Supra Endura: Creative Conversations

Inside Look At Small Business During a Crisis Aug 13, 2020

Welcome to our last episode of Season 3. For this 36Th episode I want to switch it up a bit and both take you inside my own business along with talking shop with Nicole Haddad of Lobo Mau on what it is like running a small business in the pandemic. I have been working on some initiatives within my own brand along with being in a reflective period of what it is like being a solo entrepreneur. This episode I talk about what it is like to launch a new product. I take you inside the process and thinking behind what it takes to bring a new product to market. A few years ago I fell in love with beeswax wraps and I wanted to find a way to make them with Supra Endura prints. I take you on my journey of sourcing, figuring out digital marketing and what it is like to enter a new product category: Kitchenware. Being an entrepreneur is such a thrilling/ terrifying experience and I wanted to impart some of the knowledge I have learned along the way. Next, I digitally sit down with Nicole Haddad of Lobo Mau. Nicole is a close friend and a central figure in the Philadelphia independent fashion scene. I wanted to get her take on the pandemic and what she is doing. It was great to hear what has been working for her and where she had to pivot. I also love her positivity, it is what we need right now. I hope you find this episode refreshing and real. And if anything I hope it is useful to you on your own creative journey! :)

Conrad Benner On Using Your Platform for Social Change Jul 30, 2020

For this weeks podcast I got to digitally sit down with Conrad Benner of the Streets Dept. This was an amazing and full conversations and I got to learn about how Conrad started his blog and how it grew into a platform to promote local artists and a tool for social change. Conrad is Philly native who started his blog just as a passion project but soon found himself forming relationships with the Philadelphia's prominent streets artist. As the years went on his blog grew in popularity and eventually he was able to focus on it full time. Benner was interested in finding ways that his platform could both be a part of the larger conversation about art in a public space and affect social change. He has worked on various projects like: #AmICutOut, a pop-up art installation created with Covenant House Pennsylvania to help raise awareness and money to end youth homelessness in Philadelphia, and Signs of Solidarity, an inauguration day public art protest in opposition to hate and in protest of any and all that embolden divisiveness. Conrad has also started his own podcast where he sits down with the creative minds shaping Philadelphia and beyond. He talks to everyone from street artist to local politicians and for the last season he was able to take the podcast on the road. I love his interview style and along with the local leaders he has interviewed. We ended the episode with me in full amazement of what Conrad has achieved so far and excited for his next projects.

Zen of Fason De Viv on Blazing A Career And Creating Community Jul 09, 2020

am so excited for todays episode for Zen of Fason De Viv. Zen was born in Haiti and grew up in West Philly to entrepreneur parents. Zen eventually found her way into retail and eventually launched her own store/ online shop. She talked about being a single mom and deciding to go all in on her dream of creating a lifestyle brand and a future for her family. I originally met her when she had her shop in Old City and I loved it. She had a great mix of independent brands and works to showcase makers from all around the world. Zen is also deeply interested in community and works to help mentor minority owned business on how to thrive in the growing marketplace. It was great to hear how she has grown and how she continued to help fostering the community through mentorships and non-profits her and her family have set up.

Judy Wicks" Activist, Author & Entreprenuer Jun 25, 2020

We have an amazing guest on: Judy Wicks! I have been wanted to get Judy on for a while and I am so excited to have her! For those of you who don't know Judy Wicks is an author, activist and entrepreneur. Judy founded Philadelphia’s iconic White Dog Cafe in 1983. She was also a pioneer in the farm to table movement and a model in sustainable business practices. She has gone on to found Fair Food Philly, the Sustainable Business Network of Greater Philadelphia and, nationwide, the Business Alliance for Local Living Economies. With her All Together Now project she is connecting Pennsylvania’s rural agricultural community with the urban communities to build a sustainable and resilient regional economy. Judy's principles of sustainable business practice started when she spent a year working and living in an Eskimo village and seeing how the indigenous population shared and supported each other. After that she and her former husband started the first Free People store, which was the beginning of what we now know as Urban Outfitters. She then started in the restaurant business and went on to open the famous White Dog Cafe. What I love about this interview is Judy really gives us a history of important parts of Philadelphia's culture. She went on to publish her autobiography: Good Morning Beautiful business all about her entrepreneurial journey and how to build a new compassionate economy that works with the planet. Judy is still deeply involved in the community and fighting social injustice, she recently when to DC to march in Jane Fonda’s fire drill Friday's and has been supporting and protesting with Black Lives Matter movement. It was great to talk to her and hear about how she figured out all of these things.

