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Oh hey, it’s me! 🙋🏼♀️
Full disclosure I didn’t have anyone lined up for today so I’m going to be like your 4th grade “sub teacher” showering you with my wisdom for today instead!
I also thought it would be a good opportunity to introduce myself to those of y’all that are new here!
I’m Amy the one-woman band behind Velvet Underground.
I started Velvet hustling my clothes from my bedroom in a big Whistler share house, throwing “clothes and wine parties” for my friends.
At that time I mostly used to make apparel from scratch for my OG brand @hmuapparel and the “selling of my wardrobe” was my little side hustle.
Eventually, I got a hold of a commercial space for my sewing studio, but quickly realized it was the vintage and thrift that people wanted, so when the warehouse below us (that I had been eying off) became available I jumped headfirst into another 2 businesses. Opening a vegan cafe at the same time....because why not? (I figured seeing as I had 8+ years experience as a chef in fine dining that would be the easy part) of course, it was far from easy! (More about the adventures of my business what not to do’s in my personal ig @the_velvetunderdog )
Anyway, for a minute we were doing it all, my own clothing brand, a vegan cafe, a vintage store, live music, markets, and everything in between, it was WILD. And while it was a blast, it wasn’t sustainable, so when the pandemic hit I was forced to take my foot off the gas before I drove myself off a cliff. Thank. God.
So here we are!
Still hustling, still on a mission to make a difference and do cool things for the people and the planet! 🌏💚
I’m so glad you're here for the ride with us!
Here’s me answering my own questions!
1. Where’d you grow up and where do you live now?
I grew up in Australia and have been living in beautiful BC Canada for about 7 years now
2. What is your definition of strength?
To go through hardships and still be able to remain open and approach situations with loving-kindness (still working on this)
3. What is something that’s important to you now that never used to be?
My health, I used to punish my body both mentally and physically, I would drink and party everyday work 100+ hour weeks and then berate myself with self-hatred it was exhausting. Now I still work a lot but I always make time for sleep, exercise, meditation, and learning, and I rarely go out unless it’s something really important to me
4. How would you describe your style?
It changes constantly, but I’ve been kinda vibing the 80’s mum look lately and I love monochrome I wish I had a monochrome suit in every colour
5. Favourite food to cook at home?
Veggies, despite having the skills to cook fancy stuff I’m super boring with cooking when it’s just for me I don’t have time to go nuts in the kitchen. I simply cut up every single veggie I have on hand cook it in A pan and add a kg of nootch and we’re done! Also, I can make pretty much veganize any recipe and you probably wouldn’t know the difference
6. What’re 3 books on your bookshelf?
I read/listen mostly on audible so I can read more. It’s really hard to choose 3 but These are up there in the most valuable books I’ve read- hit me up if you want business book recommendations I’ve got heaps!
The E Myth Revisited - by Michael E. Gerber
You're a Bad Ass at Making Money- by Jen Sincero
Dare to Lead -by Brene Brown
7. What’s something you want to accomplish in the next year?
I have a very long list of things... but here are the main ones:
-Register my business as some form of charity or social enterprise
-Start a podcast
8. Tell us something people would find surprising about you:
I used to breed ferrets when I was a kid, that’s “crumpet” in the last pic I grew up on a farm and was a crazy horse girl too
9. Favourite movie?
Erin Brockovich
It’s actually stuck in the DVD player in my car and has been for about 2 years so it auto-plays when I get in and it’s such a great movie I’ve accidentally listened to it play about 10 times
10. How do you want people to remember you?
Someone who is kind, supportive, generous, and driven to make the world a better place