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Meet the Founder: Choose Made
Tell us about you and your business!
My name is Sarah Black and I live and work in our small apartment in College Station, TX. My husband and I moved here last year from Salt Lake City, Utah, though I'm originally from Virginia. I grew up drawing and crafting, found my way to a sewing machine in middle school, and have been sewing ever since. I studied dance and advertising in college, worked in a corporate marketing position, but quit to follow my true passion for sewing and humanitarian work.
Made is a collection of handmade products using materials from as far as India to as close as your local secondhand store. Bags & pillows are made with leather and international textiles. Leather scraps are then repurposed to create one-of-a-kind earrings and modern wall hangings, mixed with upcycled jewelry pieces. And face masks are made from unique, quality cottons that can be dressed up and more convenient with a necklace repurposed as a chain. As an added bonus - 5% is donated to refugee organizations.
What inspired you to start Made?
After one year of having a big-girl-job, I saved enough to go on my first out of country trip and went with a humanitarian group to Uganda for 3 months! Who does that?! I was able to put many skills to use - I taught math at a high school, dance after school, marketing to a vocational school that helps teens and women with HIV, and sewing to a small group of women. They already knew how to sew; I just introduced new patterns and designs that they could use in their town markets.
I was still set on using my degree and hopped back into a corporate job, but soon realized that I could be so much more useful in the world by starting my own business and working with refugees in my community. Since launching my brand in 2014, I've worked with refugees in Salt Lake City, traveled to India and Peru to teach women how to sew, held service workshops to make bags and hygiene kits for a homeless shelter, and donated thousands of dollars to refugee resettlement organizations in Salt Lake City and greater Texas cities.
You can say that I was inspired by education and independence empowerment. Knowledge is the most sustainable gift you can receive and give each other.
What advice would you give to other female entrepreneurs just getting started?
Speaking as a female who started a business as a single person, I'm so glad I didn't waste my time waiting for a guy to support me to pursue my goals. I didn't get married until I was 32 and I know my business taught me a lot of hard truths about myself that prepared me for marriage. To clarify, I still dated human men, not just my work, haha. I accepted my path in life, embraced business opportunities as they came, and wouldn't change it for anything.
What has been your biggest challenge since starting Made?
I learned a lot by going from a structured corporate job to being my own boss. First, I wish that I had taken up a part-time job while figuring out how to run my own business. I needed something that gave me structure to my day and some guaranteed income starting out.
Another struggle was setting expectations with refugees that I worked with when I first started. I was really excited to partner with local refugee organizations to employ refugees in the area. Unfortunately, I had a seamster that stopped coming in to sew two weeks before Christmas orders needed to be sent out. Another seamstress worked from home and helped sew for wholesale orders, but when it was time to send out the orders, it was very difficult to get a hold of her on her phone, or she wasn't at home, so I had to postpone multiple delivery dates for my clients. I learned that they were unaware of the workplace norms in the states that we're accustomed to and I had to take responsibility for not outlining my expectations. I still had to express how their actions and lack of communication affected my business and in the end, I had to let them go. I felt like a failure because my whole mission was to help refugees, but I still hadn't figured out how to manage.
Who inspires you and why?
My first humanitarian trip changed me. At first I felt very inadequate and useless to those living in extreme poverty. Yet, every time we served in their communities, they were always full of grace and made us feel so appreciated. They never complained about their circumstances. They were grateful for what they had and still so giving. I'm inspired by the single mother in Uganda who walked one hour to learn how to sew, the young students who live in a different country than their families to receive an education, the women in India who showed up to class with several of their own designs based on the prior day's sewing project, and the elderly man who climbs hundreds of steps to the Hindu mosque to give an offering.
What have you learned about yourself since becoming a business owner?
I've learned that I'm really selfish. Haha. Which seems contrary to my desire for humanitarian work. But I think I'm drawn to service projects because of how much it gets me out of my comfort zone, opens my mind to new cultures and perspectives, and introduces me to other people who are striving to step outside themselves as well. I also have a hard time accepting feedback. I've always trusted my own creative instincts. But as my exposure and brand grows, and I try-out new strategies and products, I realize that I get stuck, something is not as cool as I thought it was, not as realistic or practical, or simply not working. So I've come to appreciate customer's and friend's honest feedback and ideas, trusting that it's coming from a place of love and encouragement.
