Today we’d like to introduce you to Sierra Lewis.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
My brand started as a means of self-expression. I’d recently relocated to Austin from New York City and I was in my 1st year of working a really demanding Special Education teaching position. On the one hand I was truly inspired by the change of pace the move to Austin presented in my life and, I was really fascinated with the intentionality of being a “bagless” city. On the other hand, I needed a way to decompress from the physical, emotional and consistent demand of teaching teeneagers so I turned to crochet. Crocheting minimal, stylish reusable bag alternatives to be exact. Before you knew it, I had so many bags I chose to open my Etsy shop, this was in 2017. I welcomed this creative opportunity because originally, I attended College and majored in Fashion Marketing many years ago. 17 year old me dreamed of owning her own boutique one day.
Fast forward to 2020 and my beginnings still inspire the New Origin Shop brand. We’re rooted in minimal designs that encourage our clients to look and feel their best while also reflecting on our consumptions as humans. With each piece designed, I want our clients to feel intentional, inspiring, comfortable and most of all stylish.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
There has definitely been challenges within this journey but, the obstacles are always worth it in the end. My biggest struggles often stem from myself. Self-doubt, not recognizing my talents and too harshly self-critiquing are the biggest. I often need to remind myself to be kind to my thoughts, to take a step back to recognize my accomplishments and to simply trust my judgment and vision.
The more I connect with other creatives and entrepreneurs the more I realize I am not alone in feeling this way. What’s important is how we navigate these feelings and not let it dampen our creativity.
To young women who are just starting their journey I’d first say congrats, you’ve already taken the biggest step. Secondly, now that you’ve started give it all you got 100% of the time. As long as you remain consistent, driven and passion fueled you’ll be able to successfully share your dreams with others.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about New Origin Shop – what should we know?
New Origin Shop was made to provide unique and affordable selections to shoppers who are eager to support independent makers and small businesses.
When I relocated to Austin, TX in 2017, the city sparked a revelation within me. People still believed in buying handcrafted, artisanal products. Products with a story—made by someone they could actually meet and talk to.
What’s unique to New Origin Shop is the modern-minimal aesthetic we pair with our fiber based jewelry, handbags and home decor products. 100% of the items under the New Origin Shop brand is handmade by me with assistance from my husband in our Austin based office.
We’re most known for our statement earrings. As a woman who often wears short hair, I typically turn to a statement earring to really highlight my facial features and to make a unique statement. I think that my love for this accessory really shows with our designs and resonates with a lot of our customers. When you wear a pair of my statement earrings, I want you to feel confident, bold and fierce—and to feel effortless while doing so. Comfort and style are essential, you’d be amazed how lightweight our earrings are.
Finding a mentor and building a network are often cited in studies as a major factor impacting one’s success. Do you have any advice or lessons to share regarding finding a mentor or networking in general?
Research, research, research! When researching, I use social media, local publications and the internet to look for opportunities that resonate with my interests, values, professional needs and brand aesthetic.
When networking, I’ve always found it most helpful to be professional, genuine to be willing to share a little about yourself (and business) and to be prepared with information and questions always.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.neworigin.shop
- Email: neworiginshop@gmail.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/neworiginshop
- Facebook: www.facebook.com/neworiginshop
Image Credit:
Celeste Boykins 1st photo
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