True story: a few years back when I was a new transplant to NYC, π½the fashion incubator I was a member of closed, and I had to find a second job to help stay afloat. I took a part time position at @westelm on their Visual Merchandising team: creating fantastical displays with faux βοΈ, papier-mΓ’chΓ© and fluffing A LOT of pillows. π During my time there, I discovered that when an upholstery fabric was discontinued, those huge swatches of sample materials (swipe left) on display were being thrown in the garbage. π It broke my heart to see such beauty be discarded, so I started bringing the swatches home. β»οΈ In less than a year, with the encouragement of my then-manager @jordan.t.short , I took the leap to focus full-time on my π business and quit the side gig. (Wait for it. . .β ) β Fast forward a few years later - my handbag business is thriving, I earned a Venture Fellowship at @bkaccelerator, and sure enough: I've chopped up all that amazing #reclaimedfabric into (IMHO) some pretty chic, useful and #zerowaste #crossbody bags. The icing on the cake? π° This past weekend, I was featured in my very own #popup at the SAME STORE I worked in @westelmbroadway and couldn't resist geeking out at how my life (and this fabric) have come full circle. β .β .β .β .β #madeinnyc #mywestelm #westelmlocal #fullcircle #entrepreneurlife β (at West Elm Broadway)
