THE SHIFT: STORIES OF CAREER TRANSITIONS
What prompted your career transition to founding Sewing Lab?
I began my career a s an Executive Assistant to a Philippine senator and later worked for a global ad agency in Dubai. After years o f relocating for my husband's military service, returning t o the U.S. made it difficult to restart my career. As a sustainable fashion advocate, I turned m y volunteer sewing work into Sewing Lab, launched i n 2024 t o teach sewing skills and promote conscious clothing practices. What were some of the conventional beliefs
What were the conventional beliefs or fears that made the change difficult?
It felt like navigating a nonstop maze, far more complex than I expected. I thought I was signing u p for a quick swim-and instead discovered I had to cross an ocean.
“After feeling like I’d lost my sense of identity, I turned back to my passion for sustainable fashion. What began as volunteer sewing lessons became Sewing Lab—a way to revive the skill of sewing while helping communities become more conscious about the clothes we wear and the waste we create.”
What helped you through the transition?
I pushed myself to attend every networking event I could, and the people I met quickly became mentors and connectors. Building relationships was just as important as investing in myself. Within a year, I was moderating a 30K-member business group and joining local chambers, which opened even more opportunities.
Are you glad you made the change? Why?
Yes-It's hard and unpredictable, but I wouldn't trade it. The impact I'm making and the people I've met make every sleepless night worth it. I always wanted to be a teacher, and even though life took a different path this work has brought me back to that path in a new way.