Today we’d like to introduce you to April Jewett.
Hi April, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My story was created like a storyboard in my mind decades before it came into fruition. It stayed there running idle until February 2018. I was traveling for work and called a dear friend and the conversation turned into a “what if”. What if women had a place to go to that celebrated life, their changing bodies, their love for fashion, their need for their own identity. A place they can be themselves. Not to worry about what society says they should or should not wear at a certain age, who they should or should not be. What if they had someone to guide them through that journey of growth, every season of life, every curve created by time, every new “glittered” strand of hair. The call ended with a string of texts back and forth. Ideas bending and stretching beyond that storyboard, colors more vibrant than ever dreamt. August 2018 The Gypsy Debutante Clothing was born. It started with a post, grew into a website, danced into intimate private shops, and leaped into bigger pop-up events! We were thrilled! The travel bug hit! Being able to connect outside of the community and bring back what we learned was such a treat. We watched ladies break out of their shells and embrace their lives with more sass and pizzaz than before. The pop-up shops turned into a community of ladies of all ages that we connected with on so many levels. Sadly, Covid hit right when TGD was at its peak, or so we thought. We refused to let our story end there. You see, February 2020, at a local pop-up shop we were connected with another “boss babe” on the same journey. Looking for ways to expand her own “storyboard”. So, like strong and determined women do we adjusted our sails to the current storm wind. On October 2020, we reconnected with Sara Vining, owner of The Hickory Post, and signed a contract to open our first storefront! Since then, The Gypsy Debutante has hosted fundraisers for non-profits, supported and helped support and launch other women-owned businesses, and invited the community to grow with us through local fashion shows and local festivals. I started off stating that this was my story but the reality is that is was a collaboration of so many women’s stories. I’m just the lucky one that gets to share it. And my hope is that I will continue to tell them until every women feels like that could take on the world just like other women in my life have empowered me.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Absolutely not! The best journeys come with trials and tribulations, right? We had “growing pains” as most do. Buying clothes for myself is easy but buying clothes to fit a variety of women’s styles and body types comes with challenge. What makes me feel empowered and confident? What brands support that? How do I balance quality and price? These are all things that were difficult to navigate. So bad decisions were made, lessons were learned. We found that you really had to lean into your community. Some were not so supportive in sharing their solutions which was surprising. I think that is where we saw a gap in encouraging other entrepreneurs. That is not our “business model”. Community over competition.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I have considered myself “roamer” in careers. However, I am a firm believer that life prepares you for life. You either use it to create a path for yourself or you stay stagnant. We have different seasons in our life span. Each season gives you tools to help you for the next. I worked in retail which supported my love of fashion and creative style. I was a banker, helped me understand finances and connect with others. Then a preschool teacher…I’m still working on figuring out what that prepared me for. I became a Radiologic Technologist (x-ray) which taught me empathy for others and to listen to their stories with an open mind and a listening ear. All of these careers have set a solid foundation as a business owner, an entrepreneur, a creative specialist in style, and an activist for women. I am a co-owner of The Gypsy Debutante Clothing. My days consist of running the store, finding opportunities for growth, and encouraging others to do the same. I’m a stylist by trade and experience. I love giving my clients the room to explore different styles of clothing. I also love to empower them to make bold choices that help them feel confident and to do the same for others. I am known for throwing the rules out the door especially when it comes to fashion. I believe each person has their own style, their own flare. Some just need a little guidance and support. That’s where I come in! Trends come and go but your “signature” style should be timeless. Your wardrobe choices might change thought out the seasons of your life but the feeling you have when you put that “power suit” on remains the same. That’s what I like to nurture.
Is there something surprising that you feel even people who know you might not know about?
I LOVE color but you will find me dressed in black most of the time. It’s my power “color”! It’s what makes me, well me. I think that when most people meet me, they think that I am bold in all aspects of my life. They also believe that my confidence has been with me all along. WRONG! It took time, experiences, loving and supportive friends and family…all the things that gave me curves, age spots, and wrinkles gave me the confidence that you see today. Like most people, it ebbs and flows. I love to talk but public speaking is NOT my forte. Now if you put a music note to the words (and a cheat sheet for lyrics) I’m the most comfortable. Again, this came with time and the ability to know that ultimately it is not what others think about me that makes me special but how I feel about myself. That’s my “muchness”!
Contact Info:
- Email: thegypsydeb@gmail.com
- Website: www.thegypsydebutante.com
- Instagram: @thegypsydebutante
- Facebook: @TGD Clothing Co.
- Other: https://pin.it/6BU24uJ
Image Credits
Emily Morabito
Vanessa Fulcher
