Life Update: “When the hell are you moving to NYC?” & Other Tales
I’ve been seeing friends from Stanford ’16 post life updates and new goals as the end of June comes up.
A year ago, I found myself doing one last protest hurrah, finishing my first gown (thank you, Elisabeth Dee, for supporting in my first handstich lace applique) and scrambling to get everything done that needed to get done.
I spent last summer gaining fashion construction and sewing skills in London (Central St Martins and London College of Fashion FTW), using money from a “Stanford Women in Design” award to fund part of the adventure. The other part was funded through my PT work at a nonprofit, as well as freelancing my ass off. Even though the pound:dollar ratio was much more in my favor (I landed on Brexit day), London is fucking expensive.
Stanford enabled me the summer before to visit the Savage Beauty (McQueen exhibit) three times, crashing on the pull-out bed of a gracious friend from Stanford (Kyle, I fucking owe you).
So, with that, let’s delve into what I’m up to, how it’s going for me, and when the hell I’m getting to NYC.
While you’re about to see a bunch of projects and updates, I’ve said “No.” to more than a few dozen projects/efforts/jobs — because, they didn’t fit in with the goals I’ve had for myself. While my goals are varied (and are like a terrible math question with 17 parts to each statement), I’m proud that I’ve been able to refer to them when making a decision. Not everything fits, and that’s okay.
1. October 2016: Full-Time Freelancer (& Caretaker?)
For reasons described in this TechCrunch article, I left my employment at a nonprofit — and jumped full-time into “Freelance Land.” I moved back in with my parents, because:
- I was exhausted after Stanford/London, and I honestly needed a place to put myself back together, where I could cry without freaking roommates out.
- I wanted time to plan the next phase of my life. Not all of my friends from college were lucky enough to have a soft spot to land to plan the next leg, and I wanted to make “deliberate choices” instead of reactive ones. (Shoutout to Kasiemobi for that line.)
- My mom had an accident at work, resulting in nerve damage (womp womp worker’s comp). Being at home made figuring out caretaking way easier.
More on this later — I think a lot needs to be said about the switch in roles that happens when one moves from *being taken care of by a parent*, to *taking care of a parent*.
- Create residual income so I could really focus on fashion/show up and be fully present everyday in NYC.
- I needed more training in fashion/design.
2. December 2016: Fashion courses at Fashion Sewing School
After emailing folks at locally owned fabric shops, as well as quite a bit of Googling on my own, I landed at Fashion Sewing School (FSS). The school is actually a studio, run in Sugarhouse, Utah, by Sophie St. Claire. With an impressive background in fashion, I’ve been taking intensive courses from her, and really gaining a marketable skillset.
You see, in fashion, most everyone starts as the intern doing a blind hem stitch for less than minimum wage (unless they’re bankrolled by rich relatives who believe in them). When I show up in NYC to work, I need to have an arsenal of skills at my disposal, to take full advantage of opportunities.
While there is “learning on the job” in fashion, “fuck ups on the job” are a no-go.
3. January 2017: A Career Coach is Born
After having friends of friends of friends of friends show up in my Facebook chat, I realized I should probably start charging for career coaching. In January, I cheekily offered resume revamps on my Facebook. New Year resolutions and desires for some real-talk, as well as stellar recommendations from my earliest clients (who I charged in Starbucks coffee) led to some stellar success.
My original goal was to be able to make one payment for a dressmaking class at Fashion Sewing School ($240).
I made $1,040.
I don’t say this to toot my own horn (#TootToot). Rather, as a way to challenge y’all into charging for your skillset and know-how. Turns out, there was (and is) oodles of people who wanted my help with their careers. BUT they didn’t know how to ask, as they didn’t want feel good about asking for emotional labor.
By using sliding scale pricing by race/gender/sexual orientation, I was able to create a way for people to comfortably reach out.
Funny thing is, I’ve worked with one white cis straight guy (hi Jason!). Not too upset about it.
3b. January 2017: Fashion Illustration & Alterations
Around the same time, I enrolled for Fashion Illustration courses at Salt Lake Community College, because I wasn’t having the best of luck “teaching myself” how to sketch.
Turns out, I’m very motivated by the prospect of a mentor being disappointed in me, so I spend some late nights with Prismacolor pencils.
