We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Taylor Bratton a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Taylor, so great to have you on the platform. There’s so much we want to ask you, but let’s start with the topic of self-care. Do you do anything for self-care and if so, do you think it’s had a meaningful impact on your effectiveness?
Hello, thank you for having me! I’m genuinely excited to share insights from my entrepreneurial journey. This question resonates with me deeply. Juggling multiple responsibilities as an entrepreneur, I would often prioritize work over self-care until my best friend shared an eye-opening episode from “The Skinny Confidential” podcast. This introduced me to the world of podcasts, providing invaluable insights for a better life. What’s common among these successful individuals? They prioritize wellness, and I took this to heart. No more excuses for being ‘too busy.’ I block time throughout the day for myself, starting with mornings that have become a self-care oasis. A routine centered on well-being is my secret to maintaining a positive headspace throughout the day. Tip #1: Skip the immediate phone check when you wake up; this time is for you, not response mode. Instead of scrolling, here’s my morning routine:
- Meditation
- It’s your ticket to a zen mindset –you can nurture a mindset that’s open and non-reactive, letting you watch thoughts and emotions without getting tangled in them. My go-to meditation is from the podcast “purely being” (the journal entry/meditation episodes are my fav)
- Read
- The book “The Daily Stoic” provides a page-a-day format that brings scripts from stoic philosophers into the contemporary world. Focused on practical wisdom, virtue, and resilience, it serves as a constant reminder for tackling challenges and leading a fulfilling life.
- Journal
- Journaling is your personal guide to clarity. Write it down, process experiences, and discover a deeper connection to your thoughts and feelings.
- Gratitude
- My favorite gratitude journal at the moment is “The Five Minute Journal” by Intelligent Change.
- Clean
- How are we expected to have our s*** together when our space isn’t together?
This consistent routine reaffirms my commitment to self-prioritization, setting a positive tone for the day. It may sound like a lot, but it typically only takes out 30 min-1 hour of my morning, which I think is very doable for everyone. The impact is profound – it allows me to reflect in the morning, providing clarity for my next steps.
Let’s take a small detour – maybe you can share a bit about yourself before we dive back into some of the other questions we had for you?
Growing up, I struggled with confidence, clothing became my tool for self-expression. I thrived on standing out creatively and garnered compliments not just for the outfits but the confidence to be unique. Studying Fashion Design expanded my possibilities, steering me away from mainstream fashion. Aware of the environmental impact of fast fashion, I found my purpose: crafting special, recycled, one-of-a-kind pieces to instill confidence and raise awareness. Upcycling became my solution, and Hippie Hued was born.
At Hippie Hued, our essence lies in empowering individualism and embracing sustainability. We live by design principles that veer away from seriousness, finding beauty in what others discard. Thrifting for materials isn’t just about fabric; it’s a search for unique patterns, textures, and silhouettes that, when blended in new pieces, create something striking. We play with colors, patterns, and textures, crafting pieces that draw eyes and elicit “wow” reactions. Our creations aren’t your typical, cookie-cutter styles; they’re eye candy, speaking volumes about individuality.
Upcycling offers limitless creativity; each piece inspires me uniquely. Our drop cycle model releases all new pieces created within a month, amounting to over 800 completely one-of-a-kind designs in the past three years. Each purchase represents a personal connection; our clothes speak to you on a personal level rather than appealing universally. And when you feel that connection with your outfit, you feel a new sense of confidence. We aim for pieces that resonate deeply.
In our three years, I’ve lived extraordinary experiences, from hosting my first fashion show to creating clothing for beloved music artists. These moments allowed me to connect with the incredible faces behind Hippie Hued’s support. Recently, we introduced custom orders, opening the door to crafting deeply sentimental pieces. For instance, we’re working on a custom wedding piece high school sweet hearts. The custom piece will be created from the dress she wore from homecoming the attended together. How freaking special is that?
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
Starting a business is never about feeling 100% ready; it’s more about learning along the way. I’ve realized that waiting for perfection often blocks progress. The key is to put your work out there, accepting feedback to refine and improve along the journey. Overcoming my perfectionist tendencies has been a pivotal lesson.
Another invaluable lesson is to step out of the online bubble. Building connections with individuals who share similar career goals and engaging with the community purchasing our clothing has been transformative. Moving beyond the digital realm and showcasing our clothes in person has significantly enriched our brand. Stepping out of comfort zones and connecting with like-minded individuals opens up boundless possibilities.
Running a business can feel isolating, but finding a network of people who understand the journey is immensely beneficial. Also, it’s crucial not to drown oneself in work. I’ve been there myself, allowing work to consume my personal life, which isn’t sustainable. Prioritizing personal time is vital. Working round the clock drains energy and actually hampers productivity. By establishing a balanced schedule with breaks, more can be achieved efficiently. Recharging one’s social battery and experiencing life are crucial for optimum performance, especially for creatives.
All the wisdom you’ve shared today is sincerely appreciated. Before we go, can you tell us about the main challenge you are currently facing?
The primary obstacle I’m currently facing revolves around growing an upcycling business. Crafting each unique piece demands substantial time and effort. Presently, I work alongside one other seamstress/designer, striving to produce as much clothing as possible each month. However, the process is laborious. Unlike traditional fashion brands that produce large quantities of a single design in factories, our approach is to upcycle, which has proven challenging to implement in factories due to its novelty.
At our current production capacity, sustaining a livelihood solely from this business model is difficult. However, I remain determined to expand this upcycling business. I’m actively seeking local seamstresses to join our team and help create more upcycled pieces. Our mission is to make upcycled pieces the norm while remaining true to our core values. Despite facing numerous rejections and doubts about the feasibility of this mission, I feel it in my gut that upcycling can become a successful business. Our planet needs it. We are producing way too much. And need way too much. My creativity isn’t solely focused on financial gains; it’s aimed at leaving a positive impact on the world.
Contact Info:
- Website: Www.hippiehued.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/hippiehuedthelabel?igsh=ZGNjOWZkYTE3MQ%3D%3D&utm_source=qr
- Other: Tik tok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hippiehued?is_from_webapp=1&sender_device=pc
Image Credits
Photo of musician (LSDream) in pants we made taken by photographer Matt Winkelmeyer. Runway shot shown in collage taken by instagram @kanthanclips
