On Styling and Vintage Slanging: Personal Stylist Tracy Hawk
this fall, our theme is: flourish.
flourish (n.): to grow or develop in a healthy or vigorous way, especially as the result of a particularly favorable environment.
When we make work under our best conditions, we do more than survive—we thrive.
And what grow toward (or say no) to has a lot do with it. Whether you’re a small business owner, independent artist or side hustling creative, your career pathway will take resilience and strategic decision-making. Where do you choose to go? What makes something a yes? Which environments are best for your growth?
Those answers are nuanced, and for the most part they vary. So, as we prepare for craftHER Market Fall ‘19, we’re interviewing some of this market’s featured makers to learn more about their businesses and the ways they create favorable environments for their work. Read on for a peek into their process.
about today’s featured maker: tracy hawk of she is a hawk
“My name is Tracy Hawk. I’m a personal stylist and vintage pop up shop owner in Austin, Texas. I’m a Midwest native and self-described emotional dresser. Treasure-hunting is my super power and consignment stores make me feel at home. I love piecing together one of a kind finds with wardrobe staples, like my favorite Levi’s.
Family heirlooms and other meaningful items bring warmth to a wardrobe. For me, it’s my mom’s turquoise pieces from the 70’s and my great grandmother’s rings that create the comfort I long for in an outfit.”
Learn more at tracyhawk.com.
How would you describe who you are and what you do?
I’m a midwestern lover with complete adoration of stories through clothing from my ancestors.
How do you handle criticism and feedback?
That’s something I’ve really come to get better at in my late 20’s and early 30’s. I didn’t take it well for a long time and now I consider it as free advice I would pay for from my therapist. I think it’s pure gold.
Sustaining a creative business is tough. What are some money mindsets you’ve had to learn as an artist / entrepreneur?
This year has been a learning curve. I started a business, and to feel like every venture or idea is a good one I think is crazy. It’s all about how to lean into the next good idea and fail, grow and learn.
How do you hold yourself accountable to the goals you set? How do you bounce back when something doesn’t go as planned?
I give myself a reasonable timeline. I want to set realistic expectations but also have the best intention for She Is A Hawk. When things don’t go as planned, I’ve learned to go with the flow and really not be too hard during the growing process and just always take it as a positive learning lesson. This business is a total labor of love and is honestly always one of the high points of every day I’m working on it.
What’s one thing you wish people better understood about your craft?
That it’s personal. Vintage clothing is a thriving business but every business owner has a certain aesthetic and a lot of time we choose pieces that remind us of something tied to our youth, a fond memory, a certain person. It’s beautiful.
Would you like to meet Tracey in-person? Come out to craftHER Market Fall ‘19 on October 12 and 13, 2019 at Fair Market and stop by her booth. Click here to learn more.