Meet Angela, the founder and designer of Mamachic Co (link to mamachic.co)., a company committed to making sustainable and beautiful accessories geared towards new mamas, but worn by all. Angela completed the Factory45 program with me last year and has been a great friend and resource. Her first signature piece, the Mamachic Scarf, is an all-in-one reversible scarf made with sustainable bamboo fabric and strategic snap buttons; it can be used to nurse, burp and swaddle a baby, then seamlessly transition into a wearable scarf, top, headwrap, or even skirt. Angela travels the country full-time with her actor husband and two small children (isn't that just amazing?) and needed something like the Mamachic to embrace the minimal, eco-friendly and stylish lifestyle she leads — so she decided to create it herself.
Read MoreStories of Earth-balance with Mikaela of Ruth & Ragnar
Meet Mikaela, my friend and fellow Factory45 entrepreneur (applications are open for the 2015 program!) who just launched her colorful, funky kidswear shop, Ruth & Ragnar on Tuesday. Mikaela Wallinder Clifford has combined a background in humanitarian work with her life-changing experiences as a mother to create a socially responsible apparel company for kids.
Read MoreMeet Katie - Pattern Maker/Designer Extraordinaire
I wanted to take a minute to introduce you to my uber talented friend, Katie J Mattern, the creator of Waypost Craft a handmade leather goods brand and the pattern maker for the first Bicycle Wrap Skirt. She has put a lot of hours into the Bicycle Wrap Skirt project with me, and has been instrumental in the development of the prototype and the first sample skirt, for which I am oh so grateful. Katie just launched her website a few weeks ago, which you really must check out, and is preparing for the Porter Flea market in Nashville in December. When I'm not monopolizing her time (just kidding!), she can be found making beautiful handcrafted leather bags, journals, and other items. She studied Fibers at SCAD (Savannah College of Art and Design) and is heavily influenced by southwestern colors, patterns, weavings, and traditional methods of craftsmanship.
I've asked Katie a few questions so that you can get to know her a little bit better. Here are her answers in her own words.
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