"A positive attitude counts for everything. They watched me get a good idea and do something about it. (Thankfully, Oprah thought it was a good idea too.) I try to teach them armed with a good self-esteem and good physical health, you can accomplish anything. "
Borrowing $30.000 out of the household account, she started up PositiviTee.com. Working in what was once her art studio, with Camille as the photographer for the website and Cholie full of ideas, it's a partnership that instills positive values and awareness within the girls. Some of the proceeds support causes such as microloans for women, fighting teen depression, clean drinking water and save the tigers. All overstock is donated to Safe Horizons - a shelter for women in crisis.
Where did you come up with the idea of the t-shirts? It grew out of an experience I had with my daughter. I bought her a sweatshirt on-line for $50 to “Save the Seals.” The sweatshirt came, it was a man’s small, 50% polyester, poorly designed…she loved it. It expressed something she believed in. I felt there should be more of a fashionable selection for teens and women.
Does having daughters have anything to do with the concept of Positivitee? Having daughters has everything to do with it. Everything I do, is for my children and my desire to guide them into a happy, caring life.
What kind of values are you trying to instill within your daughters? A positive attitude counts for everything. They watched me get a good idea and do something about it. (Thankfully, Oprah thought it was a good idea too.) I try to teach them armed with a good self-esteem and good physical health, you can accomplish anything. I am very big on taking care of “the self” as the only means to take care of others.
You and your daughter Camille are a duo. Who does What part of the business? My older daughter is only twelve and my younger daughter is 9. Camille (elder) took all the photos on my web site both she and her sister are always ready with design/color suggestions...Chloe is only 9 but she has already asked me. “Who gets the business when you die?”
Do you work out of your home? Yes, it’s great. The 3rd floor was my art studio. Now I have 2 computer set ups, shelving and work tables. I also have window seats with pillows and blankets for my kids. The like to sit and do their homework up there and come up in the early morning while I’m working. I usually start work at 5:00 am and go down and make breakfast for them at 7:15.
Tell me about Support Sisters teen bra that supports girls in Haiti and India? I called it my million dollar idea. So far I haven’t done much with it. The idea is teen girls supporting teen girls through higher education. $5 is donated to a scholarship fund.
$5 from every shirt goes to various causes. Why did you choose Aids,Micro-Loans for Women and the ones you did? They were causes dear to my heart but I was also trying cover my bases and include a little of everything. Teens love animals and environmental causes, women seem more interested in health and children.
Do you have any words for women who are thinking of starting up their own business?
Time and passion. Don’t expect a miracle and if you don’t believe in it, no one else will.
Is it hard work? How much fun is it? Some days its really hard to work. If the orders aren’t coming in, my energy isn’t going the right way. That’s when you’ve got to believe and make good things happen—plant the seeds.
We need more individuals who are for peace and are about the land and the earth. Are you a hippie at heart If hippie’s believe in the respecting one’s self, others and the environment—then yes. I’d like to think I’m alive and therefore aware.
Your website states that "PositiviTee believes that if you start the day aware, empowered, and positive- good things will follow." Is that your motto for a reasonably happy life? Absolutely! That’s why I said it. I’d also like to add, you can’t love too much.
Another one of the causes on your website is women's rights.On my site I say my tees are dedicated to the preservation and healing of
the planet, helping impoverished women and educating girls to be tomorrow's
leaders.
I think of the whole site as women supporting women and nurturing mother
earth. If that counts as women's rights, then yes.
You say "we teach our children beauty comes from within." How do you celebrate your spirit? I try to make my home a haven. I like good smells and soft music. We tread lightly and never say “stupid.” Walking into my home is like walking into my spirit...Yoga and a sunrise is spiritual for me. Coffee is pretty good.
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