We recently connected with Telor Henderson and have shared our conversation below.
Telor, so excited to have you with us today. So much we can chat about, but one of the questions we are most interested in is how you have managed to keep your creativity alive.
It’s funny because I never saw myself as a highly creative person, but I am a self taught hatter and began hat making about three years ago during the pandemic, so the majority of my journey has been based on trial and error, and part of keeping creativity alive has been to find ways to create solutions when faced with challenges both as an entrepreneur and as a creative. There is also the challenge of producing hats that are trendy yet unique. I love to experience life in a way that stimulates the senses and want those who come in contact with my work to have that same experience in some form or fashion, so that’s ultimately what keeps those creative juices flowing.
Great, so let’s take a few minutes and cover your story. What should folks know about you and what you do?
I am the owner of Asey (Ah-Say) Apparel that specializes in bespoke hats of all sorts, ranging from straw and felt fedoras to ball caps that are made to fit you and your personality. The best part about what I do and the hat making industry in general is the freedom to create and express without boundaries. I also get to interact with and meet some of the most amazing people, which I have to admit I enjoy almost as much as the creative process. I don’t like to speak too much on future plans until they’ve been fully executed but I will be expanding beyond just hats and diving into custom shoes and apparel. So be sure to stay tuned!
There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?
Ironically, I believe my stubbornness is one of the greater qualities that I have. I’m too stubborn to give up when I’m determined to do something and have to see things through no matter how difficult it gets. I am also pretty observant with excellent attention to detail which has a huge impact in the way I create, but the most effective quality that I have is my ability to remain poised and patient and use challenges as opportunities to learn and grow. The best advice I can give to anyone just starting out is to have fun, understand that your work may not resonate with everyone, and never stop learning and evolving. Most importantly never stop creating!
What do you do when you feel overwhelmed? Any advice or strategies?
Take breaks! It is imperative that I take a step back and walk away from projects when I need to. Sometimes designs don’t turn out the way I intended, and sometimes a customer may not like something I did that I thought was brilliant (shocking I know lol). Creating in a calm state allows me to be more productive as opposed to being frustrated and overwhelmed. Some people work well under pressure though, so find what works for you in those moments.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.aseyapparel.net
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/asey_apparel
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AseyApparelllc
