When the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020, Alejandra Taylor wanted to do something to help. So, like many others throughout Vermont, the St Johnsbury resident began making masks. Or a mask, anyway, because she soon realized that what she really wanted to make was clothing. More specifically, the mother of two wanted to make children’s clothing that would grow with the child, thereby reducing not only the expense of keeping a child in clothes, but also the waste associated with outgrown garments.
Taylor called her nascent business Sewn by a Taylor, and entered the inaugural Do North Pitch Competition in hopes of gaining exposure, as well as improving her public speaking skills. She accomplished all that, plus something else: She won the overall prize, taking home $5,000 for her efforts. With this year’s pitch competition fast approaching, we thought it’d be a good opportunity to ask her a few questions about her business, and about her pitching experience.
Do North: How did you learn to make children’s clothes? Did you have much experience as a tailor?
Alejandra: I really didn’t. I’m entirely self-taught via YouTube. I guess you could say that I have a knack for it, because it seems like I picked it up pretty easily. But I think that’s mostly because I just think it’s fun to sew clothes for kids.
Do North: Can you talk about the transition from sewing as a hobby, to making it your full time business?
Alejandra: At first, I was just making clothes for my son and as gifts. I really didn’t intend to start a business, but people kept asking me to make clothes for their children, and I could see the need. Being a mom, I really understand the challenge of finding high quality kid’s clothes that fit for more than a few months, and I knew how important that was. Honestly, I thought turning it into a business might take away some of the joy, but it hasn’t.
Do North: Talk a bit about the pitch competition: What motivated you? How did you prepare?
Alejandra: I was so nervous to enter, but I guess I was more excited about the opportunity than I was nervous. I joined one of the Zoom workshops and also worked one-on-one with Jared, and he really helped figure out what to focus on, which was a big help.
Do North: Did you have much public speaking experience previously?
Alejandra: No. In fact, I don’t think I’m a good public speaker, but I spent all day practicing my pitch – I even had a nanny come watch my kids so I could really focus on practicing. Once I got to the competition, I went to the bathroom to keep practicing, and missed one of the pitches. When I came out, my sister-in-law said “oh, that guy was amazing, I think he’s going to win,” and I was like ‘oh, great.’ But I really just tried to keep focused on my pitch, and it worked.
Do North: Has the success of your kid’s clothes inspired you to expand your offerings?
Alejandra: I just started sewing women’s clothes last year, and I’m currenting working on launching a new line of apparel made from Modal fabric, which is a bio-fabric that comes from beech tree cellulose. It’s super comfy and renewable.
Do North: Where can people learn more about your clothing?
Alejandra: My website is sewnbyataylor.com. I open it up for orders once or twice a month as I have inventory.
Do North: Amazing. Thanks for your time, Alejandra.
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