What inspired you to set up Imaan Active?
‘I founded Imaan Active in 2019 whilst at university, after struggling to find activewear that was both modest and functional. I identified a gap in the market for stylish, affordable clothing that met the needs of modesty-conscious women, particularly Muslim women. This personal frustration, combined with my commitment to empower women on their fitness journeys, was the key driver behind the Imaan Active’s launch.’
How has being part of Krimmz Girls helped with your fitness journey?
‘Krimmz is a fantastic initiative targeting women from underrepresented groups to participate in sports. I’ve had the privilege to be a participant of many of the sports groups Krimmz hosts, from Skiing, to Cycling, to Netball. I would never have tried these activities otherwise and have learnt key skills across all these sports!’
What has been your highlight of being the founder of Imaan Active?
‘There have been many highlights amongst the 5 year journey of Imaan Active – from quitting my full-time job to dedicate myself entirely to Imaan Active, growing a supportive community of over 100,000 women and making it on the Forbes 30 Under 30 Europe list reflecting the impact of Imaan Active on women globally. But when I reflect, my highlight is always the daily interactions I have with women discussing how Imaan Active has given them the confidence to do the things they love, whether that’s in the gym, playing sports or in the pool!’
What’s been the biggest challenge you’ve faced along the way and how have you overcome this?
‘I started Imaan Active as a university student with no prior experience in fashion or business. It was a steep learning curve – overcoming these initial barriers required persistence and a deep commitment to Imaan Active’s vision.‘
What has been your best selling products?
‘Our best-seller from our Sports Range is the Relaxed Fit Top which is the ultimate all-round fitness top. It boasts longer coverage, a zipped pocket for belongings and sweat-wicking fabric. From our swimwear line, the viral Ayah Cover up has been our best-seller. I designed this piece as many women struggle with swimwear clinging onto the body when wet, this cover-up was a game-changer for our community!’
What has been the best event you’ve hosted?
‘Our ‘Stronger with Imaan’ Event was a great success to our community, with the key aim of empowering women on their strength training journey. The event covered techniques on how to perform squats, deadlifts and bench press in a safe and efficient way. It was great to see the girls increase their confidence over the course of the session.’
What has been the most inspiring piece of feedback you’ve received?
‘The best piece of advice I’ve received is to dream big. This advice resonates strongly with my journey, as I started Imaan Active while still a university student, despite having no prior experience in fashion or business. The ambitious vision of Imaan Active and filling a gap in the modest activewear/swimwear market drove me to overcome these challenges and achieve milestones like making the Forbes 30 Under 30 list.
This guiding principle underscores my message to others, particularly women from underrepresented backgrounds, to believe in their potential and pursue their dreams despite societal or personal barriers.’
We are proud to hear of Misbah’s journey and all that she has achieved. To find out more information about Imaan Active visit their website https://imaanactive.co.uk/
