Inspired by the enormous volume of clothing donations that were not being resold at her local Op Shop (that is Kiwi for Thrift Shop), this week’s guest, Bea Lorimer, launched Heke Design to call attention to and address the issue with creative ingenuity. 

In this interview with Crispina, Bea shares her focus on building her business to an international audience and why she traded in touring all over the world in the music industry for her island studio and retail collective. 

Like all Rags to Riches episodes, this one brings you a little of everything. You’ll get to hear about Bea’s creative beginnings as a touring stage lighting and costume designer and her first clothing business and subsequent disillusionment with the fashion industry. You may even find out what Canadian rock stars she’s toured with in addition to the Barenaked Ladies if you listen closely!

And for everyone out there taking notes for their own textile upcycling entrepreneurial journey… you’ll get to listen in on some great textile upcycling business tips such as how to approach designing a cohesive product line when you’re working with a raw material supply flow that is anything but consistent.

Are you ready?