Iana
I feel like many businesses have had to do that in the last few years because the pandemic changed so much. I saw that you’re doing men’s clothing, is that new?
Abby
We just launched the men’s line in December 2022. So that’s been a long time coming and it’s taking off great! I’m really pleased to finally add that to our collection.
Iana
Your company donates to organizations like The Aruna Project and Alabaster Jar Project. How do you choose the ones to work with? There are so many out there. How did you narrow it down to the ones that you want?
Abby
They’re just so many and they’re all doing such amazing work, so it’s not an easy decision. Because I am a small business and I want to really hone in the maximum bang for my buck, I try to collaborate locally because the vibe of my brand is very grassroots. I try to collaborate with organizations wherever I am, so when I was in San Diego, I partnered with an organization out in San Diego. Now that I’m Cincinnati based, there are a couple of different organizations here locally. Every life matters, so I focus on making a dent in one life, rather than getting overwhelmed by the vastness of the issue. I found that not only can we give back financially when you’re local, you actually can volunteer and collaborate with them in a more intimate way.
Iana
And what drew you to this cause?
Abby
I saw a film in Mumbai, India, where young women were living in a brothel, just not doing anything else with their life, not even seeing the light of day, and it got me. I haven’t had a lot of personal, first hand experience, thank God, with the issue. But it just compelled me, and I’m a very passionate person about freedom and each person’s individual freedom. I knew as an entrepreneur, whatever business I would start down the road, that would be the cause we connected to.
Iana
It’s so interesting that you say that you work locally, because it’s not something that I would tend to think of as a local problem, or as something that still happens in this country. So the education part of it is what’s fascinating to me, because you don’t think, oh, Cincinnati is a big source of human trafficking. But it is…
Abby
Both San Diego and Cincinnati happened to be the top ten cities in the US, and there are a variety of reasons why. On my blog, I do posts to be more informative and educational on the issue, so I won’t dive too deep into that right now. But because of exactly what you said, it’s such an intense issue, and a lot of people don’t want to dig too deep. It’s easier to just know that it exists, but kind of pretend like it doesn’t.
And so I thought, what better way than to slow down fashion (which, human trafficking runs rampant in that environment anyway) and become part of the slow fashion movement, where we watch piece by piece being made right here in the United States. Where everyone’s getting paid a fair wage and then full cycle, give back to the cause. For some people whose hearts are still compelled toward the cause, yet they don’t have the time to volunteer or get more invested, they can shop that way and they’re giving back.
In addition to clothing, I’m passionate about writing and meditation, so I want to incorporate a beautiful journal to accompany it. So just a few other things at my sleeve that are in the works. But I think it will all fall under the umbrella of Tillage.
Iana
So what’s surprised you the most about owning a small business?
Abby
There has been more than one thing, but I would say, as with everyone, no one could have predicted the Pandemic to come along. So that forced further creativity, but also just the organization. I love that personal connection with people that are potential customers and the education piece. So to realize how organized you have to be as an entrepreneur and small business owner and really maximize every single moment, you have to pour into the business in an efficient manner.
Iana
Organization, that’s a key word for me as well, because if you’re not organized, it’s going to cause a lot of problems down the line. It definitely makes things a lot easier when you’re doing it. So today is International Women’s Day. Is there anyone that you want to shout out today?
Abby
My mom has been a huge influence for me. She ran an entire nonprofit before in her younger years, where she housed 200 marginalized women in society that would be homeless otherwise. So just to have such a badass mom to watch growing up, who at a time when a lot of moms are stay at home in my community, really showed me what grit looks like in a tangible way. So I’m going to go ahead and give one to my mom right now! But there’s so many women out there! I just say, be brave and go for whatever is inside of you…whether it’s small, it doesn’t have to be an entire business, but just whatever is speaking to you right now.
Iana
Abby, thank you so much for joining us today. And thank you for supporting our next issue. It’s only because of people like you that we can actually create our magazine. So thank you so much for being a part of it.
Abby
Forward to, like thanks so much for having me. Happy national women’s day. You too.
