A lot of tilling of land occurred before there was Tillage. Different passions and talents that seemed to be woven into my DNA had to align once they were at least somewhat developed to come up with a clothing brand of my own.
Ever since I was a little girl, I was dreaming up ideas to create into sellable products. My entrepreneurial spirit loved the promotional side of things as well. How could I make their packaging look attractive? What signage could I make to draw in potential customers?
I was also passionate about social justice from an early age, and by my mid-twenties, the issue of human trafficking was brought to my attention. The idea of modern day slavery to millions of people in the 21st century felt unfathomable to me, and the cause gripped my heart and wouldn't let go.
All the while, my career ideas for advertising butted heads with not wanting sell products I couldn't stand behind, so I came very close to going back to school for a new career in social work to help the cause more directly. Long story short, I never ended up going to grad school, but I did keep coming up with business ideas.
Though clothing wasn't my first business plan I created, it was the one that stuck. Spending time as a nanny, I was looking for comfy clothes that didn't compress my belly but were flexible and versatile to work with the busy, adventure filled life of a child, and myself. Realizing how rampant human trafficking is in the fast fashion industry, the stars seemed to align with "the thing."
Tillage Clothing was launched into the world in 2016, with its namesake constant accountability to "prepare the land for cultivation and till the soil for freedom." Each step of growth brings challenges that create deepened grit and perseverance. As the line of clothing expands and sales continue to increase, so does the amount we give back to organizations directly fighting human trafficking by working with survivors.
If running Tillage was a sprint, and a get rich quick concept, I would have fallen flat on my face fast. Knowing that I'm in this for the long haul grants a long-term vision filled with hope and possibilities.
Thanks for being a part of this endurance race with us. You keep me inspired everyday!
