Founder of NextGen Fashion Club
23 Years Old • Fort Collins
Tell us about yourself, your history and how you came to be where you are now.
Born and raised in Fort Collins, I graduated with my associate’s degree in science from Front Range Community College at age 15. I then went on to earn my bachelor’s degree in apparel and merchandising from Colorado State University, graduating at 19. Afterwards, I moved to Wisconsin to design apparel for one of Kohl’s private brands before moving to California to design for a legacy catalog brand. I recently moved back to Fort Collins, where I felt inspired to start NextGen Fashion Club, a community focused on teaching aspiring professionals the steps to take toward working in the fashion industry.
Explain your career, achievements and professional highlights.
My biggest achievement is founding NextGen Fashion Club, and prior to that, designing for major national retailers (I led an entire brand at age 22). I also served as an interim manager for a team at Kohl’s. I have two certificates from Cornell (Business Strategy and Women in Leadership) as well as a Couture certificate from the Paris American Academy. At CSU, I was the commencement student speaker and my department’s outstanding graduate. I’ve received several academic honors and was a recipient of the Fashion Scholarship Fund twice. Day to day, seeing my designs in public or on a bride always makes me smile.
In what ways do you give back to the community?
I’m a volunteer teacher at Harvest Farm, a recovery program for men overcoming addiction and/or homelessness, where I lead a class on finance and coach them individually on the math GED. I also volunteer for U COUNT, a ministry focused on fighting human trafficking, by uploading photos and increasing the social media presence for their online boutique. I also volunteer at the Royal Family KIDS camp, where I guide two young girls in/from foster care for a week during a summer camp. Lastly, I volunteer at my church and run a women’s small group.
What do you consider the biggest accomplishment or challenge you’ve overcome, either professionally or personally?
I would say my biggest accomplishment is dating, marrying and still being in love with my high school sweetheart. We’ve been best friends for the last 10 years and dated for seven, including long distance for five years. This is my biggest accomplishment because relationships are my most important priority, and choosing love through so much life is the best, hardest and most worthwhile adventure.
Tell us something unique about you.
Ever since I was little—and especially now as an adult—my family members have been huge supporters of The Lincoln Center. We go to most of the Fort Collins Symphony nights, all of their Broadway shows and see all the incredible dancers, musicians, comedians and other world-class acts that are right in our backyard.
Where do you see yourself in five years? In 10 years?
In five years, I see myself starting a family with my husband, continuing to grow NextGen Fashion Club and giving back to the Fort Collins community. In 10 years, I see myself beginning to foster kids, continuing to prioritize impact and wellbeing in my work and pouring into whatever community I am living in, though I hope it is still Fort Collins.
What piece(s) of advice would you give to your younger self?
Savor every moment because tomorrow might never come. Ask yourself: If today was my last day, have I savored it? Do my loved ones know that I love them? Have I apologized to the people I need to? Am I living in gratitude and awe for the gift of another day of life? Then give yourself the grace, time and care to be able to say yes to each one.
What do you teach other designers through the NextGen Fashion Club?
We teach people who are aspiring to work in fashion how to confidently launch their careers. Members get free access to internships and entry-level jobs, plus our “freebie vault” of tools. This includes our fashion portfolio starter kit, creative prompts to boost skills and confidence and a guide to 45 fabrics everyone in fashion should know. We also offer three student-friendly courses covering fashion careers, portfolio building and mastering the job application process. Everything we do is designed to make fashion careers more accessible. NextGen is free to join and open to all creative minds ages 10 through college.
What has led you to volunteer with so many different organizations?
I volunteer because I’ve been so deeply impacted by the love and grace of Jesus Christ. After experiencing the transformative power of forgiveness and new life through the gospel, serving others became the most natural outpouring of His gift. The saying, “Be the change you want to see in the world,” combined with my dad always reminding me that in every moment we choose to bring light or harm, has led me to strive to choose light. I’m especially drawn to U COUNT, Royal Family KIDS and Harvest Farm because of how they meet people with compassion, dignity and love.
Local business shoutout:
My business shoutout is the Light + Liv movement studio off of Harmony and Lemay in Fort Collins. Light + Liv is an incredible studio filled with so much love, joy and peace that you can feel when you walk in the door.
