17 Jul From Fashion to Solar, with apologies

I feel guilty for not posting to the Austin Eco Network lately (or as I committed to even) but the truth is, that I feel guilty for something much more — feeling unworthy of being Austin's eco fashion girl.

The economy tanked at various times for various professions — but of the organic wholesale fashion business that I was involved in, the crash happened to happen right at the height of my career. It didn't just crash on me, it harmed every one of my fashionably organic friends.  I watched many of them go out of business, a few walked away, a couple more were propped by their investors and rode it out a bit, and a couple (arguably the smart ones) closed shop to grow medical marijuana in other States.  

But one thing I did was hold on.  Some say bravely, others passionately, and some say stupidly.  I'll own all three sentiments.  But what I want to clear out is why and where I am now.  I had been too embarrassed these past several months to really get out there and continue participating in the Eco and fashion community that I have thoroughly enjoyed being a part of and love and respect in Austin — so whether I regret posting this tomorrow or not, here is my peace.

During 2010, my fashion business had slowed to a trickle… around 90% of the boutiques that we were selling to had gone out of business and we were having issues collecting funds from the few that remained.  I'll argue that a wholesale fashion business model is one of the most expensive to maintain if all isn't going well.  Since the wholesale and tradeshow world had gone so well for many years, we had not had the time to pay much attention to the custom-client world so when business stopped, it just stopped.  I was still getting paid jobs for speaking gigs, which was nice – but that wasn't keeping the office open, nor was it allowing for me to work with the fair trade factories abroad — which is my passion above all else.  Chasing bills had also made volunteer work very difficult which hurt my heart, and all of that stress was affecting my family life.  The small blip of a boutique I had wasn't really for me since the hours were keeping me from spending time with my son.

So I stopped.

And started volunteering and working intern positions in random jobs to see what else I may want to do in my life.

I inquired about firefighting and taught fashion summer camp at the Dougherty Art Center — but it wasn't until I volunteered at Imagine Solar that I found it.  

I kind of cold called Imagine Solar knowing that a friend of a friend worked there.  She said they needed help filing and I couldn't have been more excited.  Filing — a job where I could really help – but not have to make life altering decisions! (really — if you've ever owned a business for 14 years, then I put money on the empathy you must feel).

But in the summer of love and filing, I also had the opportunity to take their PV Solar classes.  If any of you know me, you might ask — wait — I thought you already did solar – for years – in Nicaragua.  Well, sorta-not-really.  What I did in solar down there was beebop around and introduce people who did solar to people that needed solar.  I was super fortunate enough to tool around on other people's solar projects with Groupo Fenix, Joseph Marino, and Suni Solar.. but aside, I was the bouncy red head that was looking for any excuse to borrow a Local's motorcycle for the day and not afraid of wiring red to red and blue to blue.

And with more exciting story in-between — I landed back in Austin in April of 2011 to open a new little business called Texas Indie Solar.

And it has been so much fun.  Ridiculous, awe-inspiring, has me sprinting out of bed in the morning fun.

So that's my peace.  While I'm not joining the glamour of Mercedes Benz Fashion Week this year, I am taking the opportunity to get jiggy with Austin's very own Fashion Week this August (which includes my birthday!) to put some love back into the fashion of my art.  Whether anyone wants to actually wear it, I won't really be concerned.  

But you just may be able to plug into it — stay tuned.