What's next for Made?
Starting out 2021, I want to see how long I can make new products without buying new materials. I've noticed a huge response to repurposed items. And not just from my customers, but consumers everywhere! I already use thrifted materials in my products and love the creative process of turning something old into something functional and beautiful!
Meet the Founder: Moonbeam Apparel
For our gift guide this year, we rounded up a list of some of our favorite female-founded small businesses. As a fully women-owned and operated small businesses ourselves, we know the unique challenges women face in entrepreneurship. For this series, we will be highlighting some of the amazing women makers, artists, and business owners behind these shops and help inspire you to go after your dreams! First up is Kelsey of Moonbeam Apparel, a size-inclusive and self-love-celebrating clothing shop based in Logan, Utah and online. Enjoy!
Tell us about you and your business!
Hi! I am Kelsey, you can call me Kels, and I own Moonbeam Apparel. I think I'm a good (or maybe dangerous) combination of dreamer and doer. I dream up an idea and then I'm determined to do it. Hence how I came to dream up the idea of Moonbeam, quit my job, and three months later I had a website and storefront. I guess if life is a swimming pool, I like to cannonball in. I love all animals and people. I'm an empath, which sometimes feels like a curse and superpower. I'm big on women empowerment and everything fashion. When I'm not working, you might find me exploring the mountains by my house with my husband and two shelter dogs, or cuddled up at home with a book and my two cats. I am messy, impatient and stubborn, but working on it. I started Moonbeam Apparel in late 2017. Moonbeam is a clothing boutique focused on inclusivity and body positivity. I believe every person in every phase of life should be celebrated and that clothing should be a fun way to express yourself. I incorporated the moon into my business because I think she has a lot of similarities to us as women. We all go through phases, and I believe we are meant to shine bright and make waves sometimes. Hence why Moonbeam's tagline is, "shine on and make waves".
What inspired you to start Moonbeam Apparel?
Ever since I can remember, I've put together outfits that some think are a little bit . . . "out there". I can't tell you how many times I've heard, "Wow, I could never pull that off." Still trying to figure out if that's a compliment or not. But I've always been more into wearing what makes me feel happy and the most ME than what others thought. That's what fashion should be! Embracing your body and your style to express and love yourself. Looking around before starting Moonbeam, I didn't see a whole lot of that in the fashion industry. I wanted to start something with clothes that were unique, while also showcasing those clothes on all the different and absolutely beautiful body types out there! I went in knowing the boutique industry was saturated, but I felt so passionately about the message behind the clothing that I never looked back.
What has been your biggest challenge since starting a business?
Oh man, there are a lot of challenges. Ha ha. I am a recovering people pleaser. I want everyone to like me. But guess what? Not everyone likes me. Not everyone likes the product I sell. Not everyone agrees with what I'm passionate about. Earlier this year, I was vocal about some things that were important to me. I lost Instagram followers. I probably lost some customers. Then after a little more time, I got way more followers and customers than before, and it's because my message resonated with them! I lost some people who maybe weren't a great fit, but found more of my people in the process . . . people who love Moonbeam and have helped me build an awesome community. I love that. It's shown me how important it is to always be true to yourself, even though not everyone will like it. The right people WILL like it and will show up for you. Every challenge in this business has taught me an important lesson. Challenges can be a great thing!
Who inspires you and why?
I am inspired by so many people. So many! Sure, there are some influential, famous people who inspire me in different ways, but "regular" people are constantly inspiring me too. I just think people are so beautiful and wonderful. Kind people inspire me. People who are unapologetically themselves inspire me. People who stand up for others inspire me. People who celebrate others inspire me. I am positive if I sat down and talked to you, you would inspire me. No doubt.
My mom is a specific person who always inspires me. Everything she does is to make the world around her a better place, and I want to be more like that. She's been so supportive of my business. She even works at the Moonbeam Apparel storefront one day a week. Our customers love her. She's actually way cooler than me but don't tell her that. We don't want it going to her head.
What advice would you give to other female entrepreneurs just getting started?
