Mizi Mohebby-Gardner, the visionary behind Mizi Atelier, joins us to share her story of how she turned her creative passion into a business and a sought-after couture headwear brand. Recognised by Premier Magazine as one of the Top 25 Women to Watch Out For in 2025 in the Fashion & Sustainability field, Mizi’s dedication to creating each piece by hand, using materials sourced from local small businesses, continues to win the minds and hearts of sustainable fashion lovers and celebrities from around the globe. Mizi also participated in our Accelerate Pathway, through which she gained strategic guidance to support the next stage of her business growth.

What inspired you to launch Mizi Atelier?

I often struggled to find headwear that met my aesthetic preferences and was affordable when attending weddings and events such as Ascot, so I decided to design and create my own headwear, with a particular focus on using sustainable materials and methods. This not only ensured the pieces were visually appealing but also aligned with my commitment to sustainability. The positive feedback I received from friends and spectators encouraged me to share my passion and creations with the world, which led to creating Mizi Atelier.

Tell us more about your creative process and how you produce each piece.

Each of my designs begins with an initial concept; however, due to working with natural materials, the piece often evolves in unexpected ways. For instance, a feather may not bend as originally envisioned, yet this serendipitous shift can lead to a final product that is sometimes different and even better than what I had initially planned.

As an early-stage founder, what challenges have you encountered so far, and how have you moved past them?

Building brand awareness has been key and identifying the right platforms and contacts to promote my mission and products has played an integral role in overcoming visibility barriers and growing the business. Networking and attending various industry events have also helped me move past the initial challenges and push my brand forward.

If there was one key piece of advice you would give to early-stage entrepreneurs, what would that be?

It is essential to believe in yourself and embrace constructive feedback. Nobody begins with all the answers and using feedback to refine your approach can be incredibly beneficial.

Where can our readers learn more about your business and connect with you?

They can visit my website www.miziatelier.com and connect with me on Instagram – @miziatelier.

Impact In Action

Every interview in Impact In Action concludes with one signature question, inviting each individual, business, or organisation to reflect on the shifts and impact inspired by their work with Kristina and KgrowtH.

Looking back on your journey with KgrowtH, what did you find most valuable about the Accelerate Pathway, and what impact has it had on the way you lead, grow, and develop your business?

Through the Accelerate Pathway program, Kristina provided invaluable strategic guidance that helped clarify the next stages of growth for my business. She brings a rare ability to balance the needs of the brand, the founder, and the wider market, offering a clear, focused plan for the next three months, six months, and year. I highly recommend her to anyone seeking thoughtful, practical, and truly professional guidance.