Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in clothing but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Cassie Davis, Founder of Dizzy Days Design, located in Austin, TX, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
Dizzy Days Design is an apparel company focusing on fun, comfortable statement pieces -- your everyday streetwear basics with a "Dizzy" twist. I design each product myself and sell everything from shirts, shorts, and hats to stickers, fanny packs, and hoodies. My favorite part of selling everyday statement basics is that anyone can wear them (my customers are all over the map in terms of location, age range, and style). That's a huge piece of why I started Dizzy Days in the first place.
I hope my customers see things in the shop that makes them happy AND that they can easily incorporate into their regular wardrobe. That's how you end up wearing what makes you happy every day!
Tell us about yourself
Growing up, I was always drawn to fashion and would make mood boards out of Allure magazines, rip up my jeans, cut up my shirts, and bedazzle anything I could get my hands on. In middle school, I found a portable sewing machine in the Harry Potter closet under my grandma's stairwell. My dad taught me how to use the machine in a day. For years after that, I would make costumes and leotards for my ballet lessons, find thrift shop jeans and dresses and alter them to fit, sew patches onto bags I was bored of, and make wallets and purses for my friends.
In college, I had less time to sew, but I started picking up graphic design work and began printing shirts and hoodies at my internships. As I defined my personal style and my design work more, I started to get frustrated by what I saw in clothing stores. I like to dress pretty casually, and all the women's clothes were so uncomfortable! Plus, the amazing fashion wasn't anything I could wear to school or work. And then all the guy's stuff was so boring! I found myself thinking, I wish I could just make things that I (and my friends) would be comfy in and have fun wearing. So I did! :)
Outside of it just being super fun to run Dizzy Days, building this brand has really become an extension of my worldview. It's shown me firsthand that the bigger you live your life, the bigger other people will be inspired to live theirs. Authenticity begets authenticity, and I believe we all have a responsibility to pursue the things that light us up, to really show up in our lives. I started Dizzy Days originally to show up for myself and create the things that made me happy, and now look! My customers show up to their lives with more excitement and joy every day, feeling more themselves than they did before just by putting their Dizzy Days on. That inspires me to keep doing what I'm doing.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
Dizzy Days just launched in 2022, which was a huge milestone in and of itself! Outside of fully launching, I'm super proud of the foundation I'm laying for this to be a scaleable and sustainable business in the future... I love the brand, what it stands for, and the joy it's bringing into the world.
What's one of the hardest things that comes with being a business owner?
For me, it's been time management! I work a full-time job in addition to running Dizzy Days. I'm constantly reminding myself that it's ok if something doesn't get done when I thought it would, if I need to log on late at night, or if my Instagram post isn't perfect. There are only so many hours in a day, and realistically I can only give so much to so many things at a time.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Ask for help! Whether you ask a partner for advice or outsource a task to a freelancer or employee, delegation is your friend.
- Celebrate the little wins. Your vision is big, and you'll get discouraged if you don't pat yourself on the back along the way.
- Always be patient and kind, both with yourself and your customers. (And with everyone in life, in general!)
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://www.dizzydaysdesign.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dizzydaysdesign/
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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