A couple of weeks ago I attended the Millionaire Enterepreneur Summit in Phoenix, Arizona and meet an awesome young lady named Sulema. Sulema works for a California based social enterprise that was started by a college student who is no longer with us.
I was so inspired by Sulema and here company that I requested that she allow me to write about her organization on my blog. No only did Sulema say yes but she went the extra mile to ensure an article was prepared for me. Here is what was written.
Rochie’s Originals mission is to fulfill what our co-founder, Rochanak (Rochie) Saberzadeh, started in 1989, which is to provide our clients with superior quality merchandise at affordable prices. Toward that goal, we are continuously creating the most gorgeous and fashionable collegiate fashion wear. We are happy to say after 20 years of service, we have thousands of satisfied clients throughout the United States.
Rochie founded Greek Row at age 20, when she was a full time college student in her sophomore year. She wanted to help the Greek system at her school, California State University, Northridge, expand by being more visible, providing greater access to their products. Rochie herself was a member of Sigma Kappa sorority. She held officer positions in her organization as well as the Panhellenic council.
Rochie was a gifted student, a talented artist, a true humanitarian, and most of all a fun-loving, generous, compassionate friend to all those whose lives she touched. She was needlessly killed while participating in a SCUBA diving class in July 1991 at age 22. Her death stunned all those who knew her. It was impossible to believe that such a bright, shinning star had extinguished so abruptly.
Words cannot describe the deep pain and sorrow that everyone felt when they heard of Rochie’s untimely death. Her loss ripped an empty hole in the hearts of her family and friends forever.
Rochie’s store remains in her memory and was renamed in her honor. A perpetual trust account was set up at Cal State, Northridge, in Rochie’s name, which is funded by a portion of her store’s proceeds to help provide financial assistance to a needy disable student every year. Rochie’s tradition of integrity, honesty and quality is still practiced in everything we do at her store and reflects the true spirit and goals of students everywhere.
Rochie’s Originals is currently working on expanding the business into the college bookstore market with the goal of adding value to thousands and millions of students as well as starting more perpetual trust funds at colleges and universities to help more students in need during their college years.
Our products help students create their identity and match their inside self, reflecting who they are. Our branded apparel brings such a good and positive feeling to the client wearing our gear that it gives them pride, confidence, which moves them to do bigger and greater things in life. We strive everyday to make a difference and leave a legacy in this world for the good of all.
