On today’s episode of the Craft Industry Alliance podcast, we’re talking about building a business in fashion sewing with my guest Mimi Goodwin, whom you might know as MimiG.
Mimi is a mother, businesswoman, and award-winning, trend expert and Editor-in-Chief of the popular fashion, lifestyle, and DIY blog, MimiGStyle.com. What started off as a hobby in her Los Angeles home in 2012, has blossomed into an international brand with daily engagement of more than 1.M followers.
Mimi in the Regal Maxi Skirt, the pattern that launched her career as a blogger and designer.
I met Mimi at Sew Pro this fall and I was so struck by how dynamic she was and by her confidence in herself and her business. In our podcast conversation, Mimi traces the winding path that led her to begin blogging about fashion and DIY projects. She had some rough patches and false starts along the way until she eventually figured out what worked and what she enjoyed. When she posted a picture of a skirt she’d made and there was instant demand for the pattern she suddenly realized she might have a started a business.
Since then Mimi has partnered with Simplicity Creative Group to create, produce and market pattern designs with the Mimi G Style for Simplicity Pattern Collection. The collection features over 15 patterns for the modern and curvy woman and is accompanied with a video tutorial from Mimi.
Mimi showing off a velvet coat she purchased and styled.
She’s also collaborated with brands such as Target, Google, Macy’s, ULTA, The Home Depot, The Recording Academy, Coca-Cola, Verizon, Kellog, Revlon, Steve Madden and more. She has been featured on Essence.com, InStyle Magazine, Vanity Fair, Rolling Out Magazine, and was awarded “Best Latina Blogger” by Hispanicize 2015. More recently, Mimi was featured on Lifetime TV’s Project Runway Junior as a mentor and design consultant for the young designers.
We talk about :
- What works on YouTube
- Sponsored posts
- Body image
- How to build readership for your blog and grow your Instagram following
- Controlling the tone of your online community
- Becoming a sewing pattern designer
- Launching a membership site
Mimi showing a modification of her Simplicity #8221 pattern.
One of my favorite quotes from Mimi during this podcast is, “People don’t follow blogs. People follow people.” So true.
Of course, I ask Mimi to recommend great stuff she’s enjoying right now. Mimi recommends:
Keep up with Mimi on her blog, MimiGStyle.com or on Instagram.
+++++
Today’s show is sponsored by Spoonflower. If you’re a creative person who loves to design, there’s nothing quite like the feeling of seeing your art printed onto fabric, or better yet — seeing someone across the globe purchase it and make something amazing.
Spoonflower is the first company to make it possible to digitally print custom fabric, wallpaper and gift wrap with no minimums, and no limitation of colors. Shop from thousands of indie designs, or sell your own designs and earn up to 15% commission on every sale. The best part? As an independent seller, you always keep the rights to your work. While She Naps podcast listeners can get 15% off your next Spoonflower fabric order. Go to try.spoonflower.com/abby and enter your email address to receive your coupon code.
+++++
You can listen to the show by clicking on the arrow below, or subscribe in iTunes or Stitcher so you never miss an episode. If you enjoy the show, tell a friend about it. Thank you so much.
Awesome, awesome podcast, Abby and Mimi. My creative juices are flowing like Niagara falls now. Thank you for lifting me higher today.
Thank you so much Sarah!
Enjoyed listening to this podcast.
I think my word this year and many years before it is COURAGE.
Thank you Abby and Mimi for sharing your knowledge and experience!
Thank you very much! xx
Mimi,
Thank you for this podcast.
Danisha
Wow! Mimi, I`ve learned so much in that hour. You are a very good speaker, and all this information for free. I was truly blessed by this segment. Thank you so much for sharing what you love and inspiring me to continue my journey. You are such a giver and that is way you are so successful. May God continue to bless you and your business. Thank you.
What a lovely and inspiring conversation! Thank you, Abby and Mimi.
You’re welcome, Annette. Thank you for listening to the show.
I really enjoyed this episode! I have heard of MimiG and knew she was very well-known online but it was so nice to hear her discuss a bit more about herself, her business, and her perspective on sewing, designing, and everything in between. Thank you for featuring her, Abby, and thank you to Mimi for putting yourself out there and getting more people interested in sewing!
Quick question: What is the source of Mimi’s dusty gold corduroy jacket that she is wearing in the episode photo? It’s a fabulous style, and of course she rocks it!
I so enjoyed this podcast – such warmth and positivity. Mimi – if you ever find yourself in Yorkshire, England I’ll take you for tea and cake!
Great podcast episode. I appreciate Mimi’s sense of humor and honesty. I love your interview style, Abby! The podcasts are a delight to listen to and extremely helpful to other crafty business folks.
ps. the email marketing jumpstart class is excellent , too! You’ve made what seemed like an overwhelming task do-able for me. Thanks!
I’m so glad to hear that, Laurie! Thank you for listening to the show and for being part of the class. It’s so fun to see everyone launch their newsletters!
Fantastic! I love her and you are the best Abby. Given your comments about body image/style, that sort of thing..I think you would love Stasia Style School. It is so much more than just “style”. I really think you would love it.
http://thriftmepretty.com/stasias-style-school/
I have nothing to do with promoting it. I did take the class and loved it, changed my life and the way I think abut myself.
XXOO Cat
What is the website Mimi was talking about for videos to learn to sew? I think a friend would like to sign up!
She has a sewing academy on her site. That might be it.
Thank-you so much for the pod casts. I’ve been a quilter for 10 years and always wanted to start my own blog and online quilting business. But I didn’t do it. Now I look back to where the industry was and am sad that I just sat at the starting line. Now I’m at new starting line and need to make sure that all the other industry professionals are moving so fast to the next point in the industry that I look like the tortoise and not the hare. Listening to the podcasts (11 so far) one right after the other reveals a theme to me and keeps at least my brain moving with the hares.
I know it can feel disheartening, but I strongly believe it’s never too late to start. Things don’t need to be perfect when you first begin. It’s really about starting the habit of blogging and posting on social media and getting your groove. Then you can go in and tweak things and get them where you want them.
I’m so glad that the podcast has helped you think about some of these ideas. Thank you for listening, Anne!