Focus on the things that light you up and incorporate that into your business! You have to have passion behind your business besides just wanting to make money. If it's all about money and sales, you'll get burnt out or your customer base will burn out. Focus on building a community for yourself rather than just a customer base. Also, don't fall in the trap of comparison. There's enough room in this world for every woman to be successful, I truly believe that. Just do you, and your light will attract the right people.
What have you learned about yourself since becoming a business owner?
I have learned that I am capable. Up to this point, I've bought all the product, built and updated the website, styled all my shoots, taken all my own photos, edited all my own photos, managed all my own social media, and I feel like I've succeeded. Before starting Moonbeam, I was drifting along, feeling pretty lost. I worked in a couple jobs where I didn't feel like my skills were being put to use, and I started to question my worth. Now I know I'm worth it. I'm also now learning that I don't HAVE to do everything myself. I am starting to ask for help and delegating things to my wildly talented team members. They want to help and they are beyond capable of doing so. Asking for help is a badass thing to do. You can do anything you put your mind to, and you can do it even better if you are willing to ask for help.
What's next for Moonbeam Apparel?
I want to start producing more of our own designs. It's scary admitting that out loud, but I'm putting it out in the universe and going to make it happen! Our most popular items, by far, are our Moonbeam Made graphic tees. I think it's because the style and message speaks to people, but also because we offer them in sizes xs-3xl. I want to create more unique designs in a variety of sizes. It's frustrating how difficult it is to find cute plus size clothes from manufacturers. I want to just make my own! Every person deserves to find something cool that fits their body. I know if we branched out to other designs, they would be a hit.
SHOP Moonbeam Apparel HERE
FOLLOW Moonbeam Apparel on Instagram HERE
P.S. We're giving away shop credit to Moonbeam Apparel and Lime Ricki over on our Instagram! Head to our feed to enter!
The Ultimate Female-Founded Small Business Gift Guide
Our Winter 2020 Reading List
Winter is just around the corner, which means it's time to hang the stockings, deck the halls, make some hot cocoa and cuddle up with a good read! We've rounded up five heartwarming, witty, thrilling, and unforgettable books to add to your list this coming season. Enjoy!
Modern Love: True Stories of Love, Loss, and Redemption
This book is a compilation of some of the most memorable essays from the New York Times column of the same title. The essays in this book will have you laughing, crying, yearning, and ultimately falling in love with these heartfelt stories, which are especially important in a time where human connection is more important than ever,
The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab
In the year 1714, Addie Larue makes a bargain with the devil to escape a desperate situation. She will be immortal, but the catch? No one she meets will remember her. Until one day, 300 years later, someone does. What happens next is a reminder of just how much we need connection after all.
The Guest List by Lucy Foley
There’s never a bad time to for a good mystery thriller, but when the weather outside is frightful, there’s something that makes us reach for an equally frightening story. The Guest List centers on a luxurious wedding on an island off the coast of Ireland. Somewhere between the champagne bottles being popped and old resentments simmering to the surface, someone turns up dead. This Agatha Christie style mystery is sure to be a page turner during the long winter nights.
Such a Fun Age by Kiley Reid
Emira Tucker, a recent college grad struggling for work accepts an offer as the babysitter to the children of Alix Chamberlain, a wealthy blogger in Philidelphia. One day Emira, who is African American, is accused of kidnapping the white children she’s looking after during a trip to the grocery store, and Emira and Alix’s lives are forced to intersect in a way neither of them expect. Touching on issues of race, class, privilege, and parenthood, this is a timely story for the current conversations happening around us.
Jane in Love by Rachel Givney
If all the Hallmark movie love stories are leaving you wanting more, this is the book for you. What happens when Jane Austen, the 19th-century author of some of the most beloved love stories of all time, travels to the present day? Well, she falls in love of course. But, like all great love stories, things aren’t that simple. This cute and witty story will have you charmed all winter long.
Last Minute Costume Ideas with Lime Ricki Swimwear
Lime Ricki Tunes: The Ultimate Pool Party Playlist
What’s the soundtrack to your summer? Over here, we’re filling our days with upbeat tunes and much needed spontaneous dance breaks – in AND out of the water! Here’s our Ultimate Pool Party Playlist to keep you moving and grooving all summer long, You can hear more curated playlists and Lime Ricki tunes by following us on SPOTIFY!
CLICK HERE to open the playlist on your Spotify App
What’s your go-to summer jam??