Today we’d like to introduce you to Phoebe Morrin-Gross.
Hi Phoebe, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My story goes in zig zags but ends up almost where it started which is a funny thing to think about. When I was a child, my mom taught me how to sew. I would make curtains for my room or help her create my Halloween costumes but as I grew up, I fell into school and friends and sports so nothing came from my childhood hobby. Years later while I was living on Martha’s Vineyard this need to be creative came back to me. I dabbled in drawing and photography thought about jewelry making but nothing was calling to me. A friend let me borrow their sewing machine and it truly sparked my interest!
What was I going to create though? My apartment was so small, not enough room to spread out and create patterns. Also, fabric is expensive so how can I create? At this point, it dawned on me to RE-CREATE something, and the concept of upcycled clothing came to mind! I’ve always loved thrifting and was brought up in a sustainable lifestyle so this was a natural concept for me.
Over the next 6-7 years, I moved to Austin found a job in a local retail store on S. Congress Ave in the hopes that I would be able to learn about the retail industry and have my own business someday. I learned a lot during my tenure as a retail General Manager and when Covid happened, I felt confident enough to pursue my dreams of being a business owner! Currently, I sell at the South Congress Artist Market every weekend and am expanding my online store over the next year. The feedback from my community has been AMAZING and I cannot wait to see what the future hold for Streetnik!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I had a great foundation when I started Streetnik and I also feel that I was ready. When I look back and think, “How did I get here?” it almost seems like a natural progression from the beginning when my mom taught me how to sew. I’m thinking it means something when you walk away from something and then come back to it 15 years later. I wasn’t the best student, and I’ve worked a lot of different kinds of jobs along the way but have always trusted my gut and moved forward with intention and confidence (whether I have to fake it or not!).
Overall, it’s been a smooth road with the regular small business hiccups! The Austin community is so wonderful and supportive and with the skills and knowledge I learned from my previous position, I have been able to hang with them.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Streetnik takes second hand clothing and makes small edits to modernize the style. This is so special because it allows our customers to enjoy vintage materials and trending fashions! Our best-selling styles are cropped and cut out button ups and additional seasonal styles that are all created from 100% upcycled materials. Our styles are unique and one of a kind, complimentary to all body types and make our customers feel good when they wear them!
As Streetnik grows I hope to share and educate the importance of sustainable practices through providing accessible and special sustainable fashion pieces. The moments that make me happiest are when our customer’s faces light up as they walk into our store (tent at the South Congress Artist Market) exclaiming how cute everything is. I am so proud of the fact that I create an ethical product that people love!
We’d love to hear about how you think about risk taking?
I love risk-taking! I have always called myself a limit pusher. In my experience risks have paid off in the end and are always an important part of a person’s journey. For example, the journey to starting Streetnik started when I drove my car from Martha’s Vineyard, MA to Austin, Texas sight unseen! The move was a huge risk but kickstarted the forward progression to where I am now.
I believe in moving forward, setting and attaining goals, and challenging ones self to be better and I believe that all of these things involve risk taking. I also think in general, the word risk comes with a negative connotation, but if we can change the outlook on a high risk situation and accept the challenge, we will be better for it in the end.
Contact Info:
- Email: streetnikllc@gmail.com
- Website: shopstreetnik.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/streetnik_/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/shopstreetnik
