We’re looking forward to introducing you to Ammar Nazir. Check out our conversation below.
Ammar, a huge thanks to you for investing the time to share your wisdom with those who are seeking it. We think it’s so important for us to share stories with our neighbors, friends and community because knowledge multiples when we share with each other. Let’s jump in: Have you ever been glad you didn’t act fast?
One of the most helpful pieces of advice someone ever gave me was that speed and acting quickly is of the utmost importance. In business, trends and attention moves very quickly. I started taking this with a grain of salt after last winter. I had been working on my winter collection for months, since early spring of 2024. I wanted to drop it in December 2024 or January 2025. As the time started approaching, I realized I was not going to reach the deadline. By the time my winter production would have arrived, it would be late winter, and the only way to make this work would be to cut corners. I have always been a perfectionist, and I knew since entering this space, I wanted to do this for the art and creativity, not for money. I knew that I could drop a half hearted and collection to hit the deadline that I hit for myself, but I decided ultimately that I would rather it be perfect than on time. I decided to vault the collection, start working on Spring/Summer 2025, and dive right back into this winter collection as soon as early spring rolled around. I now feel as though I built out the perfect winter collection, and it is finally ready for me to share with the world in January 2026. Taking my time rather than rushing has helped me preserve the art, the reason I even started this journey.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
I am the owner of Garden Kid, a streetwear brand focused on high quality, cut and sew garments. My brand specializes in designs that incorporate pastel and floral palettes. To me, a “garden” is more than a physical space. It’s a state of mind, a place of peace you can retreat to regardless of what is happening in the world. The “kid” element represents the wonder and curiosity we often lose throughout the journey of life as we grow up. My goal is to tie that childlike and youthful energy back into daily life.
Okay, so here’s a deep one: Who were you before the world told you who you had to be?
I was just a guy. A guy that just went through the motions and didn’t know why. I didn’t really care for the things I was doing. Even when I was doing things, it felt pointless in the grand scheme of things, and I didn’t feel like I was leaving an impact or really progressing in any way. I was most definitely completely lost. Realizing that starting this business was truly in the realm of possibility, and that anything you set your mind to is truly a reality, helped me find my way. I am still in the process of learning and growing and am very much in the early stages, but the feeling I have when I work on my craft and my brand or accomplish a goal no matter how small is indescribable. I feel as though I already made it. I felt like that on day 1. Because I think finding purpose is step 1, and for years I never was able to accomplish that step. Now, it is just a matter of accomplishing and seeing how far I can take this feeling.
What fear has held you back the most in your life?
I think the fear of failure was always very heavy in my life. I thought maybe that would drive me to push harder and “run away” from failure by being forced to be successful in everything I do, and maybe that works for some people. For me, it was like a cloud above my head, and it pushed me into the law of attraction even deeper. I feared, thought about, and believed the failure so much that it felt like I was attracting it. Once I realized I wanted to start this brand, I almost naturally trained myself to always believe that success is the only option. It might be delusional, but I never feel like I can fail in the long run. Do small setbacks happen, of course, but I have a delusional optimism that seems to always carry me. I feel like using the law of attraction in a positive way has changed a lot for me. And of course more prayer. Without prayer and faith, I would never even have gotten this far.
Alright, so if you are open to it, let’s explore some philosophical questions that touch on your values and worldview. Whom do you admire for their character, not their power?
I admire my mom’s character more than anyone else. I feel like sharing this short story about her will give you a glimpse into who she really is. I remember my entire family was on a trip to Saudi Arabia, and we were on a bus full of people. We were on a huge time crunch and were exhausted and we had to get back to our hotel, change, and then leave right away. When the bus got to the front of the hotel, we all hopped off quickly and we were waiting for my mom to exit. We all stood outside and started getting annoyed/ impatient. Where is she’s? Why is she taking so long? Finally she stepped out, and she was walking extremely slow. We realized it’s because she was holding the arm of an elderly woman and helping her down the steps of the bus. Even in a rush, tired, sweaty condition, she stopped and helped this lady that she had never met and would never speak to again. She put being a good person before herself. That’s something I have always tried to emulate no matter what happens and where I reach.
Okay, so let’s keep going with one more question that means a lot to us: If immortality were real, what would you build?
I think the truth is, I would continue to build what I am building now. I believe if immortality was in the mix and you would do something else rather than what you are doing now, you are doing the wrong thing. I have goals that will take years and years to reach, but who’s to say I won’t be gone tomorrow? I think if being around for a much longer time than you think you are going to be here would make you shift what you would do or build, you should build THAT. I have the mentality of pushing forward and building what I want to build until it’s my time to leave. Whenever that may be, I’ll accept it.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://gardenkid.co
- Instagram: @_ammarnazir_
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ammarnazir
- Other: Portfolio: https://ammarznazir.wixsite.com/gardenkid
Image Credits
Instagram:
@breakfastatcasablanca
@_ammarnazir_
@azeem.photo
@nidalfilm
