Pretty Birdie is an Elm Street business owned and operated by seamstress/designer Stephanie Teague. She uses sustainable and organic fabrics, new and vintage, to make clothing for not only local clients but also clients worldwide through her etsy site. Stephanie is a good example of a current business trend in the USA.
The older generation of Americans has seen the two-way dismantling of corporate loyalty-- to companies and to employees. The younger generation is realistic in knowing that they can't count on graduating from college and signing on to work for a corporation until retirement. Instead, many have transitioned to a model where they develop a product, service or skill and market it themselves. They take an idea from concept to completion. A global market is merely a URL or social network away.
Walking by Stephanie's shop at 612 South Elm Street, you see piles of fabric, two sewing machines and clothing racks filled with special orders-- many one-of-a-kind pieces waiting to be united with their purchasers. Stephanie is a self-taught seamstress who grew up in Charlotte making clothes for her Barbie dolls. Recently, her husband Sanders Trippe (who works at the Bass Violin Shop downtown) has started making rings and bracelets out of broken musical instruments and vintage melmac dishes. Stephanie and Sanders, working in concert, have a growing business that is winning awards and developing faithful followers, worldwide. Say hello to the 21st-century, mom and pop, global-enterprise model. Read more about Stephanie's business here. Don't plan on running in to browse on your lunch hour; her door reads, "by appointment only". Kudos to this 21st-century entrepreneur who sets her own schedule!
Speaking of going global, we're sharing this post with the world through Weekend Reflections.
Love this shot! Why don't you come enter it in my Weekly Top Shot meme? We're on Week #11 and I'd love to see you share with me! Here's this weeks' link: http_colon_//www_dot_theviewfromrighthere_dot_com/blog/?p=5812
Posted by: Madge | Sunday, January 08, 2012 at 02:53 PM