Avaleigh Baugh’s Stories, Lessons & Insights

We recently had the chance to connect with Avaleigh Baugh and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Avaleigh , thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: What do you think others are secretly struggling with—but never say?
Many people are quietly battling fears they rarely admit. These fears are rooted in the pressure to be original, the anxiety of creating something and being scared of what the final outcome might reveal about them. They struggle with the lack of space or confidence to express themselves honestly, so their real thoughts stay tucked away behind practiced smiles and careful words. Overthinking becomes their constant companion, turning even small decisions into spirals of “what-ifs” and imagined failures. And beneath it all, there’s a deep, lingering loneliness, an ache they hide because they believe everyone else has it figured out, not realizing that most people are carrying the same silent weight.

Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Avaleigh Baugh. I’m 19 years old, and I’m the creator of Fiinsky, a brand that was born from feeling different and needing a place to put all the emotions I never knew how to say out loud. Growing up as an only child in Georgia, I never really fit in, but art was the one thing that always made sense to me. It became my way of understanding the world and myself.
Fiinsky is my heart in clothing form. Every piece is hand-painted, often with detailed portraits that carry stories, emotions, and moments people want to remember. Nothing is printed or mass-produced. My hands touch every inch of what you see. Some of my pieces have even made it into stores in Italy, which still feels surreal for someone who started all of this alone in their room.
I travel to New York City sometimes to meet people, grow creatively, and learn from my dad, who’s an artist there. Those trips remind me why I started Fiinsky. To create something honest, something human.
I also take custom orders through my Instagram, where people can reach out, share their ideas or personal stories, and together we turn them into wearable art. That connection with people is what inspires me the most.
Right now, I’m focused on expanding Fiinsky and continuing to create pieces that make people feel seen, understood, and a little less alone. Just the way art has always done for me.

Okay, so here’s a deep one: What was your earliest memory of feeling powerful?
The earliest time I remember feeling powerful was when I was about three or four years old, realizing I could read people’s emotions almost like a superpower. Even at that age, I could sense what others were feeling. The tension in a room, the shift in someone’s tone, the unspoken things adults thought I couldn’t understand. That awareness made me act mature much faster than most kids my age, and it also sparked a desire to create art that people would react to emotionally. I wanted to mirror back the feelings I picked up on, to make something that touched others the way their emotions touched me. Understanding what was really going on, long before I had the words to explain it, was the first moment I recognized a kind of inner power.

What fear has held you back the most in your life?
The fear that has held me back the most is the belief that I’m not good enough. This feeling started early in school when teachers often dampened my creativity instead of encouraging it. Their criticism, whether direct or subtle, made me second guess my ideas and shrink myself to avoid standing out. Over time, I became less confident and more shy, worried that anything I worked on would be judged or dismissed. That fear of not measuring up has followed me into adulthood, shaping how boldly I express myself and how willing I am to take risks.

Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
One of the biggest lies my industry tells itself is that you have to be greedy and hold onto everything you earn in order to build your brand. I’ve never believed that. I think it’s important to give back and use what you gain to support people who are struggling. There’s this mindset that generosity makes you weaker or slows your growth, but in reality, everything comes back to you when your intentions are good and you’re not selfish with your success. The idea that you must hoard resources to thrive is one of the most damaging myths out there.

Thank you so much for all of your openness so far. Maybe we can close with a future oriented question. If you laid down your name, role, and possessions—what would remain?
If I laid down my name, my role, and all my possessions, what would remain is my kindness and the love I have for people who are going through hard times. Those parts of me don’t depend on status or material things. They are who I am at my core. What would stay is my friendship, my loyalty, and the way I show up for the people I care about. Even without anything attached to my identity, those pieces of me would still stand.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://fiinsky.com
• Instagram: fiinskyy