Isaac Tin Wei Lin and Melissa Choi on creative partnership Jun 11, 2020

Today I want to bring you an episode with 2 friends of mine who are deeply creative and married, yes married. I have long been interested in creative couples who work in different mediums and them coming together to create something sublime. Our guest today are Issacs Tin Wei Lin and Melissa Choi. I knew Melissa from the fashion community when she cofounded the line Senpai Kohai with pas guest Pia Panaligan. Melissa has worked in many parts of the fashion industry as a designer, artist, stylist and more. She is a perennially creative person who always has an amazing sense of style and always a few different creative projects she is working on. Isaac tin Wei Lin is an artist who’s graphic and abstract paintings are buzzing with details of calligraphic, brushed and hand-drawn patterns. His work has appeared in a number of galleries and museum’s such as the Philadelphia Art Museum, Berkeley art museum and Fleisher Ollman Gallery. Earlier this year they decided to embark on creating a clothing line together: Choi Lin, this featured the artwork of Issacs and design sensibility of Melissa. The result is dazzling: pops of colors and buzzy prints along with a few beautifully hand sequins cartoon cats. They launched the collection with a pop up and art installation at the Room Shop Vintage studio in Philly and then did an installation and pop up in Tokyo. I am so happy to get to chat with them about their own art practices along with what it was like coming together and working on this.

Manpreet Kalra On The Art Of Socail Impact May 28, 2020

I got to digitally sit down with Manpreet Kalra of the Art Of Citizenry. Manpreet is a digital marketing expert, social activist, and speaker. She launched Art of Citizenry to coach conscious businesses on how to maximize their impact through business development, branding, and strategic marketing. She has a background in venture capitol and start- ups and wanted to use what she learned in those industries to help small businesses interested in social impact. We had some really interesting talked about cultural humility and how companies in the ‘do-good’ space have to continual check in to make sure they are actually solving issues instead of creating them. Also a very fun fact: Manpreet anonymously launched and ran the first every digital lifestyle magazine for South Asian women: Kaurista. Kaurista was dedicated to creating a space where individuals from every walk of life are invited, encouraged, and challenged to speak their mind on topics that matter to them and their unique experiences. She did all this while still in college! Even as a college student she saw this viewpoint missing in the public space and wanted to explore these issues that were not being talked about in traditional media. If you have not gleaned this yet, Manpreet is super passionate, hardworking and looking to explore avenues of social impact. I loved our conversation and hope you will as well.

Jennifer Mota on Finding Your Path May 14, 2020

Today I wanted to bring you a really fresh conversation, I am so excited for my guest Jennifer Mota. Jennifer Mota is a Dominican-American Multimedia Journalist who focuses on topics relating to music, fashion, Latinx identity, and Afro-Latinidad. She got her start at People Chica and now writes for Tidal, Vibe, People Espanol, Hip Latina and many more online outlets. She also spearheaded the Urbano and Afro-LatinX stories during her time at people Chica and now has become the unofficial expert on Dominican Dembow. Jennifer is also deeply passionate about fashion. I met her while she was an intern at the Philadelphia fashion Incubator and saw immediately that she had a great sense of style and was deeply curious. I have loved following Jennifers personal style and see her as an influencer in Philadelphia fashion and music scene. Along with styling local artist she also had her own line of bathing suits which she makes all by herself. She is just at the beginning of her career but already has accomplished so much. I wanted to bring her on as I feel she has a very fresh perspective of figuring out your passion and I love sharing with you the route that she took.

