We recently connected with Brianna Bruderlin and have shared our conversation below.
Brianna, we’re thrilled to have you on our platform and we think there is so much folks can learn from you and your story. Something that matters deeply to us is living a life and leading a career filled with purpose and so let’s start by chatting about how you found your purpose.
When I started the Fox and the Mermaid I did not have a completely clear vision of what I would ultimately create. I came from the reality television world where the projects I worked on didn’t always leave me feeling great, which is why I ultimately left. When I set out to start my own company I knew I wanted to work in an ethical way and make a positive contribution, but what that would look like I didn’t yet know. When I started the Fox and the Mermaid it was my first time working for myself and a lot of the time I was just winging it. Looking back on it now I’m amazed that it worked out the way it did.
I always loved different cultures and faraway travel, but if you asked me back then, I would never have guessed my career would take me to India. It was when I took my first work trip to meet my manufacturers that it became crystal clear to me that I wanted to do whatever I could to uplift the women in rural India. The best way to do that seemed to be through meaningful employment; supporting women in management positions who are also mentoring the next generation of designers and CEOs.
It hasn’t been easy. In northern India there are still not a lot of great opportunities for women. The factories are almost exclusively owned by men who then pass the positions of responsibility down to their sons. Management and even pattern-making jobs (also coveted) almost always go to men while women are still expected to stay home and take care of the family, whether they want to or not. But things are slowly changing and every year I find more young women stepping into positions of power. I make it a point to seek out and meet with every woman-owned or run company I can find and the majority of my clothing is made by female-led businesses. Clothes probably won’t change the world, but helping to give women the opportunity to be their own bosses and mentor other women makes me feel like I am making a little difference and gives meaning to what I do.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
I have always been a creative type which led me to an exciting career as an Executive Producer of documentary and reality television. As a producer, I traveled the world which cemented my love of other cultures as well as all things bohemian. But after 18 years of traveling the world to tell other people’s stories, I decided to channel my creativity into my own passion—creating my own artisan clothing brand.
My company, the Fox and the Mermaid, specializes in block printed and hand-embroidered clothing with a focus on vibrant colors, handwoven fabrics, natural pigments, and bohemian style. Everything is made using traditional techniques and nothing is mass produced.
When I started I never would have guessed what it would grow into. I did not follow the traditional path for a designer so I definitely have struggled with imposter syndrome. I did a lot of learning on the job and made many costly mistakes. But today my designs are in hundreds of boutiques around the US as well as a handful in Canada, Europe, and even as far away as Vietnam.
And this is what makes the Fox and the Mermaid special to me. All of the products have a unique history and a meaningful connection to the past which in turn makes those products much more than just another bag or dress. The colors, historical symbolism, and centuries-old techniques passed down by the artisans’ ancestors, as well as the love put into them, are what makes each item special.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Resourcefulness: As a television producer, each job was completely different from the last. It could be a new format or a completely foreign subject matter such a home renovation, a singing competition, or medical emergencies, so a large part of the job was quickly becoming an expert on something you previously knew nothing about. The job also required constantly putting out fires. Something unforeseeable ALWAYS went wrong and as a producer you have to be able to figure out how to fix it while a hundred people who are on the clock stand there waiting. I think that mindset is extremely helpful in the business world where technology, the economy, and trends are also constantly changing. I’ve learned that you have to always be pivoting. It’s scary and stressful, and definitely not for everyone.
Determination: I believe whole-heartedly that my absolute refusal to give up is the main reason I have a business today. There were so many times when continuing did not make a lot of sense, but I never once considered quitting. I think the main reason so many businesses fail is because people panic and give up too quickly.
Thick skin: No one is as “honest” as a stranger on the internet. Not everyone is going to love what you do, which hurts and can feel very personal, but if you let the occasional negative comment on your social media or customer return destroy your confidence, you will never enjoy your success. You can’t be everyone’s cup of tea and that’s okay.
My advice to someone who is early in their journey is to not invest too much money up front because more likely that not, your end product will be different from what you initially thought it would be. Expensive photography, SEO, and FB ads will likely be wasted in the early stages of a new business. I think its best to learn how to do all the jobs yourself before you start farming them out to others.
Thanks so much for sharing all these insights with us today. Before we go, is there a book that’s played in important role in your development?
Almost every night when I go to sleep I listen to an audiobook on manifesting and the power of attraction. It’s so cliché that I am a little embarrassed talking about it, but I have found it really helpful, especially when I am feeling pessimistic. I especially love the book, “Get Rich, Lucky Bitch” by Denise Duffield Thomas. I have probably listened to it 100 times, It never gets old for me. She talks about the importance of setting measurable, not vague, goals, the importance of not devaluing your products by trading them rather than receiving money for them. Most importantly, she is really good at explaining why you should never wait until you are ready to start building the life of your dreams. She also provides tools for money tracking which are both helpful and inspiring.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.thefoxandthemermaid.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefoxandthemermaid/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thefoxandthemermaid/
