Launching my business

Since the age of seven, I have been sewing buttons on shirts, hems on pants, and even bows on belts, thanks to the fact that my mom was a sewing teacher for 35 years. I learned firsthand the importance of dedication and passion for this craft. As a student at Florida State University, I majored in Fashion Merchandising with a minor in Business Administration. Upon graduation, my family was devastated with the news that my mom was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. However after intense chemotherapy and radiation treatments, the doctors gave us the uplifting news that she was eligible for surgery.

When my mom found out she was sick, I knew that I wasn’t completely content with the current work that I was doing, but knew it would defintiely be a challenge trying to start my own company. One day I started thinking to myself how I was simply just following the path that others made for me instead of creating my own path.

With all the realizations I had about life now that my mom was sick, I knew I needed to do what I love the most. When I left to go to Arizona for my mom’s surgery, I delibirately didn’t bring almost five complete outfits, just so I was able to fit my sewing machine and all my supplies in my bag. For a true fashionista like myself, that is true dedication at it’s best. I spent every single day and night with my mom, where I turned her hospital room into my make shift sewing studio. All the nurses, doctors, and staff were really intrigued by my ideas and designs.

After the initial surgery was successfully completed, the doctors told us the news that my mom was cancer free and it most likely wouldn’t return! I realized that life was incredibly short and that tomorrow is never a guarantee. I want to do what I love and deeply love what I do. That’s why I started my own company called Haute Fan Couture. I design and sew custom made to order dresses that young ladies can wear to their favorite sporting events. All the materials used are put together based on the college and/or professional team’s colors that one desires.

Being one of four children that all graduated from FSU, college football has always been a huge part of our lives. I wanted something girly, unique and team spirited, but still stylish. I knew I would never find a collegiate sundress of any kind so that’s when I decided to design and make my own and soon Haute Fan Couture was born.I am exceptionally thrilled to make others happy and know that they feel good in my designs.

Advice for others

Never forget the underlying passion and reason you began this venture. Often times, people lose focus and allow money, fame, and/or greed to get the best of their professional careers. It is imperative to remain grounded regardless of your success. Measure your success by the happiness you possess, not the income you are making.