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Karri Frerichs is a wife, mother, and an entrepreneur. She moved to LA from San Francisco and started her own sustainable fashion company. She started her business, Circular Fashion LA, in 2019 and has already made a change in the fashion industry. She hosts events every second Friday of the month, “Second Fridays,” attends events to build connections, and has started to focus on size inclusive items, aside from being a sustainable fashion business. Although being sustainable sometimes limits you from creating new clothing or design new styles, it is the best approach to helping the economy stay green and far away from pollution, destruction of the oceans, and much more. Karri is still learning the ins and outs of this industry and her business. The pandemic did have an impact on her new business, but she tries to maintain a healthy and positive environment for herself in order for her and her family to stay sane. She does not let anything stop her from pursuing her dreams and accomplishing her goals. She loves to help educate students and people about the fashion industry, which is why working as a teacher at Woodbury University has been a major accomplishment for her.
Tell us a little bit about yourself and what you do. I'm an entrepreneur, educator, wife and mother of two young children who's trying to make a difference in the fashion industry. |
What made you want to start a sustainable fashion business?
As someone who has spent my career (since 2005) working in all aspects of the fashion industry, I've seen and learned first hand about the devastating and polluting effects of fast fashion on the environment and global labor market. It's this dark-side of the industry, as well as my personal discovery of a concept called the Circular Economy in 2019, that led me to launch my current endeavor, Circular Fashion LA.
What are some challenges you faced starting up your company from scratch?
Entrepreneurship is often a lonely endeavor and you often find yourself working within your own echo chamber. It's completely up to the business owner to reach out and find her own support network and resources. Also, I had recently moved to Los Angeles, from San Francisco, so I have had to build a new network of colleagues and resources in a new city.
What are some highlights you have faced in your business?
Because this is my 2nd entrepreneurial venture, I've already "paid for" expensive trial and error that can put many businesses under, and have been able to grow quicker while keeping expenses lower than in my previous business. I've also had the confidence to reach out and network with major global players and enterprises in my sector to put my business "on the map" in a relatively short amount of time.
As someone who has spent my career (since 2005) working in all aspects of the fashion industry, I've seen and learned first hand about the devastating and polluting effects of fast fashion on the environment and global labor market. It's this dark-side of the industry, as well as my personal discovery of a concept called the Circular Economy in 2019, that led me to launch my current endeavor, Circular Fashion LA.
What are some challenges you faced starting up your company from scratch?
Entrepreneurship is often a lonely endeavor and you often find yourself working within your own echo chamber. It's completely up to the business owner to reach out and find her own support network and resources. Also, I had recently moved to Los Angeles, from San Francisco, so I have had to build a new network of colleagues and resources in a new city.
What are some highlights you have faced in your business?
Because this is my 2nd entrepreneurial venture, I've already "paid for" expensive trial and error that can put many businesses under, and have been able to grow quicker while keeping expenses lower than in my previous business. I've also had the confidence to reach out and network with major global players and enterprises in my sector to put my business "on the map" in a relatively short amount of time.
"As someone who has spent my career (since 2005) working in all aspects of the fashion industry, I've seen and learned first hand about the devastating and polluting effects of fast fashion on the environment and global labor market."
How is the business going so far, with the pandemic playing a role in our lives now?
The pandemic has provided both advantages and disadvantages to my business. We began providing face masks early on and saw a dramatic increase in sales based on this product. However, with schools and daycares being closed and transitioned to online, I've had to drastically reduce my availability to work on my business as now I am the main home-schooler and caregiver, whereas before we had several preschool and camp programs for my children.
The pandemic has provided both advantages and disadvantages to my business. We began providing face masks early on and saw a dramatic increase in sales based on this product. However, with schools and daycares being closed and transitioned to online, I've had to drastically reduce my availability to work on my business as now I am the main home-schooler and caregiver, whereas before we had several preschool and camp programs for my children.
"I've had to drastically reduce my availability to work on my business as now I am the main home-schooler and caregiver, whereas before we had several preschool and camp programs for my children."
How do you keep yourself motivated?
During this time of homeschooling and online kindergarten, I'll be honest and say it's been hard to keep myself motivated because I'm so tired and feel stretched very thin not having our regular childcare available to us. But I do find motivation through consistent research of Circular Economy practices and developments. I'm also working with a great group of interns from Woodbury's fashion department and they keep me motivated so that I can provide them with the best internship experience possible.
How do you juggle being a wife, mother, and a business woman?
It's difficult as I often think I can accomplish what I used to be able to accomplish before I had kids. So I've had to adjust my own expectations of myself and am still learning not to get down on myself because I'm tired and depleted of energy. Time management, delegation, outsourcing and creative organization skills have become my best tools to continue juggling a growing business and keeping my family sane and happy during this time of pandemic. I've also learned how to accomplish small tasks on my phone and from the playground or home-school setting that keeps me moving forward while still being present with my kids.
"Time management, delegation, outsourcing and creative organization skills have become my best tools to continue juggling a growing business and keeping my family sane and happy during this time of pandemic."
Where do you go to find peace in the city?
I often find peace and relaxation in the park or playground, picnicking on the grass under a tree with my kids. I also love to go for a walk/run after my kids have gone to bed (my husband will stay home with them). I put in my headphones and just decompress while walking through the neighborhoods where I live in and near West Hollywood.
What do you love about where you live?
I feel very lucky to live in and near neighborhoods and residential streets with tons of trees, shade and gardens. One of my favorite activities is just walking through the beautiful neighborhood streets of Hollywood/West Hollywood with shady trees and lush gardens. It offers a rest and change from the rush of Santa Monica and Sunset Blvd. that I live in between.
I often find peace and relaxation in the park or playground, picnicking on the grass under a tree with my kids. I also love to go for a walk/run after my kids have gone to bed (my husband will stay home with them). I put in my headphones and just decompress while walking through the neighborhoods where I live in and near West Hollywood.
What do you love about where you live?
I feel very lucky to live in and near neighborhoods and residential streets with tons of trees, shade and gardens. One of my favorite activities is just walking through the beautiful neighborhood streets of Hollywood/West Hollywood with shady trees and lush gardens. It offers a rest and change from the rush of Santa Monica and Sunset Blvd. that I live in between.
Moving to a new city and starting a new business already sounds frightening. Karri has accomplished so much in the past few years just by picking up everything and moving to a new city with her husband and kids. Her first business didn’t go as planned, therefore, she planned out her new sustainable fashion company thoroughly and is doing amazing at what she does. When everything gest hectic, she likes to have “me time” by enjoying and taking in the city she lives in. Karri is glad she moved to a beautiful city that has given her so many opportunities to show the fashion industry all her knowledge and experience.
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