Dylan Garner of Cohere on Creativity and Teamwork Apr 30, 2020

I have an amazingly inspiring women on: Dylan Garner who is the creative director of Cohere and helps run the Philadelphia chapter of Ladies Wine & Design. The first things I want to say about Dylan is she is incredibly warm, she is the kind of person who wants everyone to feel welcome and that is an amazing quality. She is the creative director of one of my favorite creative agencies in Philly: Cohere and her linked in profile job description she writes: branding cultures and cities. Along with helping to craft some of the most iconic venues in Philadelphia and other cities, she helps to run Ladies Wine & Design which is an amazing national organization that connect women designers. I have been to a few of their events and just find it is a great place to connect and share. The LWD events really helps to bring the creative community together. We Definity nerded out on design things and she introduced me to the term Arthlete, which I am totally going to use in the future.

Emily Sexton On Flourishing In A Crisis Apr 16, 2020

I was fortunate enough to digitally sit down with Em Sexton and talk about her extraordinary life and what she has learned along the way. I met Em a month ago at Alt Summit, her talk was radiating and I felt like it gave me the tools to tackle some of the bigger problems I was facing in my business. What I have always loved about her is she is both hugely successful but also open about her vulnerabilities. Em had found great success in banking and was one of the youngest VPs in her company, but she felt the urge to do something bigger. On her 30th birthday she left her job and began to create the Flourish Market: A one-of-a-kind shop that curates products with a bigger purpose. Em works with brands from all over the world that providing dignified jobs and fair wages to artisans in vulnerable communities. Along with running her super successful boutique, Em has also created a co-working space, incubator program and runs classes to help women step into their power. Her energy is contagious and she deeply believes we all have the power to go after and achieve the life we want. It was such a pleasure to chat her and get her advice on what we can do to get through these hard times.

Hillary Super on Radical Leadership Apr 02, 2020

Hi guys welcome to the 1st episode of the third season. On today’s episode I got to sit down with Hillary Super, the president of Anthropologie. I got to chat with Hillary about her career working in the fashion industry and how she grew to become one of the few female presidents of a major America brand. It was great to hear what she learned working in both the corporate and start-up world and how that influenced her thinking and leadership. We got to chat about her exciting initiative at Anthropologie to launch the plus size collection and have a larger conversation about exclusivity in fashion. I have deeply appreciated her candor and openness about being in a role of power and influence.

Carmen Maria Machado On Staying True To Your Voice Dec 05, 2019

I was so deeply honored to get to do a live podcast interview with Carmen Maria Machado at the University Of The Arts. I was deeply moved by Carmen's first book: Her Body and Other Parties, and wanted to talk craft and what her journey to becoming an award-winning author was like. Carmen recently published her second book, a memoir called In the Dream House. She has been a finalist for the National Book Award and the winner of the Bard Fiction Prize, the Lambda Literary Award for Lesbian Fiction, the Brooklyn Public Library Literature Prize, the Shirley Jackson Award, and the National Book Critics Circle's John Leonard Prize. Carmen was a joy to chat with and I left feeling very inspired.

Dora Cuenca On The Healing Power Of Art Nov 15, 2019

Welcome to our mid-season teaser. We recorded this episode live as part of Design Philadelphia. I had the pleasure of sitting down with Dora Cuenca, an amazing painter, and muralist. We chatted about Dora's vibrant childhood in Costa Rica. Dora took us inside her art-making and how it has helped her to process painful events. She shares what it has been like translating her art into large scale murals. We also talk about balance with creative life and family, Dora is the mother to three kids and shares how her kids have inspired her art.

