be challenging, but I think it’s possible.”