4. February 2017: Business Coaching
Around the same time I started classes, I began working with Sophie at FSS on different aspects of her business. I began with strategic support, helping to create systems to make advertising and student tracking easier, and gradually it grew to full-on business coaching.
Much like career coaching, I realized I had been coaching people on their startups and businesses, only charging when marketing duties were done. Screw that! This experience, and seeing her revenues increase from my efforts, made me realize I could do this thing.
Since then, I’ve worked with about a dozen business women, and I’ve enjoyed the hell out of it. I focus on thought leadership, marketing, operations and customer acquisition/sales funnel. If you want someone to coach you on how to sell your startup, I’ve got some great folks to loop in.
5. March 2017: Utah Fashion Week
I was able to intern with Heggy Gonzalez and the team at Utah Fashion Week, doing everything from assisting designers and communicating with potential sponsors to selling macaroons. I showed up and literally said, “I’ll do anything, do you need help setting up chairs?” and this attitude led to quite a bit more responsibility (hair flip).
6. April 2017: Startup Land
Over the past 6 months, I’ve been working for JST ASK, a line of underwear designed to teach folks how to talk about what they want for in bed, with a specific focus on enthusiastic consent. In April, HBIC Alex Young and I visited manufacturers in the Bay Area, and we’ll be launching the Kickstarter this fall. (Also shoutout to Amelia Hartley, helping out BTS!)
Also, accepting submissions for an online magazine called, “Fashion is Political.” OH AND I’m also working on a startup of my own (with a product!), so if you’d like to invest in a BH-scheme, or know of someone who does, HOLLER!
7. First Program — “My Career Map”
Part of my goal in living at home was to be able to use that money to start online courses and programs, as well as some sort of product offering that would bring in residual income.
The first program is called, “My Career Map,” designed to teach folks how to create longterm career goals, as well as look at how to get from where they are RIGHT NOW, to where they want to be — taking in different routes/options.
I’m also working on an online course on how to begin working as a freelancer, as well as marketing for startups. These have woefully fallen by the wayside, so if you’d like to join me in July for #DoTheDamnThing, I’m going to create a tangible plan on what will be done everyday, for 30 days, to get it done. Or I’ll donate $20 to charity for everyday it doesn’t happen.
Gotta put my money where my mouth is.
7b. A Note on Goals
The goal for me has always been to “stop trading time for money,” and I’m definitely not there yet. It doesn’t mean I don’t love my clients or my work that brings home the bacon — I fucking do! Rather, it means that my full heart is being pulled in another direction for the longterm. While branding experts (including myself) would tell me it’s much better to brand yourself as doing 2 or 3 things, that just doesn’t fucking work for me — and you don’t have to do that either.
Thank you for supporting me on my journey thus far, and know that I literally could not do this without your recomendation and support.
8. June 2017: First Collection Begins
Something that I’ve learned over the last few months is that creating fashion takes fucking time. Especially when I want to slot myself into something between luxury RTW and couture.
Because of this, I’ve hired a fashion assistant (really, a cutting assistant) to help with creating toiles and fittings for my debut collection.
Where I’ll show it? Unclear. But there will be 25 pieces done by September, come hell or high water.
8b. June 2017: The Huntswoman
So, with that said, there’s a lot happening the land of The Huntswoman. I’ve began working wtih some badass women entrepreneurs/business owners in May, and I’m currently accepting new clients. I’m at the point where I instantly know if a partnership (wheather freelance or longterm coaching) will work, and if I don’t think I’m a fit, I’ll know quite a few folks to refer you to. ❤
9. October(?) 2017: Move to NYC?
Whew! Wow! You’re still with me, you’re a true ride-or-die. Basically, the next few months will be focused on getting this damn collection done so I can really start applying to fashion jobs. Up to this point, I haven’t felt like I could apply for a HOUSE (although I did apply to Moda Operandi and COACH at La Guardia airport, because one never knows), and brands have pretty much only been interested in marketing work. I want to be in design, even if it means I’m paid less and only trusted to get coffee for a while.
As usual, there’s a shit ton missing from this blog post — but the goal of the “30 Blog Posts in 30 Days” goal is to just say, “Fuck it, ship it.” If you enjoyed the sass, please click on the “💚” to share the love.
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