Happy Anniversary: Three years as a small business

I started my business during the COVID pandemic after experimenting and exploring textures, colours, designs and patterns for two years.

My first steps for learning to sew were vintage clothes that I refurbished myself. A few months later, the lockdown started, and with all the extra time after teaching online lessons, I started practising more and more on my home sewing machine. I was part of a group of sewing volunteers making scrubs for the health workers in our local hospital (Princess Royal University Hospital) in London.

In just one year, I created a line of inclusive face covers with lip reading options and sold more than 40 on eBay. Due to needing to personalise the face covers, I learnt embroidery. My tools and supplies stash grew with time and need, and I got all the necessary machinery to make my creations look professional.

One day, my stepdaughter advised me to use Etsy as the platform to showcase my creativity with upcycling clothing, so I decided to try it, and I had my first sale within two hours! I will turn three years of business this July, and it feels like the blink of an eye!

Carolina De La Riva is the brand of sustainable fashion with an eco-friendly style.

The house of sustainability saw an emerging niche for furry friends. As a pet lover and inspired by our gorgeous Bobby (Sproker), I started a collection of bandanas, bow-ties and accessories made from the remnants of my rolls and the scraps from my collections from Carolina de La Riva. Soon, the new small business had its own name. EmPAWered came to revive the proposal of bringing style to the street runs with a greener production alternative.

I've always been interested in sustainable fashion, but it was when I better understood what that means that I could start making real progress towards it. My first step was when I took a couple of shirts from my Nick's wardrobe and some school trousers from my sons and converted them into summer tops and a lovely woven dress. Then with the scraps I learnt from YouTube how to do a purse, so I did it.

I've always loved vintage fashion and have been collecting pieces since I was a teenager. I loved going to the flea market near my university in Bogota (Colombia) to find second-hand jumpers, dresses and coats. I found amazing textures, colours and unique designs I loved wearing as a student. Still, until recently, my approach could have been more sustainable: buying second-hand without thinking about where they came from or how long they would last (or if they were even made ethically). When I started researching sustainable fashion practices and their impact on the environment, my attitude toward shopping changed dramatically--and so did my wardrobe!

One of my favourite parts of being a small business owner is creating and innovating my designs during my time off work.

Still today, I return from college and spend my time in my she-shed (workshop) until bedtime. My two small businesses bring me extra joy as my days are always different when I run fashion experiments in my little space.

Etsy is the largest online marketplace for artists and crafters in the UK and is a great place to sell handmade products. It's an online marketplace for handmade goods, vintage items, and craft supplies. I also have my web pages as a window platform, but most of my business currently happens on Etsy. I have also attended car boot fairs and community markets where EmPAWered has had an opportunity to flourish.

I set up short-term goals, and they have brought me long-term results.

Every week I would create a new item to add to my shop. I design the item and then make a prototype. I start selling it immediately if it works well and looks good. If not, I unmake it and redesign or make modifications to try something new again.

When I started the business, I was so excited to be able to make extra cash by doing what I love. It has been such an exciting journey. I have grown so much in this time, but I also learnt a lot about myself and how far I can push myself.

More than 1.500 items have been sold in three years. we have a high rate of returning customers, which shows that our products are good, and people like them. They trust us and come back time after time to buy from me again.

We have five-star reviews on Etsy and no complaints from customers or other sellers, so I am thrilled with my business now!

I plan to use all my extra time to produce unique pieces. I'll get more sustainable and use my creativity, productivity and satisfaction in my work.

If this article has inspired, you and given insights into how I started my business please consider following us on our social media channels. If you want to know more about Carolina De La Riva or buy one of our products, please visit our website www.carolinadelariva.com