Today we’d like to introduce you to Nikki Griffin.
Hi Nikki, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
My sewing/design career began when I was a child and today I teach others to sew their style too. I spent 30 years in sales media and technology and decided to stop selling for corporations and I asked to be terminated from my job in November 2019… this is how this chapter began!
I took a generous severance and played around the holidays of 2019 into the new year, including a 10-day sewing retreat vacation the beginning of March 2020. I came home from vacation to be sheltered in place, and like everyone else, no idea what the months ahead would bring. Amid all the sadness and anxiety and family bags of Doritos, I led an organization of volunteer mask makers and at last count, we made and delivered over 70,000 cotton masks to Atlanta-area hospitals and health facilities. It was also this point where I decided to take my sewing lessons virtual and invited friends from social media to join me in group lessons and private lessons to up their sewing game.
COVID gave me a gift… Today I teach beginner sewing and advanced skills to experienced sewists, including bra making, coats, tailoring and anything private lessons bring. I’m a new business owner running a GLOBAL sewing/design business developed in 12-months from the house – what a ride!
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?
The relevance of my story to 2020-2021 is just personally crazy but also familiar to everyone, nothing was smooth but some of it was exhilarating. I taught classes all day seven days some weeks. I also had to build content to continuously fill social media platforms if I was going to continue selling my services… and stay healthy… and help my mother stay healthy… and reinvent the beginnings of my business each week because 2020 was moving like lightning.
Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know about your work?
I’ve been sewing for over 40 years, taught by some of the finest tailors and designers out there. My ancestral talent allows me to teach others, sewing into them to achieve their personal goals. Today, I’m known for teaching group sewing lessons and private lessons so others can up their sewing game. My signature offerings are bra making, jeans/pants, coats/jackets and dressmaking. Private lessons are also offered as a monthly subscription to build your wardrobe, men and women.
This summer my newest brand: the Bra Talk Boutique will launch selling fabric bra kits. This is an area where there are no black women represented supporting the many bra makers with supplies to make the most gratifying garment ever… and who knows what else this year will bring!
What would you say have been one of the most important lessons you’ve learned?
Don’t try to do all the things… do what I’m good at and focus on building it.
Contact Info:
- Email: nikkig@sewingmystyle.com
- Website: www.sewingmystyle.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sewingmystyle/
- Facebook: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIOb9f4lUDPDxUJXxnttaLQ
- Twitter: twitter.com/sewingmystyle
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIOb9f4lUDPDxUJXxnttaLQ
Image Credits
Shawn Dowdell @shawndowdellphotograher
