Tara Jarmon is the co-founder of Mirae, an entrepreneur, business mogul, mother, grandmother, and all round boss lady! This women's day we sit down and discuss her personal and professional life and what it means to be a woman in 2020.
1. Where are you from?
I was born in Vancouver, Canada
2. What was your childhood like?
I was the middle child sandwiched between a bossy older sister and a darling younger brother.
(left, Tara and her siblings, right, Tara in red with her older sister)
3. Were you raised by strong women?
My Mother is definitely a strong, capable woman but very much a woman held back by what was expected of a young wife and mother in the 1960's & 70's. Her courage and ability to pull through drastic change in her life and situation with grace and humor is what I admire most about her.
(left, Tara's mother graduating summa cum laude at the age of 52, right, Tara's high school graduation)
(left, Tara's mother graduating summa cum laude at the age of 52, right, Tara's high school graduation)
4. Who was the first woman you met that taught you the meaning of being a woman?
Actually I have to say one amazing woman and her two beautiful teenage daughters. These wonderful women demonstrated to me the absolute necessity of friendship and what I call the sisterhood of feminine mentorship. And at all times to be kind to others.
5. What were your 20s like?
An extremely exciting time for me. I discovered my independence, moved to France, fell in love, created my first business, and had my first child.
6. What did you fear most about starting your first business? How did you overcome it and grow?
I was actually quite fearless at this time. I loved this period, creating my business was my 'raison d'etre' and I spent every waking minute working on it. It wasn't a chore it was my dream come true.
7. Was learning a new language difficult for your personal expression when building the brand Tara Jarmon?
Learning to speak French has been a challenge for me, and it is really something that I feel has held me back over the past 35 years that I have been in France. But like so many obstacles my handicap has made me stronger.
8. Tell us about the obstacles you had to overcome whilst running a business and raising three children in a foreign country?
Probably the biggest obstacle for me was coming to terms with the guilt of not providing the same life style for my children as I had had. I had a stay at home mother and I was an almost never at home mother. It was an obstacle that I worked around and in the end I managed like all women always do.
9. Why did you decide to start Mirae?
Creating Mirae has been a dream for a while now. Designing clothing is an inert part of my character and I am simply not fulfilled unless I am doing this. I began witnessing the change in our societies needs and methods of consumption. Consumers are pushing designers forward. Mirae is a brand with great designs but just done differently. We use luxurious fabrics but at very reasonable cost. Our collections are completely in sync with the seasons and we strive to be as ecologically sustainable as possible and always pushing forward.
10. What is it like working with your daughter Camille?
At Mirae Camille is very much my partner and not my daughter. Without her knowledge and input Mirae would not succeed. I admire her understanding of the new consumer desires.
11. How does Mirae empower women?
As a designer I strive to design clothes that make us look as attractive as possible. I like to say that I design the dress that one dreams to be wearing when she crosses her ex!
12. How important is personal growth to you?
Personal growth is fundamental.
13. What is your greatest accomplishment?
Not sure I have achieved it yet.
14. What is your self-care routine?
My health care routine is pretty simple. Moisturizers are vital. I am fortunate that sports play a big part of my life and I have noticed that being fit is a real necessity as we get older.
15. Has maturing changed your perception of being a woman?
Not at all. If I didn't have a mirror I would never even realize that I have changed. Although I have experience now, mentally, I am still the same 18 year old girl from Vancouver.
16. If you could give your younger self advice on how to be an independent, strong willed woman what would it be?
Push yourself. Force yourself to try things that you feel uncomfortable doing. Trial and error is the what it takes. You must work at everything including independence and fulfilling your dreams.
17. How difficult was your self-love journey?
Frankly I feel as if I haven't really ever had the chance or luxury to give this much thought. Of course like so many of us I have often doubted myself for a few seconds before taking the plunge. I am a true believer that if we want to achieve something we will find the way to achieve it.
18. What do you hope you taught your daughter Camille about being a woman?
I hope that I have given her an example that she can achieve what ever she reasonably desires. It takes dedication. I also hope that I have taught her to be respectful, kind and considerate at all times.
19. Are you proud that Mirae is an all female run business?
As a designer, designing for women, I fell there are great benefits to have as many women on board. When we launch a collection we all collaborate on what styles work best for just as many feminine silhouettes as possible.
20. What is it like being a woman in 2020?
I'm grateful for all the advancements that women have achieved due to the efforts of so many formidable women. In this new decade it's our responsibility to keep the momentum going to obtain equality. This can be achieved if women work together and continue to support one another.
So there you have it! 20 questions with one of the faces behind Mirae, Madame Tara Jarmon. An entrepreneur that is helping define what it means to be a women in this chaotic world!
Tell us what it means to be a women in 2020 in the comment section below.
Until next time.
Xx Mirae
