Angela Johnson, a fashion designer, fashion illustrator, and fashion educator, joins Neva Lee Recla to explore the exciting adventures of being a creative entrepreneur. She transplanted herself out of her mass-produced clothing line in LA and landed in an Arizona school teaching fashion classes. The “T-shirt Ballgown” was an evolution of a lesson she taught on repurposing and recycling objects into garments. When she found that she had created something that was eco-friendly, unique, comfortable, washable, versatile and fun, the entrepreneur in her immediately decided to act on the idea and start another clothing company. Her business of “upcycling” T-shirts into new garments was born. Listen in as she shares her deep knowledge about being a creative entrepreneur.

First of all, what are your superpowers?

Angela Johnson and Neva Lee Recla

Well, I have a few that I would consider superpowers. I couldn’t really pick one but I would say I’m really organized, so if that counts as a superpower. I’m the most organized person I know. I think I’m pretty good at rallying a community of people to get them excited about something. Probably my favorite is being able to make a garment from just fabric.

Awesome. That’s awesome. So I thought since we’re both superheroes, we can do a superhero pose.

Ooh. How about … I love it.

You love it. So you started fabric, correct?

Yes, the fashion and business resource animation center.

Awesome, so how did you get the idea of fabric?

Well, it was because I was a designer, had a need and that need was a place to help me develop my product and to manufacture it. There weren’t any other places in Arizona to help me do that. I knew other designers probably had the same problem and I wanted to help solve that problem for myself and for the other designers. So about 17 years ago now, I came up with the overall idea, and now here it is today.

Wow, that’s awesome.

Thank you.

Neva on the tour of FABRIC in Tempe, AZ

So I thought we could talk a little bit about when my mom and I went to the F.A.B.R.I.C. tour.

Great.

I really liked the king and the queen chairs in the hall.

The thrones?

Yeah.

Yeah, you looked really cute on the thrones. I hope you got a picture of that.

Oh yeah. So what is your favorite thing that you created with fabric?

My favorite thing about the building?

Yes.

Well, it’s hard to say because we do a lot of different things. The fact that we have one place where all the designers know they can come and they can find everything they need, is ultimately my favorite thing about it.

Inside we have all the machines, all the industrial machines that we use to make people’s clothing, so I really like the fact that we have this manufacturing in there that helps all these designers make multiples of the same thing, so they can sell more and more. I like our classroom spaces so we can teach people how to sew and how to make patterns and how to do everything fashion related and draw and all that stuff.

There’s event space, too. I really like the runway. I like that we have a runway right in the middle of everything. That’s pretty fun.

So what advice do you have for kids or adults even, who want to express their creativity in business?

Ooh, well I guess I would say don’t be afraid to follow your dreams because I think a lot of people think that business is the quickest way to be successful and to make money and some people don’t connect the two dots that business can also be a creative thing, and it can be a fun thing, too. So sometimes people start businesses and they started in something that they don’t even like, just so that they can make money and make a living. They don’t realize that they could start a business in something creative and fun that they really do like and that they’re good at anyways and turn that into a way to make a living.

I think my advice would be to follow your dream, figure out what it is you like to do, and try to figure out how to turn that into a business.

I like that. Thank you.

Yeah.

So I think I have an idea of my business that I was very creative about. So I think it’s spreading light, love and pixie dust because I like my inner heart, let my heart come through and I drew pictures. Well, I still draw pictures for the military on Veteran’s Day, so I think that’s one of the most creative businesses I’ve done.

This year I made a  camo corn. It’s a unicorn and camouflage.

That is creative. I love it, in fact, unicorns are one of my favorite things. That’s pretty cool. Go with that.

Neva on the throne at FABRIC

If you could change anything about the world, what would it be?

I would probably change the way that people treat each other. I think that if everybody just had a different attitude about helping each other and treating each other kindly and supporting each other and treating each other the way they want to be treated, then the world would be a different place. But unfortunately, sometimes people get defensive or they get jealous and their inner feelings come out and take over and they don’t really treat others the way that they … is the nicest way they possibly could. But if everybody stopped and thought about it before they spoke or before they took action and really thought about how what they’re about to say or do affects another person, it would make a huge difference in the world.

Exactly. Actually, I did a video on that with my fashion business, Hot Clothes For Kids. Be careful with what you say and think before you say it because I told a kid you couldn’t hurt me, you couldn’t hurt me. Then he punched me in the face.

What? Oh my gosh.

Yeah, I did a video about that.

Wow. Well, those are strong words and you know what? One day, that kid will wake up and realize how negative that way and feel really sorry I’m sure. That’s the point is I think people when they do something that isn’t nice, they regret it later and they feel guilty anyway, you know?

Yeah, I think he maybe felt like a little intimidated maybe because …

Usually, that’s why, yeah I would say when somebody lashes out at somebody else it’s because they’re feeling defensive and intimidated and jealous. That’s usually why.

Yeah. So where can people look to find out more about you?

The kitty dress.

They can go to the website, it’s fabrictempe.com and it takes you to all of our things inside our building that we do. From there you can learn about classes, you can learn about manufacturing for your product, you can have your own runway show, you can have an office here, you can use our photo studio, there is a fabric store, there are so many different things that go on in this building and it’s all on that website.

Awesome, thank you. I remember that dress in the background. I took a picture with it.

My kitty dress.

Yeah huh. So we’re gonna take a short break so we’ve been talking with Angela Johnson about creative entrepreneurs. We’ll be right back.

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