After graduating JPII, what did you do? University? Work?
After I graduated high school, I had to work full-time in order to live on my own and that was difficult trying to juggle an on-campus education with a full-time job. After a semester at MTSU, I decided I needed to go a different route with my education, so I went to American Intercontinental University which offers online courses. Overall it was a good decision, but it’s a lot harder than you would think to motivate yourself when there are no classroom constraints.
Why the fashion industry?
I knew that I loved all things fashion during high school and I was set on becoming a fashion merchandiser for a large clothing chain. I started college with that goal in mind, but after working several retail jobs, I found out that all of my managers had the degree that I was working on, from the same college. I knew that wasn’t where I wanted to be after graduating, so I changed my major to Business Management and Marketing. Even after changing my major, fashion was still a driving force in my life.
How did you get started in fashion?
I got started in “fashion” because my friends were always urging me to dress them or to share with them the latest trends or where the latest stores were to shop. After a while everyone kept saying, “You should really start a blog.” I toyed with the idea and about the time I turned 23, I did. Starting the fashion blog, A Brunette, was one of the greatest things I’ve done (so far). It gave me a creative outlet and a voice. I knew I wasn’t going to conquer the mainstream fashion industry and that has never been my goal. My goal has always been to stay surrounded by what I love, which is fashion.
I knew I needed to get out there and surround myself with like-minded people and places, so that was the second step. I created these opportunities for myself by networking and attending fashion events throughout the city. Anytime I ran across something on Facebook, I’d show up and introduce myself to as many people as I could. After doing that, people just seemed to remember who I was and I started to build a brand for myself.
A year after I started my blog, I started working at the front desk (customer relations) of The Tennessean. I knew a lot of the editors through all of the networking I had been doing and one day I mustered up the courage to give out my business card. With that one act of courage, the world shifted. They loved my blogging voice and asked that I write a plus-size style column for them once a month.
If you were talking to a student interested in a future in fashion, what advice would you give them?
No matter what your dreams are for the future, as long as you work hard, are nice to people, and you don’t give up on your dreams, you will go far. The fashion industry is not an easy one to break through, so start now. Get involved in as many fashion related things as you can and once you go to college, the same holds true. Whatever city you end up in, go out there and network with the fashion community in that area.
What message do you like to portray in your fashion style?
It’s important that no matter what you wear, you feel confident. My personal style is ever evolving and for me -- clothing can almost be a costume. When I get up every morning, I ask myself, “What role do I want to play today? Who do I want to be?” and I go from there. A lot of my personal brand (A Brunette) is promoting self-love and body confidence because no matter what your shape and size, you can dress to feel beautiful.
What are you working on now?
I have been given the most amazing opportunity with Gannett, the owners of The Tennessean and Nashville Lifestyles. We were tasked with creating a product that targeted the under-40, Nashville creative and what we came up with is called 12th & Broad. 12th & Broad is a new way to experience Nashville’s creative and entrepreneurial culture through events, collaborations, and content. It’s unlike anything Gannett has invested in and it’s been incredible to see this project turn from post-it notes to an actual start-up with corporate backing. Much like writing for The Tennessean, this opportunity is another one that I made for myself by working hard, being nice to people, and following my dreams. Anything really is possible.
What are your goals for your future?
I would have to say that the opportunities are endless. I do know that going forward I will continue writing my personal blog, writing for The Tennessean (as long as they will have me) and building on my career, while we continue to build 12th & Broad. I still don’t know what “I want to be when I grow up,” but if the present is any indication of my future—I’ll be happy wherever I land.
How did JPII help prepare you for life after high school and college?
I have to say that leaving JPII, I was more than prepared for what was to come. A lot of my college courses seemed to repeat or build on a lot of the things I had learned in high school. I also feel like JPII built a kind of social foundation for me by requiring that we participate in extracurricular activities and that we get out there and mingle (House Games, Advisory Groups). Making us socialize and put ourselves out there at such a vulnerable age was a priceless experience that I wouldn’t have gotten at any other school at the time.
Accomplishments, awards, recognition you have received?
*A Brunette (My fashion blog) has been featured online in Seventeen and Lucky Magazine.
*I am a style blogger for The Tennessean with a column featured once monthly.
*I am a founding member of The Nashville Style Collective—which is a group of elite Nashville Style Bloggers
*I am a founding member and Audience Engagement Coordinator of 12th & Broad – A Gannett Company targeting the creative Nashvillian.
