I have a confession for you. When I first started getting serious about my clothing line a little over two years ago, I felt like a total impostor. I had been a mom and out of the “workforce” for seven years and while I knew a lot about how to make clothes, I knew virtually nothing about the business of getting clothes made (big huge difference.) Sourcing, patterning, production, sampling, all of it was new and incredibly intimidating to me. In fact, it scared the crap out of me. Every time I tried to make any kind of progress I would hit a brick wall. The clothing industry is a tough cookie to crack. Stubbornly archaic and in many ways almost aloof, you wouldn’t believe how hard it is just to get someone to work with you. When I would finally find someone who was willing to give me a chance, the hours up to meetings were spent wracked with anxiety. The truth was I didn’t really know what I was doing, and I was afraid they would figure that out and I’d be laughed out of their office. When I was a kid and didn’t feel like I could do something my mom used to tell me to fake it till I felt it. So that’s what I did, I’d march right in there and pretend that I felt calm, that I felt like I belonged there, that I knew what I was doing. I didn’t. Not at all at first. I watched closely, I paid attention, I learned the right questions to ask, I made lots of contacts, and more mistakes. Every time I had to do something new, I went through the same sweaty palmed feeling of being an impostor again. But the thing about stubbornly sticking with something that you believe in is, sooner or later you won’t be doing something for the first time any more. You’ll go to a textile show that you’ve been to before and you meet with people you’ve been working with for a year. You’ll know that you’re supposed to bring your business ID and your fedex account number with you. You won’t wander aimlessly trying to figure out where to start, you’ll just dive right in. You’ll know the drill when you’re speaking to suppliers, and filling out forms. You’ll know what you’re looking for and what to ask, what to avoid and what to focus on. You won’t feel the need to explain yourself and you’ll realize that most of the people are genuinely nice.
I’ve always believed that if you put your mind to it, you can learn anything. I mean, everybody had to start somewhere not knowing what they know now, and if they could learn it, so could I. This was sort of my leap of faith into that theory, and do you know what?
I was right.
I remember the first time I met with someone, I drove straight home and told Craig, “This isn’t going to work. I don’t think this is going to work.” To which he replied, “Don’t give up, never give up.”
I’m so glad I never did.
Cori, thus post is so inspiring! I can’t believe how far your clothing line has come and I have no doubt that you will make it big! Can’t wait to see what’s next for you.
cute & little
My sister felt like this about writing. She just published her second book. Yay for strong women who follow their dreams! This is a trailer for her book. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JBei5Nj3LAk
My sister felt like this about writing. She just published her second book. Yay for strong women who follow their dreams! This is a trailer for her book. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JBei5Nj3LAk
You are inspiring. Keep going, even after you’re where you wanted to be!
So proud of you lynners!
Thanks for sharing this -loved getting a glimpse into the long journey and hard work behind your beautiful line!
You are an inspiration– to think that you have accomplished this in in just 2 short years!!!! And balancing wife, mom, family—- I think we will be seeing you sometime on Project Runway!!!!!
I’m getting ready to start student teaching next week and this was the perfect blog post for what I’m feeling! Thanks for being real! :)
Love it – so perfectly sums it up. I am so happy that there are great examples of strong independent women who show that you can do anything you set your heart on and that it doesn’t have to mean that your family mean any less to you (quite the opposite!). Keep moving forward ;)
This is the perfect blog post for me right now! I am currently faking it until I feel it! You have put a pep in my step today!
This is so encouraging to me! I started my own business this fall, after 6 years of “playing with” the idea of becoming “a real designer/seamstress”, and I have dealt with that imposter feeling so many times! Thank you for reminding me that there is hope even when I feel like I know absolutely nothing and I’m in over my head. Yesterday I started draping my very first custom-designed wedding dress. The draping process had several roadblocks, but by the end of today day I had my first couple of pattern pieces drafted onto muslin, and they are a beautiful sight! :) :) :) I am so excited that I discovered your blog tonight. I love your style, and I love how family-oriented you are. May your continuing journey be full of joy, learning, and laughter! :) :)