Today we’d like to introduce you to Sierra Lewis.
Hi Sierra, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
In May 2017, I launched New Origin Shop on Etsy. I started with a few surplus crochet bags I had on hand due to my overzealous crocheting hobby. Later that year, I attended my first pop-up craft show where I received such a warm reception that it gave me more confidence in my brand.
After a few more shows in 2018, I expanded my offerings to include fiber-based and brass-based statement earrings, handbags, and home decor. I continued the business as a side hustle while working full-time as a special education teacher.
In August 2019, I began to collaborate with other makers in my growing network and explored selling wares outside of my own brand.
In October 2019, I was accepted to join Caravan Co-Op—a brick and mortar co-op retail space. My time there further vindicated that there was an appetite for my brand and supporting small businesses.
In November 2019, I decided to pursue New Origin Shop full time, leaving behind a steady paycheck and benefits for the uncertain world of entrepreneurship.
By the end of 2020, I had supported 69 brands—53 of those were women-owned businesses, 63 of those were value-driven, and 14 were Black and POC-owned.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
No, it hasn’t been a smooth road—but I’m grateful that it’s not as bumpy as it could be. I was lucky enough to start slow, with my business as a hobby/side hustle. There was lower pressure to sell because I had a steady paycheck to fall back on. Even then, there was an unexpected internal struggle that stemmed from within. Self-doubt and overcoming the vulnerability of sharing my art with others was (and remains to be) one of the biggest challenges for me.
As I grew into the role of entrepreneur, those internal struggles were multiplied when I had to take on more roles properly. I now had to juggle taxes, accounting, marketing, outreach, customer support, SEO, and so much more. Many of those things I wasn’t confident in doing myself—so it has been an ongoing battle to push through the doubt and get things done for the sake of my business.
And without the steady paycheck to fall back on, I feel the pressure to sell, sell, sell. I would love to say that there have been resources to rely on, but that’s another struggle. It’s been pretty difficult to find assistance as a small business owner—especially in these crazy times.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about New Origin Shop?
New Origin Shop is an online lifestyle shopping destination that lifts up small businesses and makers from marginalized communities. It has become an ambassador of sorts—between independent makers and a market that’s eager to support small business.
I have worked to make it much more than just another online store. New Origin Shop is a space that shares the stories of the indie makers and creatives that populate the shop. I don’t want to merely resell the products I curate, but I want to use my growing platform to amplify the voices behind the products I sell.
These products and makers are the backbones of my business. I depend on the products that I make and curate to bring inspiration and joy into all aspects of my customer’s daily routines. From jewelry and hair accessories to skincare products and home decor—all products have a contemporary and minimal aesthetic. Also, I prioritize products that use natural and sustainable ingredients and materials. Because of this philosophy, it is easy for my customers to fit our products into their lives.
I believe that New Origin Shop is giving my audience an easy way to buy from trusted, high-quality, independent makers. Likewise, I serve as someone in the maker’s corner that focuses on getting more eyes on their brand—and their story.
In other words, I focus the audience’s attention on makers that share their values. There’s no shortage of indie makers available on the internet. If you go on a site like Etsy, it can be downright overwhelming with the amount of choice on the site. Alternatively, I curate brands that share my company’s mission and aesthetic. Because of this, I think New Origin Shop is solving the need of making it easier to shop small.
What do you like best about our city? What do you like least?
One of the very first things that attracted me to Austin was the people. The sense of community here is what I like best about the city. I can always count on seeing a friendly face at an event or a show of support from another Austin business owner on social media.
The thing that I would love to see improve is the resources available for artists and small business owners. For someone like me, who wants to have a physical space in the future, that goal seems harder to achieve as time goes on. Retail space is getting more expensive, and resources like grants are harder to come by.
Contact Info:
- Email: hello@neworigin.shop
- Website: https://www.neworigin.shop/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/neworiginshop/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/neworiginshop
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwtjfIsFbbyCGfdnBiTFXIQ?view_as=subscriber
Image Credits
First Image Photographer: Celeste Boykins, Photographer: Viranda Brooks-Gonzalez
