Why I started Katy Celeste
Starting your own business is hard. Why do it? I’ll try to answer that question in this first blog post of my new business, Katy Celeste, LLC.
In short, life is hard, isn’t it? I decided in mid-life that there’s no time like the present to say screw it to doing anything that’s not authentically me, anymore. Everything’s hard, so why not leave my mark the way only I can? I don’t know how long I can make it work, financially, but if it works out, I’ll be glad I took the risk. If it doesn’t, I’ll start over again with something else, like I’ve done so many times.
My work life has been a winding path of constant change from bridal alterations, to nonprofit fundraising, to HR, and other seemingly unrelated things, especially for someone with a college degree in Dance. I tried to balance doing things I am good at with making money, and maybe making my family proud once in a while. Don’t forget being a present, responsible mom, conscientious community member, and inspiring role model for the next generation of women entering the workforce. When you really think about what we all feel pressure to achieve in life, it’s a lot. I gave it my best shot and I think I did pretty ok actually, until…burnout.
That’s right, I said it, I’m a burnout. I think we need to talk about it more. A lot of people burn out in their own unique ways, and they or you may not even realize it. It’s a sneaky feeling that creeps into your life unnoticed for a while, disguised as, “a really hard day,” that turns into, “a challenging few months,” and then, “what year is it?” And it can happen even though you have a great job, life, family, and all the things in the balancing act described above. There are a lot of reasons, but I’ll refrain from making this about that. I’ll tell you why starting this business was the next step I chose.
Authenticity, and changing the world pretty much sums it up.
I felt like I was trying to play roles to meet other peoples’ expectations and needs, and I overdid it spectacularly. I lost myself. I realized I didn’t even really know how to focus on myself and my needs and happiness. Sure, being selfless is a virtue. The world would be a better place with more people willing to sacrifice their own needs to help others, but not at an unsustainable level. Sure, I did a lot of things just for me and I don’t regret a thing. I’ve just learned some valuable lessons about how much I need to balance what I give to others with how well I take care of myself.
Despite the ever-changing job titles, life phases, and marriages, sewing was a always a present part of my life. I never get tired of it, it’s always in demand because few have a lifetime of experience doing it, and it provides instant gratification, which is refreshing after managing data, newsletters, signups, and emails. I use all my senses, become one with the fabric, and fully focus on the one thing in front of me. I’ve always clearly been a creative, artsy person, so designing costumes and bespoke tailored clothing gets me going. By combining imagination with technical skill and mindfulness, I can produce custom clothing that is completely unique and attention-grabbing. Needless to say, I genuinely love it, which makes it an authentically me thing to do.
But don’t think I’m done being a people pleaser. I definitely appreciate the effect it has on other people, just with a better balance than I had before. This is where changing the world comes in. I am proud of the difference I made in many peoples’ lives in my other professions, but there’s something special to me about the impact my custom made clothing has on my customers.
There’s something fascinating and exhilarating that happens every time I see someone come out of a changing room in clothing that was custom made or altered to their size, shape, and style. I call it the “custom fit happy dance.” Sometimes it’s small and subtle, but it’s often one of the most joyous dances you’ve ever seen. It often includes deep, confident squats, oozie wiggles, raising of arms to the sky in victorious liberation, and big sighs of relief, followed by a confident strut when worn in public. That’s the most gratifying thing of all. Speaking as a trained dancer, this phenomenon is also the most authentic movement you’ll see someone do, and I wish you could have seen the way my son released his inhibitions in the Halloween costumes I made for him, just like my mom did for me. Making clothes and costumes for people is truly my love language. It’s my way of making the world a better place one happy dance at a time.
Wearing clothes that represent who you are and don’t restrict you from doing what’s genuinely you is life-changing, and doesn’t usually happen in off-the-rack clothes made in “standard” sizes, disposable synthetic fabrics, cookie-cutter designs that the fast-fashion industry sells us at low, low prices. Trust me, one pair of well-made, custom fit, tailored jeans will be the only pair of jeans you ever want to wear, and they’ll be worth the investment required to help a woman-owned cottage industry small business like mine survive.
Please visit my “About” page and my “Bio.” for more about the mission behind Katy Celeste, LLC.
