Connect Who or what is your inspiration in business?

Our inspiration comes from the healthcare community we serve every day. As physicians, we saw how hard clinicians work and wanted scrubs that reflect that professionalism. Our journey hasn’t been easy. Our first manufacturer produced samples nothing like what we designed, and we had to start over. We’ve had to learn the apparel industry from scratch, but it reinforced our belief that physicians shouldn’t be limited to one box.

How do you stay motivated?

We stay motivated by remembering why we started. We’re building NKO Wear while both working full-time as physicians and raising a family. The transition from healthcare to apparel came with a steep learning curve, and many things we’ve had to figure out on our own. Every challenge has reminds us that following your passion even outside the expected path is worth it.

What would you do with the $25,000?

The $25,000 would help us scale NKO Wear while expanding our impact through the NKO Cares Foundation. As physicians, we believe we shouldn’t be placed in one box, we can care for patients while building businesses that serve our communities. Scholarships were pivotal in our journeys, so we plan to support students via scholarships while also investing in inventory, marketing, and fulfillment to grow sustainably.