After I graduated high school, I had to work full-time in order to live on my own and that was difficult trying to juggle an on-campus education with a full-time job. After a semester at MTSU, I decided I needed to go a different route with my education, so I went to American Intercontinental University which offers online courses. Overall it was a good decision, but it’s a lot harder than you would think to motivate yourself when there are no classroom constraints.
Why the fashion industry?
I knew that I loved all things fashion during high school and I was set on becoming a fashion merchandiser for a large clothing chain. I started college with that goal in mind, but after working several retail jobs, I found out that all of my managers had the degree that I was working on, from the same college. I knew that wasn’t where I wanted to be after graduating, so I changed my major to Business Management and Marketing. Even after changing my major, fashion was still a driving force in my life.
How did you get started in fashion?
I got started in “fashion” because my friends were always urging me to dress them or to share with them the latest trends or where the latest stores were to shop. After a while everyone kept saying, “You should really start a blog.” I toyed with the idea and about the time I turned 23, I did. Starting the fashion blog, A Brunette, was one of the greatest things I’ve done (so far). It gave me a creative outlet and a voice. I knew I wasn’t going to conquer the mainstream fashion industry and that has never been my goal. My goal has always been to stay surrounded by what I love, which is fashion.
I knew I needed to get out there and surround myself with like-minded people and places, so that was the second step. I created these opportunities for myself by networking and attending fashion events throughout the city. Anytime I ran across something on Facebook, I’d show up and introduce myself to as many people as I could. After doing that, people just seemed to remember who I was and I started to build a brand for myself.
A year after I started my blog, I started working at the front desk (customer relations) of The Tennessean. I knew a lot of the editors through all of the networking I had been doing and one day I mustered up the courage to give out my business card. With that one act of courage, the world shifted. They loved my blogging voice and asked that I write a plus-size style column for them once a month.
If you were talking to a student interested in a future in fashion, what advice would you give them?
No matter what your dreams are for the future, as long as you work hard, are nice to people, and you don’t give up on your dreams, you will go far. The fashion industry is not an easy one to break through, so start now. Get involved in as many fashion related things as you can and once you go to college, the same holds true. Whatever city you end up in, go out there and network with the fashion community in that area.
What message do you like to portray in your fashion style?
It’s important that no matter what you wear, you feel confident. My personal style is ever evolving and for me -- clothing can almost be a costume. When I get up every morning, I ask myself, “What role do I want to play today? Who do I want to be?” and I go from there. A lot of my personal brand (A Brunette) is promoting self-love and body confidence because no matter what your shape and size, you can dress to feel beautiful.
What are you working on now?
I have been given the most amazing opportunity with Gannett, the owners of The Tennessean and Nashville Lifestyles. We were tasked with creating a product that targeted the under-40, Nashville creative and what we came up with is called 12th & Broad. 12th & Broad is a new way to experience Nashville’s creative and entrepreneurial culture through events, collaborations, and content. It’s unlike anything Gannett has invested in and it’s been incredible to see this project turn from post-it notes to an actual start-up with corporate backing. Much like writing for The Tennessean, this opportunity is another one that I made for myself by working hard, being nice to people, and following my dreams. Anything really is possible.
What are your goals for your future?
I would have to say that the opportunities are endless. I do know that going forward I will continue writing my personal blog, writing for The Tennessean (as long as they will have me) and building on my career, while we continue to build 12th & Broad. I still don’t know what “I want to be when I grow up,” but if the present is any indication of my future—I’ll be happy wherever I land.
How did JPII help prepare you for life after high school and college?
I have to say that leaving JPII, I was more than prepared for what was to come. A lot of my college courses seemed to repeat or build on a lot of the things I had learned in high school. I also feel like JPII built a kind of social foundation for me by requiring that we participate in extracurricular activities and that we get out there and mingle (House Games, Advisory Groups). Making us socialize and put ourselves out there at such a vulnerable age was a priceless experience that I wouldn’t have gotten at any other school at the time.
Accomplishments, awards, recognition you have received?
*A Brunette (My fashion blog) has been featured online in Seventeen and Lucky Magazine.
*I am a style blogger for The Tennessean with a column featured once monthly.
*I am a founding member of The Nashville Style Collective—which is a group of elite Nashville Style Bloggers
*I am a founding member and Audience Engagement Coordinator of 12th & Broad – A Gannett Company targeting the creative Nashvillian.