Elena Brennan Of Bus Stop Boutique On Following Your Dreams Aug 08, 2019

I met Elena Brennan five years ago when I was just starting my own business. I was just beginning to understand the retail landscape and starting to think about brand identity, marketing, sales and everything else a fashion startup thinks about obsessively. I was a part of the Philadelphia Fashion Incubator and Elena came to talk with us about how she started BUS STOP. She was warm and welcoming; opening up to us about the initial years when she launched BUS STOP. I was in awe of how she just jumped into running a boutique but quickly learned how to create a shopping experience that resonated with her clients. Over the years I have watched BUS STOP grow and am so excited to see Elena design her own collection with BUS STOP X. I loved sitting down to chat with Elena about how she followed her dreams and started her beloved shoe store.

Melissa Hall On Using The Power Of Community To Grow Your Business Jul 25, 2019

Today we have Melissa Hall, founder of The Emerging Designer and a brand strategy consultant. Melissa started her platform in 2012 after working with a variety of entrepreneurs and realized the opportunity for exposure, education and meaningful connections in the industry. Over the years I have found the Emerging Designer to be an essential resource for navigating how to run my brand. I met Melissa in 2014 when she visited the Philadelphia Fashion Incubator. She gave me great insight into my brand and we have kept in touch over the years. Melissa has worked on some pretty impressive projects like consulting with Design Entrepreneurs NYC, a mini-MBA program for top NYC emerging fashion companies. I got to visit her this summer and catch up on all the new projects she is working on.

Maria Piessis On Creating Without Boundaries Jul 18, 2019

Maria Piessis wears many hats. She is a photographer, graphic artist, art director, and set designer. She currently lives in Paris but I met her years ago when we were both living in New York City. Her work has appeared in Tidal Magazine, Stylist Magazine. To read the full article and pictures and links check out:https://www.supraendura.com/blogs/news

Allie Pearce On Pursuing All Opportunities Jul 10, 2019

This week we have the incredibly talented Allie Pearce. Allie is many things, she is a costume designer and stylist and has worked on various projects such as styling music videos for Japanese Breakfast, TV on The Radio and Mannequin Pussy, she has worked on series for refinery 29 and she is currently a costume designer on SNL. But that’s not all folks. She also is the designer and creative director behind her own line: Pearce. Allie is very interested in sustainability, natural fabrics, and zero waste. She has some amazing pieces that are very versatile and gender neutral. We got to talking about her path and how she found her way into her many professions.

Bonkosi Horn Of Freedom Apothecary On Trusting Your Instincts Jul 04, 2019

Happy fourth of July and welcome to this week's episode of Creative Conversations Podcast! I am very excited to have Bonkosi Horn on today. Bonkosi has just opened up Freedom Apothecary with her business partner Morrissa Jenkins. Freedom is a clean beauty + wellness + self-care boutique. Bonkosi wanted to create an inclusive space and support women-owned businesses. I have been following the launch of this business and I am so excited about this space and really love the thoughtfulness they have put into the design. I met Bonkosi a few years back when she was involved in the inception of the Local, a Lululemon concept store that focused and featured local Philadelphia brands. This has been an amazing space and has hosted many thought-provoking events. I was so excited to sit with Bonkosi and talk about her experience and what really lead her into creating these transformative and immersive spaces.

Nicole Rossi Of Texture Florals On Planting The Seeds Of Change Jun 27, 2019

This week on the show I have Nicole Rossi of Texture Florals. Nicole told me she was an architect turned floral designer and I was instantly intrigued. I learned about how Nicole first foray into florals with the FLWRY, a subscription-based floral CSA. After leaving architecture she decided to delve into florals for good and creates one-of-a-kind floral arrangements and installations. For photos, links and more on this episode check out https://www.supraendura.com/blogs/news

Angela Monaco On Growing Your Brand & Your Community Jun 20, 2019

We are so excited this week to have Angela Monaco on the show. We met a few years back at the Rad Girls awards, we were actually both nominated for 'Designer of The Year'. Neither of us won, but we got to chatting and I started to follow her brand. It was so great to hear about the evolution of her line and the curated and collaborative experience she has created with Ritual Shoppe. To get the full show notes, photos and links visit: https://www.supraendura.com/blogs/news

