Annie Deschenes

Successful Entrepreneur Stories Podcast

Hello, my name is Annie Deschenes, and if you had told me a few years ago that I’d be running my own cosplay tailoring business, I would have stared at you like you were a character from a science fiction movie. Yet, here I am, living proof that even the most heart-wrenching experiences can be stitched into something beautiful. Today, I want to unravel my journey from grief to growth, from uncertainty to entrepreneurship, and how I found hope among spools of thread and layers of fabric. Buckle up; it’s a wild ride.

Stitching Through Silence: The Genesis of My Craft

There was a time in my life where everything looked like a bleak monochrome—a time of loss, grief, and endless nights. Nothing seemed worthwhile anymore, the world a drab tapestry devoid of color. It was during this time off from my stable but unexciting job as a manufacturing process planner that I picked up sewing as a way to numb the sharp edges of my reality.

As I navigated the labyrinthine corridors of bereavement, sewing became my beacon. For the first time in weeks, I felt the spark of creation cut through the dullness of despair. I started crafting cosplay costumes from materials that would otherwise be cast aside, much like the way I felt back then. In stitching together those overlooked bits and pieces, I also stitched together fragments of my shattered self. Old drapes became flowing robes. Discarded t-shirts morphed into accessories. I was pulling forgotten things out of the shadows, just as I was pulling myself out of my own emotional quagmire.

From Hidden Hobby to Buzzworthy Business

Sewing was my secret. But then I made a costume so detailed, so stunning, that I couldn’t help but share it. To my surprise, people loved it. Then came an email that changed everything—Eugene Liang of Buzzfeed wanted one of my costumes, and the deadline was Halloween, just around the corner. The skeptic in me paused. Could I pull off this feat while juggling the responsibilities of a full-time job as a manufacturing process planner? The artist in me shouted, “Darn right, you can!”

The Crossroads: To Sew or Not To Sew

At that moment, I was straddling two worlds. On one hand, there was my stable, well-paying job; on the other, an unpredictable yet exhilarating entrepreneurial path. After delivering Eugene’s costume (which was nothing short of a smash hit, by the way), the decision stared me in the face like a glaring seam in an otherwise perfect piece of fabric. I chose to take the plunge and traded my cubicle for a colorful studio adorned with fabrics, sequins, and dreams. So I made the leap.

Values That Make the Cut: Upcycling

Now, let’s talk values. The cornerstone of my business philosophy is upcycling—breathing new life into discarded things. This principle doesn’t just apply to materials; it’s a metaphor for my life too. Every costume I create is a triumph of transformation, a repurposing of purpose. I source materials from thrift stores, flea markets, and donations, ensuring that the act of creation is also an act of conservation.

Just as I found renewal in the crafting of garments, I believe the world too can find renewal in the responsible use of its resources. Upcycling is my medium and my message. When customers wear one of my costumes, they’re not just donning fabric; they’re embodying the spirit of resurrection. And let me tell you, there’s no greater feeling than resurrecting someone’s dream character while also giving new life to discarded materials.

Like many success stories of entrepreneurs, my story isn’t one of overnight success – but it is one of resilience, reclamation, and revival. I didn’t just build a business; I built a sanctuary where discarded things—fabrics, and sometimes people—find a second chance. I didn’t just make costumes; I crafted stories, each stitch a word, each garment a chapter.

I’m Annie Deschenes, a tailor of dreams, an upcycler of hope, and my story is still being sewn, one stitch at a time. So, what’s your story, and how will you choose to stitch it together?