Sofia Sacoor is a Dubai-based 17-year-old entrepreneur making waves in the fashion industry while championing a cause close to her heart. Part of the Sacoor family, renowned for their premium fashion brand Sacoor Brothers in the UAE, she is now carving out her own path in the industry.
The founder of the athleisure brand SU1, is not your typical teenage high school student. Balancing the demands of a rigorous International Baccalaureate programme with running a growing business, Sacoor is on a mission to support children with Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) – a condition she lives with daily.
SU1 was born out of Sacoor’s personal journey with T1D and a desire to make a tangible difference in the lives of others facing similar challenges. “During COVID, my family and I were quarantined together, isolated from friends and relatives,” Sacoor recalled.
‘I could have easily been in their position had the variables in my life been slightly different’
“Reading about children and adults struggling to afford insulin and medical devices, with some even passing away, made me realise that I could have easily been in their position had the variables in my life been slightly different,” she reflected.
This realisation was a key driving factor for the young entrepreneur. Combining her passion for business with her love for sports and leisure wear, Sacoor set out to create an athleisure brand that would not only appeal to her target market – teenagers and young adults above the age of 14 – but also serve a greater purpose.
SU1’s mission is clear: to create “A Ripple of Smiles” by donating a portion of its proceeds to support children with T1D. The brand has already partnered with several foundations, including the Al Jalila Foundation in Dubai.
“We offer simplistic but memorable designs in multiple colours at accessible prices,” Sacoor explained. “What differentiates us is our dedication to using only eco-friendly materials in every element of our operation – from the packaging to our tags to the products themselves.”
The obstacle: ‘Not being taken seriously’ as a 17-year old entrepreneur
But running a successful business at such a young age comes with its own set of challenges. Sacoor admits that one of the biggest obstacles she faces is not being taken seriously due to her age. “It hampers my efforts to grow, secure funding, or collaborate,” she said.
However, the young entrepreneur has learned to adapt quickly, a skill she believes defines her quality as a business leader.
Sacoor’s journey is made even more remarkable by the fact that she manages her own health condition while running SU1. She draws parallels between managing T1D and running a business, describing her condition as “almost like running a junior business that operates inside my body.” The skills she’s developed as an entrepreneur – organisation, time management, and efficiency – have proven invaluable in managing her health.
The impact of SU1 extends beyond its financial contributions. Sacoor hopes to inspire other young people, especially those with chronic health conditions, to pursue their dreams. “I hope to pass the message that our condition(s) is/are challenging, but it is not a barrier to achieving anything,” she emphasised.
The key to success: Willpower and determination
“We can accomplish everything we set out to do, as long as we have the willpower and determination,” she affirmed.
Since launching SU1, Sacoor’s understanding of the fashion industry has evolved dramatically. What began as a surface-level interest has grown into a deep appreciation for the intricacies of the market, from production processes to design inspiration. “I’ve come to appreciate fashion as a blend of art and comfort,” she said.
“Studying my competition has taught me the importance of color and design in appealing to my customers,” she added.
Sacoor’s journey has been marked by several memorable moments. Pitching her vision to Al Jalila Foundation’s headquarters stands out as a particularly rewarding experience. “Despite my jitters, their enthusiastic response to partnering with us was incredibly rewarding,” Sacoor said.
She also fondly recalled speaking to students at Sunway University in Malaysia about entrepreneurship and following one’s dreams at a young age.
Looking to the future, Sacoor has ambitious plans for SU1. “Our goal is to help as many children with Type 1 Diabetes worldwide as possible,” she said. “Starting in the UAE, reaching Portugal and Malaysia already, and aiming to make a SU1 imprint in most nations of the world – because the challenges are the same everywhere.”
Sacoor credits her family’s unwavering support for much of her success. “My family’s motto is that Type 1 Diabetes is not just my condition, but it belongs to the family,” she explained.
“Being entrepreneurs themselves, they urged me to solve my own problems and not wait for others to identify them themselves,” she said.
As she continues to navigate the challenges of being a student entrepreneur, Sacoor remains focused on her mission. “It is more important to me to dedicate time to the important areas of my life, of which SU1 is a top priority, than other leisure things around me,” she explained. “My mission motivates me to persevere through whatever challenge.”
As she continues to make her mark on the fashion industry and the lives of children with T1D worldwide, “We understand that the struggles faced by these children, whether in managing their condition or accessing necessary medical supplies, are universal.”
“By expanding our reach and efforts, we aim to create a global network where every child with Type 1 Diabetes can receive the care and assistance they need, no matter their background nor their financial situation,” she concluded.
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