Jestis Deuerlein On Creating Space Jun 13, 2019

We have a great episode this week I got to talking with Jestis Deuerlein, of Done and Dusted. I happened upon the Done and Dusted studio one day at the Bok building and was blown away by their one-of-a-kind dusted backdrops. Done and Dusted specializes in creating custom photo shoot backdrops, wall finishes for retail environments and set design and construction. They have worked with some big clients like Anthropologie, free people, and Ikea, but they have also done some really cool collaborations with local photographers and designers. It was great to talk with Jestes about her business and brand and her love of creating spaces.

Daniel McRorie On Honing Your Craft Jun 06, 2019

This week we have an amazing artist, craftsman and serial entrepreneur: Daniel “Rickard Guy” Mcrorie. Dan grew up in Winnipeg Manitoba and from an early age, he was making T-shirts and repairing his shoes. He began working as a cobbler and then built and ran his own shoe repair and custom leather shop, which he ran all by himself. He, later on, moved to Brooklyn where along with running his own business he co-founded Knickerbocker Manufacturing. Along with being a craftsman, Dan is also an artist, his work has appeared in Vogue and Atlas Quarterly and he recently gave a talk at the MoMA during the ‘is fashion Modern exhibition. With all these amazing accomplishments Dan is an incredibly approachable and generous. I love picking his brain about manufacturing because he knows so much! I loved our talk about the ins and outs of running a business along with honing your craft.

Elissa Bloom On Mentoring The Next Generation Of Fashion Designers May 30, 2019

Elissa Bloom is a powerhouse in her own right. I know her personally, as she was my director when I was a part of the Philadelphia Fashion Incubator. PFI really helped me learn more about the business side of the fashion industry and Elissa was a great mentor to myself and many of the other designers who have gone through the program. Before the PFI Elissa launched and ran her own accessories business. It was great to sit down with her and talk about all she has done and learn about what it takes to make it as a fashion designer.

Antoinette Marie Johnson, Founder of Cohere, On Perseverance May 23, 2019

This week I sat down with the amazing Antoinette Marie Johnson, creator and founder of Cohere, a creative agency that specializes in cohesive storytelling in real estate, food, and hospitality. She has helmed remarkable projects such as the revitalization of 990 Spring Garden in Philadelphia, the Baltimore Harbor Market, and recently has branded a major initiative to increase food sustainability. What blew me away was that the inception of Cohere came out of a turbulent time. Johnson’s story is a story of perseverance, of hard work, and of success. She is a Philadelphia native, an urban planner, a creative, and a woman I very much admire. It was great to talk with her about her journey and passion. She has both grit and grace and a passion for sustainability.

Artist Carla Weeks On Trusting Your Instinct May 16, 2019

Welcome to the second season of the Supra Endura creative conversations podcast. We are so excited to kick this season off with a conversation with artist Carla Weeks. I got to visit Carla in her studio and learn about how she found her way into her craft. Carla’s artwork ranges from painting to murals to textiles. She has a deep understanding of color and shape and layers her motifs to make a cohesive collection. She works in her studio in west Philly her doggy Aggy, but also loves to travel and finds inspiration in the natural world.

What I Learn In The Fashion Industry, Part 2: The Next Five Years Mar 28, 2019

Welcome back to another solo episode with me, host Gabrielle Mandel. I talk about what I learned in the next five years working in the fashion industry. With my budding startup, Supra Endura, I applied and got accepted to the fashion business accelerator the Philadelphia Fashion Incubator. I go over what I learned and how I managed to grow my business as a solo entrepreneur. I also started to work for Urban Outfitters and began to teach at Made Institute. I talk about what it was like pitching and then executing collaborations with Urban Outfitters and The Wistar Institute. In 2017 I got offered a full-time design role on Anthropologie’s Home textile team and I talk about how I balance my full-time work with running my business. The episode is full of great creative business take aways and what it is like to really work in the Fashion Industry.

