Stefanie shares how she built her eco-conscious children's underwear brand after her mother's cancer diagnosis raised her awareness of chemicals in everyday products. Listen to this episode to learn about transferrable skills, clothing manufacturing, and pursuing your dream career!
Stefanie Schmidt, a lawyer turned clothing designer, was inspired to pivot her career after her mother was diagnosed with cancer, which heightened her awareness of the chemicals in everyday products and foods. When she couldn’t find easily accessible organic children’s clothing for her kids, she had the idea to start her own company. She soon learned that the U.S. lags behind in regulating potentially harmful chemicals in clothing. America only bans 11 chemicals compared to the EU's regulation of over 1,300. Stefanie left her role as general counsel for a financial tech firm to create a brand that prioritizes kids' health and happiness! This episode shares an honest and valuable narrative of Stefanie's pivot from lawyer to founder, detailing how she achieved early success despite having little knowledge about the fashion industry or building and promoting a brand!