Meet Coral Wedel

Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Coral Wedel. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Hi Coral, you’ve got such an interesting story, but before we jump into that, let’s first talk about a topic near and dear to us – generosity. We think success, happiness and wellbeing depends on authentic generosity and empathy and so we’d love to hear about how you become such a generous person – where do you think your generosity comes from?
My generosity comes from gratitude. Gratitude for my family, my professional colleagues, and for my fortunate circumstances. Working in education at the community college level brings about encounters with people of varied experiences and backgrounds. Students are usually looking to improve themselves through their choice to pursue education. Whether their pursuit is for improvement in economic status, job skills, or simply their own mindset there is ambition in that choice. Bearing witness to the many challenges students face in seeking an education as well as my own experience with it has inspired a lot of self-reflection. My own path has been shaped significantly by others, and my life’s direction could have been very different considering the circumstances from which I came. There is often a razor-thin line between what is and what could have been as life moves us forward. I think of the impact on my life that the generosity of others has had in shaping my path. I hold gratitude for each of these moments that catapulted me to where I am now. My deepest gratitude is to my Mother, who raised me through circumstances that were less than ideal, yet possesses the most generosity of any person I know. She has always been my most important role model and what I measure success against. As a first generation college student, I was charting a course against the odds when I chose to pursue an esteemed private art school education in fashion design. She facilitated that dream and still backs my pursuits at each challenge, for which my gratitude can never fully be expressed. I am also a Mother. Motherhood is my most important honor, and one that I consider to be my most generous act. This generosity also comes from gratitude and is the best way I have found to express my thanks to my Mother.

Thanks for sharing that. So, before we get any further into our conversation, can you tell our readers a bit about yourself and what you’re working on?
I wear many hats in life and that requires an assortment of outlets for my creative expression. My namesake brand and entrepreneurial debut, Coral Marie was launched in 2011 during the early years of my parenting journey. The brand is a consciously handcrafted slow fashion collection and custom clothier; on a mission to balance aesthetics with function in order to create strong design that is crafted responsibly while also developing meaningful relationships through community support. While it has gone through many iterations since its inception, it is currently undergoing a revision after a pandemic-related slowdown. This season of my life has been geared toward facilitating fashion education in Southeastern Ohio when in 2020 I become the founding Program Manager of Fashion Design & Retail Merchandising at Hocking College. Heading up the creation of this program, its curriculum, and administering it has focused heavily on providing access to the industry that I desired when I was growing up here. Interwoven into this pursuit has been the reinvigoration for continuing my own education in my field. This came to fruition when I become the first in my direct family lineage to obtain an advanced degree. In the Summer of 2023, I obtained a Master of Professional Studies in Fashion Management from Parsons School of Design at The New School. This accomplishment is a capstone in the conversation of generosity because it required much sacrifice and support. My gratitude goes to my husband and children for this one more than anyone else. I will continue to pay it forward for years to come.

Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
For generosity to be enduring it has to take the approach of a marathon rather than a sprint. For me that requires boundaries to make sure I don’t overcommit myself to giving beyond my capacity. Self awareness has been the key for me personally. Developing skills in boundary setting, knowing my own worth, and creatively problem solving are all areas I struggle with and also rely on to keep myself balanced. Having a support system in place and having the bravery to call upon them when challenges arise is probably the single most important thing I have done over the years to keep me on track.

Before we go, any advice you can share with people who are feeling overwhelmed?
The most challenging aspect of living life as a sensitive and creative person is feeling all the surrounding emotional vibrations so deeply. We live in an increasingly connected global society, bringing extreme highs and lows into everyday life. Finding strategies to stay connected without getting overwhelmed by it all challenges me daily. Each day I choose what to let in and what to block out which is a constant evaluation process. My heart and mind get pretty exhausted from that so taking space to replenish is essential. Taking the time to explore my surroundings, my inner self, and the people I love are my best strategies for dealing with that overwhelm.

Contact Info:

Image Credits
January Heuss Photography LLC, Jordan Reed, and Hocking College

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