My First Five Years In The Fashion Industry Mar 21, 2019

Welcome to my first solo episode of Supra Endura: Creative Conversation. In this episode, I talk about my first five years of working in the fashion industry. After graduating at the height of the recession, I moved to New York with just an internship and a sublet. I chronicle what it was like working as a design associate at J. Crew, a technical jewelry designer at Rebecca Minkoff and my crazy freelance gig working for the Nicki Minaj and Adam Levine line for Kmart. I also talk about the beginning of Supra Endura. I want to share all that I have learned working in this crazy and fascinating industry. Spoiler alert, I quit 2 jobs with nothing lined up. While it felt crazy at the time, I knew I was unhappy and I trusted myself enough that I would figure it out. Each job I had taught me a new set of skills and strengthened my work as a designer. One of my first jobs ( it was part-time, but I am counting it!) was working for an independent designer who was a solo entrepreneur. Working with her really helped me understand how I could one day run my own business. It was great sharing this and reminiscing, I hope there are some helpful tidbits to help you with your own creative adventures.

Mid Season Teaser: The Creativity- Business Spectrum Feb 28, 2019

We have finally wrapped up the first season of Creative Conversation and have started to do work on the second. This is a short reflection of what I have learned so far along with giving you an inside peek on what is to come.

Naomi Stein Of Design Manifest Jan 10, 2019

This week we are so thrilled to have Naomi Stein of Design Manifest on the show. Naomi has an amazing design sense and makes every interior design project she works on picture perfect. Her style fuses modern and glamour with a hint of bohemian. When I first met Naomi, I was fascinated by the fact that she is self-taught. She joined her father’s contracting business, learned the ropes, and eventually began doing interior design projects. She helped grow the business into what it is today, and is seen as a tastemaker in the greater Philadelphia community. I loved hearing about her journey and what she learned along the way.

DC Boyd Of Neutral States Jan 03, 2019

This week we have on DC Boyd of Neutral States Clothing. Neutral States Clothing was born out of a desire to see knit and woven fabric come together in one garment. The main goal of Neutral States is to bring knits and wovens to a neutral zone where they can coexist together in a beautiful and complimentary way. DC designed and creates all clothing and accessories in Philadelphia who has been hand knitting for fourteen years. She is also the proud mother of two.

Pia Panaligan Of Humanitas Movement Dec 28, 2018

My guest today is my good friend Pia Panaligan. Pia has worked in a lot of different spaces within the creative community: designing, styling, art directing and producing. We got to talking about her career and launching her collection Senpai + Kohai which she ran with Melissa Choi. Along with working full time as a stylist, Pia decided to launch Humanitas Movement. With Humanitas Movement She has been putting together a diverse range of thoughtful events and talks focused on social impact. She has culled some of Philadelphia's coolest designers, makers, and collectors and wants to give them a platform to talk about complex ideas within the industry. It was so much fun to wit with her and talk about her journey.

Tim Eads, Artist At Large Dec 20, 2018

This week we are so excited to have the multi-faceted Tim Eads on the show. Tim Eads has worked as a graphic designer, art instructor, master printer, and artist for over 20 years. He was a Master Printer and Project Manager at The Fabric Workshop and Museum in Philadelphia from 2009-2015 and he’s called Philly home ever since. He currently works with talented artisans in his low-waste, sustainable workshop to bring his vibrant designs to life. I delved into his latest project of creating abstract wall art that he creates with tufting guns. It was an amazing conversation about how you can continue to evolve as an artist.

