Today we’d like to introduce you to Jasmine Purkiss.
Hi Jasmine, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
I began to express myself creatively once I moved out of my small town (New Smyrna Beach, Florida) and came to Orlando, Florida. I realized that this was a place of larger diversity and imaginative minds. I quickly learned I could communicate more efficiently and birth even more ideas, especially fashion-related ones. I came up with the Untamed Culture brand because it resonates with my family roots and timeless saying, “The Only Box I’m in is Braids.” With my brand, I encourage people to step out of their comfort zone in fashion and push the limits of what can and can’t be done regarding accessorizing and color matching. I have participated in fashion shows and became a vendor at several markets in the Orlando area. I love that Orlando has allowed me to increase my business confidence and take it to the next level by building an e-commerce platform.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It has been challenging to keep up with my dreams while juggling a job. I recently quit my bartending job to fulfill my goals and dreams fully. During my time here, I realized that I never wanted to quit my daydream (untamed culture) because that made me happy and made me feel purposeful with my day-to-day activities to get it off the ground. When I had a full-time job, I felt committed to that and gave my all to ensure I showed up and went above and beyond while my “side job,” for lack of better words, got all of the left-over energy, which was little to none. When I did give my all to Untamed Culture, it would always be different. This frustrated me because I knew I was not reaching my full potential. Looking back at my decisions is revolutionary because the truth always comes out once the moment has passed.
I appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
I am a sustainable fashion designer specializing in making upcycled stuffed animal backpacks called the Cultured Cubs. These have been a hit amongst children and adults alike. Cultured Cubs are some of the best accessories, especially when attending a music festival, concert, or rave. They are great conversation starters and one of the most fun accessories you will have in your closet. What sets me apart is that They are all handmade and upcycled from stuffed animals meant to be sent to the landfill. The stuffed animals are inspected and thoroughly cleaned before I transform them into bags; this process takes 5 to 6 days. Each cultured cub has their little flare to them. Some of my best sellers are ones with glasses stitched to them because it sets the cultured cub up with an elevated piece that carries its personality to infinity and beyond! All of the Cultured Cubs are one of one!
Risk-taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
I am a firm believer in risk-taking. As I mentioned earlier, I quit the job I have been working at for the past 5 years to pursue my business full-time. I decided that it was not the life I wanted to live. Although bartending makes you a lot of money, I look at it as a golden cauldron tied to my ankle that’s dragging me down when, at the same time, I have an umbrella in my hand urging me to take the risk and fly (a little Mary Poppins moment if you will lol). I do not believe anyone has ever grown in comfort. This is the challenge I genuinely needed to gather a disciplined and consistent routine. I enjoy my work, and this happy risk has changed my outlook on how I choose to work wholeheartedly.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.untamedculture.shop
- Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@untamedculture
