What It's About
An architect sews up a creative side hustle ... and never has to go to the mall again.
Business Model
Skills Required
Complexity
Profit Potential
Words of Wisdom
Setting prices posed a bit of a challenge for Adaezé. Attempting to be highly competitive, she priced her items lower than other sellers, but after taking into consideration the price of her materials and the time she was putting into making them, it just wasn’t a good fit.
So, she started looking at her customer base. Who was she looking to sell to, and what could they feasibly afford? What Adaezé found is that her styles definitely attracted a more adult audience. Most of her customers appreciated classic, but stylish, designs and silhouettes. And more importantly, they were willing to spend a little extra if the outfit was right.
Fun Fact
For inspiration, she spends a lot of time reading magazines or blogs and examining people’s garments when she’s out and about. She wants to see how they’re made, and what she would do differently to add her own twist to a piece.
Speaking of restrictions, there’s no hard and fast rule for where Adaezé sources her fabrics. It really depends on the design she has in mind and the inspiration behind it. However, she leans towards the highest quality materials she can get, while keeping her prices affordable.
Notes from Chris
Episode 819
Adaezé Cadet learned to sew when she was a little girl. Most afternoons, evenings, and weekends were spent with a needle and thread in her hands, learning how to make different pieces of clothing from scratch. It was more than just a childhood hobby, it was her first true passion. As she grew older, however, sewing fell by the wayside. It was replaced by studies, her social life, and a burning desire to become an architect. By the time she’d graduated and began her first real job, sewing was just a distant memory. But a few years later, Adaezé relocated to join her company’s Los Angeles office, where she learned that they took part in a yearly charity event. The top firms in LA come together to put on a fashion show with garments made by their employees. The money generated from the sales goes to the cause Free Arts for Abused Childen. Seeing an opportunity to do some good and get to know her new colleagues better, she volunteered to be on the team. They worked together for months, and the project reignited her passion for sewing and making clothes. After the event, Adaezé invested in a sewing machine and started making clothes for herself and her friends. She’d create tops and skirts and accessories, then give them away as presents for birthdays and Christmas. Over time, she began receiving requests to make different garments for her friends, and even friends of friends. She had her own unique style, and people loved that the clothes were handmade. She knew that people who were already using Etsy favored handmade goods, so it seemed like a prime testing ground for her business. It also had the added bonus of helping her keep costs down. She could refer any of the requests she received to one central hub, where they could see the garments and place orders. Adaezé called her store House of LVA. House of LVA is still very much a boutique operation, with profits of around $6,000 a year. Because this is a side hustle for her, she’s had the freedom to let it grow organically before taking larger steps that could potentially occupy more of her time. Her goal is to grow the income while still keeping it manageable enough to work around her job as an Architect. She loves the idea of spending her days designing timeless hotels, and her evenings creating timeless garments. Adaezé is sewing up her ideal future.MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:
- House of LVA: Check out Adaezé's full line over on her website
- Workforce Expert Creates Empowerment Consultancy: After feeling mistreated at work, this workforce development expert regroups and plans her escape—Akilah is also Adaezé's twin sister!
- Fashionista Starts Boutique After Getting Fired While Pregnant: Upon losing her job, this Washington, DC government analyst and fashion lover didn’t panic… she started a side hustle
- Aussie Stretches Out with Online Store for Tall Women: Tall women everywhere rejoice as an Australian’s side hustle brings new meaning to ‘top shelf’
- Clothing Boutique Burns Down, Rebuilds to 4 Locations: This contractor went from flipping refurbished clothes on the side to starting her own boutique. After the store burns down in a fire, she carefully reads her insurance policy to discover she’s entitled to an additional $30,000 payment
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