Ivy Thompson Of Visantine Dec 13, 2018

This week I am so excited to bring you a conversation with my close friend Ivy Thompson, designer and creative director of Visantine Collective. I met Ivy while we were both living in NYC. At the time, Ivy was dreaming about starting her own line, and I was at my first job in the industry and could not fathom going out on my own. Through the years we have become close friends and fashion business confidant. Ivy took some time to travel the world and work with indigenous artisans in both Peru and Indonesia. It is fascinating to hear what she has learned about the process of creating and her commitment to sustainable clothing. I admire her ambition and rethinking of what the fashion industry should be. I was so happy to get to sit down and do this interview. Ivy has so many great stories and insights and I wanted to share all these gems with you, my listeners.

Colleen Wyse Of The Philadelphia Trunk Show Dec 06, 2018

This week we have Collen Wyse on the show to talk about her business the Philadelphia Trunk Show. Colleen is one of the sincerest people I know, and she has really made it her mission to champion small, local designers. She hosts one-of-a-kind selling events that are also mini fashion shows and video presentations where she introduces influential Philadelphian’s to up and coming designers. I have gotten the chance to watch the magical experience Colleen creates. Before this Colleen worked at Vogue, In Style, and W Magazine and took those experiences and used them when she started her own small business. I also love this because Colleen demonstrates that you don’t have to stay in one lane, she has experienced so much in her life and each job got her to a new opportunity. I really loved sitting with her and talking about her evolution and all she learned along the way.

Nicole Haddad Of Lobo Mau Nov 29, 2018

This week we sat down with Nicole Haddad, founder and creator of Lobo Mau. Along with running her own business, Nicole has been an instrumental part in nurturing the Philadelphia design community. Whenever I step into the Lobo Mau studio I know I am going to see great friends, amazing hand-pressed screen prints and an exchange of ideas on how to excite the customer about clothes made locally in Philly. Nicole has been running her brand for over 10 years and is very committed to slow fashion. Over the last year, it has been exciting to watch Nicole’s brother, Jordan Haddad join the business and watch how this brother and sister team continues to grow and evolve their business I got to chatting with Nicole and I am so excited to share this exchange.

Alana Oates Of Llani Shoes Nov 21, 2018

Before I ever met Alana Oates, I was dazzled by her shoe collection: Llani Shoes. Some of my favorites from her collection are delicately embroidered slip-ons or shearling and cheetah haircalf moccasins that look so comfortable. Meeting her was also an absolute delight. Before launching her own line, Alana worked for some big brands where she learned how to design, how to work with vendors and how to create something her customers would love. She launched Llani with a Kickstarter and then grew the brand from there. It was great to hear how she figured it out and how much she values the relationship she has created with the craftsmen and women who create her shoes.

Rachel Ford on Teaching Creativity Nov 14, 2018

This week we got to talking with Rachel Ford, founder, and creator of Made Institute. Made started as a way for Rachel to teach sewing lessons out of her apartment and has grown into a full-fledged institute and working fashion studio. We chat about Rachel’s experience working in the fashion industry and her time learning couture techniques at the Philadelphia Opera. What drove Rachel to create Made Institute is her love of the craft of sewing and a desire to revitalize the independent designer scene in Philly. Rachel is so warm and giving and it is great to talk with her about her inspiring journey.

Veronica Miller Jamison On Finding Your Artistic Voice Nov 01, 2018

We sat down with Veronica Miller Jamison and got to talking about her art and how she found her way into her career as an illustrator. As a kid, Veronica was always drawing but just saw this as a hobby. She pursued a degree in journalism and ended up landed her first job at NPR. While working, Veronica realized she wanted to pursue fashion. She decided to pivot and went back to school for fashion design. It was during her graduate program, Veronica realized she actually just wanted to draw. She landed her first big client while still in her fashion grad program. After that Veronica really started to grow her business as an illustrator and has worked with some big clients: Hallmark, Marie Claire, and Bloomingdales. In 2019 she will have her first illustrated children's book out. Veronica also teaches at Drexel University and Made Institute. We got to chatting about creativity and how to grow your brand as an artist.

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