If you’re looking for a career that guarantees that sweet 5 o’clock retreat, being a CEO probably isn’t for you. Owner of Armoire and wardrobing extraordinaire Ambika Singh takes each day by the horns—meetings, community outreach, fittings and events galore.
Ambika got the idea for Armoire back in 2016 while she was busy finishing up graduate school at MIT. Fed up with the time-consuming and taxing process we all face while building a repertoire, Ambika developed a program that would offer high-end, sustainable fashions for the busy, on-the-go woman who doesn’t have time to shop. Over the course of the last three years, her company continued to expand. Ambika and her team of almost 40 employees recently outgrew their first location at The Riveter and moved on to an 8,000-square-foot industrial space in Pioneer Square. With a strong focus on local, sustainable and women-owned companies, the new digs house some 30,000 pieces as well as Armoire’s entire operation.
“It’s a one-stop shop catering to everything from athleisure to black tie,” Ambika says.
When asked about her daily life as an entrepreneur, Ambika says the most challenging part is learning how to prioritize and when to say no.
“You have to be flexible,” she says. “Every day is different, and that’s what keeps it exciting and interesting.”
She likes to categorize her day into three compartments, mainly spending time with her team, her customers and externally in the community.
“Life is often so busy that I go to the office and get ready there. It’s a perk of work.”
Setting itself apart from other well-known companies like Rent the Runway and Stitch Fix, Armoire offers a local advantage with its in-house boutique and a more personable experience with three stylists who are ready to assist beyond the curated algorithm system. The company, comprised mostly of women, is helping thousands of boss ladies nationwide to save time by not only providing a monthly rotating personalized wardrobe to keep things interesting but also the option to buy after you try.
“We sell about 40% of our inventory to customers,” Ambika says. Check out Armoire.Style and start exploring your unlimited closet as Ambika and her company continue to change the idea of fashion in Seattle, one garment at a time.
