Today we’d like to introduce you to Tina Washington.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Tina. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
My business kind of started itself. I worked as a seamstress for a few prominent local companies creating custom gowns or costumes for businesses. Then, I did some interior design work for a major fashion house in the Dallas area, but once I became a mom, I decided I did not want to leave my kids so I started taking in my own clients. At that point, a lot of my work was built from word of mouth, because I did not have the budget and could not afford to advertise like most businesses. My first project for a client was a cousin of mine who wanted me to make her a prom dress, and after making her prom dress, many people inquired about my doing their prom dresses. This led to doing more work with other students who needed prom gowns, as well as their parents wanting alterations and small house designs done for them.
Eventually, I decided to start making my own little personal items to sell in between doing my custom and alteration work. I started making hats and bags out of some of the scrap material that was left. People thought it was very unique and different. A few years later, a friend of mine was choreographing a routine for a theater production at a theater that was looking for an in-house wardrobe designer. As a seamstress, I provided extra skills, because I was able to not only pick pieces but was able to create/alter them as needed. I became very in demand in the theater industry because of my combination of sewing skills and fashion design wardrobe styling skills.
Due to the exposure of doing some shows, I was also recognized by some people who were doing fashion shows, which opened a door for me into the world of doing hair and fashion. Combined with many years of experience, people always ask me for tips and tricks of how I did what I did, etc… so at that point, I was inspired to start teaching sewing classes. I set up a few private lessons with some of the adults that were interested in learning. One Summer after teaching a class, I had encountered a person who was over a youth recreation center and asked if I could come and start teaching the youth in the summer during their camps. This solidified me as an entrepreneur who provided quality work and taught others how to do the same thing. I decided to make my business official and go get my DBA. This provided more business because, as they listed me in a log for my services. Last was the start of my own website to gain more exposure.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
I have had some serious challenges and obstacles within my journey of becoming an entrepreneur. Just as I was beginning to level out my business in this very competitive industry, I was married to a very abusive man and the abuse became more than I could bare and I snapped, and I killed my husband. Needless to say, I went to prison for it. While living with him, like most battered women, I didn’t feel I had a way out. I lived in a mode of basic survival reacting to each incident. I had no self-esteem or respect but lived in shame. It’s ironic to me that I started a business to help women feel beautiful, but I felt so ugly and worthless. In prison, I surrendered my life to Jesus Christ, and He healed me, making me a brand new women that I like and respect today. This empowerment/vision is the heart of Flipped Kouture and the driving force that has kept me going in the face of the prison/convict stigma, through the days of intense physical pain as Carpal Tunnel set in my hands and wrists, and during times of financial crisis when I was unable to work and my current husband (a wonderful man of God) carried the load. I had to start completely over but was not fretful, because I realized I had a good past foundation with a few clients that did stay in contact with me. The felony means I must work harder to re-establish myself as an entrepreneur and in creating new relationships with people. While incarcerated, my credit went bad, so I had to re-establish credit not only with local vendors but with the credit bureau to a good status. It has been a one-day-at-a-time journey that God and my family and Godly friends have helped me through. The good people in my life are my treasure.
It is the heart of why I go back into prisons as a volunteer and why I have written a devotional for women…. We all face hard situations and bad mistakes, but that doesn’t have to be what defines us. Our journey of self-discovery, healing, and empowerment for a greater good can and must define who we are as individuals and business professionals. We are a part of a whole and Flipped Kouture is all about the “Flipped” (changed) life… a fashion business to build beauty from the inside-out!
We’d love to hear more about your business.
Flipped Kouture is a company that was inspired by my transformation in life – “Flipped” = transformed, and my Kouture is a unique way to create custom, one-of-a-kind pieces, based on the needs of the client. I also take old clothing and turn them into new items that is more fashionably in demand. I also offer customized sewing classes for adults and children from beginners to advanced students who are interested in starting their own business.
Taking something and flipping it into something else is very personal because when you have experienced something and you want to change to be something better, you don’t lose everything from the old… you just build upon it… restore it and make it better (“new”). I am proud of my company because of our unique combination of services that we offer. Typically, a business does one of the things I do, but we offer a combination of things in a different and unique way. My unique ability and diversity in the skill level that I have from… home designs… to costume, wardrobe, and every day fashions… but especially the heart and soul that drives the business sets Flipped Kouture apart in the industry.
What are your plans for the future? What are you looking forward to or planning for – any big changes?
One of the main goals is to obtain a space to house all the used garments I have in stock just waiting to be given a second chance/life, and where I can have the room to meet with clients to create one-of-a-kind unique pieces. Right now, I work out of the front room of the house but my work often takes over the living room and has taken over the garage! Also, space and equipment for a classroom for the sewing/business lessons is desperately needed.
Another goal is to be able to provide jobs to women who have been incarcerated at the store and use the store’s profits to fund the ever-expanding prison and re-entry ministry efforts. To sew into other’s lives the building skills that have helped me to succeed. Flipped Kouture is a business that is all about helping to transform lives and thereby, help transform the community.
Another goal is to get published some activity books I’ve written that teach children how to write, draw, spell, and do math while learning to sew. I have published a poetry devotional journal which I’m hoping for funds to provide these books to prisoners. I will also be working on my story in a book, as well as a small documentary film. I’ve started doing motivational speaking encouraging men and women about starting life over and being productive and successful citizens in their community. And I would love to one day have my clothes/books in some retail stores such as Walmart, Joann fabric stores, Barnes and Noble book stores, etc. I will keep on dreaming and reaching.
Contact Info:
- Website: www,flippedkouture.com
- Phone: 2147084342
- Email: flippedkouture@gmail.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/flippedkouture/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/flippedkouture
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/FlippedKouture
- Other: https://www.amazon.com/Poetesss-Alabaster-Box-Personal-Devotional/dp/1728800986
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