We had the good fortune of connecting with Helya Mohammadian and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Helya, how did you come up with the idea for your business?
It started six years ago when my sister had complications during labor and had to undergo an emergency C-section. The post-surgery recovery left her feeling debilitated for several weeks. Just getting out of bed was a major struggle for her. Everyday things like using the restroom, showering, and changing became challenging for her, as she was having difficulty bending over. Something as personal as putting on her underwear, she couldn’t do alone. It’s tough seeing a family member struggling with their body, especially with how close I am to my sister. Not wanting to see her struggle with her daily routine, I decided it was time to find a solution. This led me to create the first pair of accessible underwear from my New York City apartment. I had a makeshift set up in my tiny room where I made several prototypes, never realizing how much of an impact this would later have. A product that I was developing for someone like my sister has served a bigger purpose and impacted the lives of so many people around the world. Creating this product has changed my perspective on something most of us take for granted every day, and that’s getting dressed. For people with disabilities and physical constraints, it’s a challenge they face every day. Our goal at Slick Chicks is to create products that make people feel confident, independent, and sexy. When you look good, you feel good, and feeling comfortable in your clothes is a type of confidence we all deserve.

What should our readers know about your business?
Inclusivity is the heart and soul of everything we do. And we are constantly exploring innovative ways to be more inclusive in our design. One of our biggest motivators has always been the feedback and response from our customers. It’s an amazing and diverse community of strong, confident people, and the enthusiasm, love, and openness has truly touched us. Creating more adaptive products is one of our goals at Slick Chicks, and we try to use that as a guiding principle. We are so grateful to be expanding our product category this year to include adaptive loungewear. This Spring we will be launching a few new products that we really believe our customers will get excited about, especially during a time that has been so challenging for all of us.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
After living in NYC for 17 years, I went through a big transition in my life and decided to move to Brooklyn in 2019. Don’t get me wrong, I love the fast pace life of the city, but I fell in love with Williamsburg immediately. The slower pace and sense of community was exactly what I was looking for. There are so many great bars, cafes, and restaurants within walking distance from my apartment. Here are a few of my favorite spots to enjoy coffee, a great meal, or cocktails:

-Butler Cafe on South 5th and Berry is my go-to for a caffeine fix and I’m on a first name basis with their incredible staff. -Barano is a cozy Italian spot in South Williamsburg that serves amazing meatballs and pasta. -OTB is a cute little cocktail bar in Williamsburg where I love to enjoy a few Negronis (and homemade pickles)! -Nitehawk Cinema on Metropolitan Ave is such a great place to eat, drink, and watch a movie.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
My sister, Rana, is the inspiration behind creating my product. She has been my biggest supporter from day one, always cheering me on. Thanks to her love and encouragement, I have had the courage to take the risks I needed to get to where I am today.

Website: https://slickchicksonline.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/slickchicksonline/
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/helya-mohammadian-57a1bb15
Twitter: https://twitter.com/slickchicksnyc
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/slickchicksonline

Image Credits
Headshot: Roohi Photography Brand images: Beyond Studios

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutSocal is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.