To wrap up International Women’s Month we sat down to chat with Tash, Whit, and Madeline, the owners of Ivy City Co - affectionately nicknamed "The Ivy Wives". We wanted to learn more about what made them into the inspiring women they are today, and hear what advice they have for other women! Everything we can learn from other amazing women & their experiences is truly beautiful. Let's all continue to believe in each other and cheer each other on!
How did you start Ivy City Co?
I started Ivy City Co to fulfill my creative and business passion. I love designing dresses and I love seeing women feel beautiful and confident. I was intrigued by the amazing women around me with e-commerce businesses. I would lay in bed at night unable to stop thinking about it. One morning I just decided to chase my dream and never looked back. I had been a successful cosmetologist and loved making women feel beautiful and confident, but I was feeing exhausted from the long hours on my feet during the day and being a mom to my young kids. I love design and I’ve always loved fashion and would imagine ways I would want a dress if I created it. I was really drawn to the idea that I could create from my own home while my kids were asleep. It was a risk, but something I believe I was meant to do. I found my best friend and said" "wanna do this with me?!?" It was a match made in heaven.
What's the most important thing you want to teach Ani & Cora?
You will have road blocks. Unfortunate things will happen, but what ultimately matters is that you never stop doing your best — you get back up and you never give up. One day you will look back and see how far you have come and all the amazing things you have accomplished. I can’t wait to see the amazing things you girls will do. You can do anything you put your mind too.
Best piece of advice you have every received?
Enjoy the journey! You have to find joy in the journey or you will always be searching for something you can never achieve.
What is your favorite part of Ivy City Co?
I love the community that Ivy City Co has created and the amazing women who support us! It has become so much more than a passion for designing dresses. Every time someone puts on an Ivy Dress and feels confident and beautiful, it makes me all emotional. I also love that our dresses create something special that moms and daughters can enjoy together.
How do you balance being a mom & running Ivy City Co?
This is something that I have had to learn throughout time and something that I continue to learn daily. My family is the most important thing to me. I always try to put them first, but this might mean that I have some really late nights or really early mornings to get everything done. In the end, it is all worth it if I get to be a mom AND follow my dreams with my best friends.
Best piece of advice you have ever received?
"Encourage, lift and strengthen one another.
For the positive energy spread to one will be felt by us all."
- Deborah Day
What was your career path that led you to Ivy City Co?
Short answer?
FATE
Medium-length answer?
It all started with studying photography in college and running a fashion and art blog with my best friend called Sugar & Spice in my late teens and early twenties. We’re talking pre and early instagram days. The blog brought such special opportunities that I know in my heart were all preparing me for where I am today — Opportunities like designing shoes for KEDS and giving a TedX Talk about the power of social media. It really all boils down to the fact that I’ve always loved creating and connecting with women. Post-college I moved to Salt Lake from my home state of Texas to “find myself”. While I was still running the blog I got another job as a manager of a dress shop for a summer (foreshadowing much?) before starting my career in marketing at Skullcandy HQ. From there I realized my passion truly lay with working closer with women’s products so I jumped over to be head of marketing at women’s swim company Albion Fit. After a few years of growing deeply passionate about the women’s ecommerce industry I felt then pull to continue creating. I absolutely loved helping other businesses reach their dreams but it was time to reach for my own… Enter my new and favorite adventure as co-owner, designer and CMO at Ivy City Co.
What are you most excited about being a mom?
Teaching someone how to love and being taught how to love deeper than ever before. The mommy and me matching is definitely up there, too! ;)
Best piece of advice you have every received in your life?
From a work perspective —
“never be the smartest person in the room.”
I love this and think it’s so true. The second you think you’ve mastered something is the second you stop growing. Always leave room for new knowledge and growth.
From a personal perspective —
Any words spoken by my grandma. She has taught me that there is no greater gift I can bring to this world and the people in it than unconditional love.
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We hope you enjoyed learning a bit more about the women behind Ivy City Co and the wisdom they have to share! We are so grateful for all of the amazing women who power our business and those who support it so loyally. We love you!
