Episode 208: Learning The Hard Way, with Sarah of Deco Denim

Welcome to Clotheshorse, the podcast that loves denim but hates jeans.  It’s complicated, okay?

I’m your host, Amanda and this is episode 208.  My guest this week is Sarah, owner, designer, all of the things behind Deco Denim.  We’re not really here to talk about denim this week per se, so if you’re looking for some great (and depressing) facts and information about denim, I recommend you go back to the incredibly comprehensive denim series I did early on in Clotheshorse, with denim designer Michelle. Start with episode 11. You will never look at jeans the same way again.

This episode is more about what it is like to work within the fashion industry and what it looks like to leave it (sort of).  One of the questions I receive via email and DM most often is “I feel stuck in the fashion industry (or retail).  How do I escape?” And so, from time to time, I am trying to feature different people who made that transition and what it was like for them. One thing I have learned as I talk to others about their experiences leaving the industry is that the path out may be different, but it’s always kinda scary and definitely not easy.  Lessons will certainly be learned the hard way for many of us. That doesn’t mean it shouldn’t happen.  And actually, it’s important to not let that fear keep you trapped.  While today’s episode really focuses on leaving the fashion industry, it can apply to any career path you have been following.  I still think it’s crazy that we are (in theory) expected to figure out what we want to do for the rest of our lives when we are in our late teens and early 20s.  Like what? I’ve been so many different Amandas since then!  And data suggests that the average person will change careers 5-7 times during their working life! That’s not jobs…it’s careers! So if you feel like you are ready for change (for the first time or even again), hopefully my conversation with Sarah will inspire you to get out there and do something different (even though change is scary and often difficult).

Before we jump into that conversation, let’s talk about merch for a minute. Specifically Clotheshorse merch.

Many of you have been asking for Clotheshorse merch for years. It’s an issue I have turned over and over in my mind. By now, you know how I feel about merch and promo tees. And I didn’t want to be making more stuff for the landfill. There are companies that print podcast merch on demand, paying a cut to the podcasters. And for many shows, it’s a revenue stream that is more successful than Patreon/subscriptions because it’s really difficult to get people to pay for content. No judgment against those content creators, because the struggle to get paid for your work is REAL and has definitely made me sad/hopeless at times. But I know that those merch companies don’t have values that align with mine.

After SO MUCH thinking and research, I have decided to offer iron-on transfers that you will be able to use on secondhand tees, bags, whatever fabric thing you have lying around. My thinking was that by adding a transfer to one of these items, it might get even more wear/use and stay out of the landfill even longer. Yay!

About all of it:

★ The iron-on transfers are printed in the US using direct-to-film technology by Ninja Transfers. I even checked the Glassdoor reviews for this company to ensure that they weren’t a bunch of a jerks. The transfer is softer and more durable than a vinyl transfer. You can easily iron them on with a home iron (you will receive instructions with your order). They can also cover existing screenprints.

★ The stickers are printed in the US by Sticky Brand using eco-solvent ink in its LEED certified facility that runs off of 100% carbon free & 78% renewable energy. Sticky Brand repurposes excess materials into artwork and clothing. The company plans to transition to zero landfill waste by the end of this year. The stickers are made to stand up to weather, the dishwasher, and the sun.

Remember, neither of these items are without impact. I did my best to mitigate it, but no purchase is ever perfect. Both items include plastic elements (like most screen print inks and stickers). Furthermore, we can’t forget the shipping and packaging. So think carefully before making your purchase.

Preorder ends on 8/1 and items will ship out as I receive them. Go place your order at clotheshorsepodcast.com (or use the link in the show notes)

If the fact that I am doing this disappoints you/makes you want to stop listening, I understand. This was not a decision made lightly and there were many stress stomachaches along the way. It feels weird to me but the reality is that I have done 1000s of hours of work for free over the last few years and I’m trying to cover some of the expense of bringing information and education to all of you. Nothing has made me more aware of the amount of labor and time I give to this community every week than transitioning to working for myself and billing by the hour.  There are definitely times when I am answering questions or helping someone with a school project on sustainability when I am reminded of “woof, I really should be working for money right now.” It’s hard for me to imagine a day when Clotheshorse will be my only job (and I suspect that is an unlikely future) but I do like to think about all of the cool outreach and education I could do, along with even more in-depth episode of Clotheshorse, if I weren’t also working 40 hours a week on another job.  Maybe some day, maybe not. But perhaps merch will take off some of that pressure.  It’s still too soon to tell.

Okay, that’s all about merch.   Now let’s get down to the main event…let’s meet Sarah!

Unfortunately we are still dealing with some transcription issues.  The good news: you can see the transcript while streaming on Apple Podcasts. You can also find this episode with captions on YouTube!

Thanks to Sarah for spending some time with us and sharing her story.  I hope that it resonated with you, maybe got you thinking about what you could do next, unless you’re super happy and content with your job right now, which is awesome! Maybe you’ll be able to share Sarah’s story with someone else who is looking for a change but is super scared or doesn’t know where to begin.  If you have left fashion and want to share your story for a future episode, drop me a line via email ([email protected]) .

Don’t forget to give Sarah a follow on Instagram. I’ll share her information in the show notes.

The last thing I’ll say before we end this episode: never forget that the personal is political.  Meaning, your personal stories and experiences not only shape your own views and values, sharing them can help others understand your views and values, and maybe even open their eyes to something new and important.  You might think that one bad job you had is depressing or embarrassing, but it actually matters.  And sharing it with others might actually help them see what’s wrong with their current workplace or recognize that they deserve better or even motivate them to make a change. In fact, I believe that sometimes we have to hear other people’s stories in order to fully see and understand our own lives.  I was talking recently with friend of the pod Susan Massey, and she mentioned how much she loves reading memoirs.  And I was like, “me too!” We both agreed that learning other people’s stories has helped us cope with trauma, even sort of release the shame that often comes with trauma.  This is so random, but I remember reading back in like 2000 that musician Elliott Smith was a survivor of child abuse…and it made me feel so much stronger and less ashamed of the abuse I experienced as a kid. I found myself thinking “well, if Elliott Smith survived this, and people love him, he’s so talented and special, then I’m okay, too. And it wasn’t my fault that happened to me.” 

Not every story that inspires and motivates you, helps you see something important about yourself…not every story has to be as brutal as child abuse.  It can be leaving a dumb job or trying something new and learning it the hard way.  It all helps. I mean, even listening to Sarah talk about issues she had with production and what she learned from it…well, that might help someone listening to this episode who is a small business owner themselves. Or thinking about starting their own business.

That’s the thing about our experiences: no matter how mundane they might seem, they have value.  And even if you have felt like people don’t listen to you (trust me: been there and done that for a long time), there are awesome people who DO want to listen to you.  And that’s your community. THIS community.  I have always wanted Clotheshorse to be a platform for people who are usually unheard, like myself. But my hope is that this practice of sharing our stories, of reaching others with our experiences, that this extends far beyond Clotheshorse and out into the world around us.  Communities and movements are built by sharing, by revealing ourselves to others.  Let’s keep doing it, even when it feels weird.  I promise someone is listening.