Today we’d like to introduce you to Anna Bret Mitchell.
Hi Anna Bret, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
My name is Anna Bret and I love to make clothes!
When I was a little 5-year-old girl, my Mimi used to let me climb up in her lap as she worked at her sewing machine. Placing her hands over mine, we guided the fabric under the needle together. It was my favorite thing to do whenever I went to Mimi’s house. As I grew older, I actually learned to sew myself under Mimi’s tutelage: I’d draw an idea of what I wanted to make, we’d go to the store, buy our supplies, and within a few days, I was twirling in front of the mirror in my brand new dress. We repeated this process of imagination, planning, and execution over and over and over.
After college, I made myself honestly answer the question, “If you could do anything, what would you do?” and I answered myself, “I would make clothes and sell them.” And so that’s what I set out to do. I moved back to Orlando, started a job as a nanny for two precious little girls, and set about building my business. After many confusing forms and failed attempts (and tears), I obtained a city and state business license. I bought a google domain, made myself a logo, and spent many an hour learning how to use online commerce platforms or watching YouTube videos on how to draft patterns. In my remaining spare hours, I designed and sewed pieces for my new clothing brand: annabret.
I started out making women’s wear and enjoyed it, but whenever I made the little girls who I nannied dresses for their birthdays or Christmas, people would say, “That’s what you need to be selling.” I decided to give little girls’ dresses a try and had so much fun! I got to use colors and patterns and trims that adults would never buy, but a kid could rock. It turned out that my children’s clothing line was more successful (and more fun to design) than my women’s clothing line, so I decided to put women’s clothing on hold and go completely into children’s mode. I’ve been making little girls’ dresses for two years now and have so many ideas and dreams for the future still up my sleeve.
As simple as this sounds, those afternoons sewing with Mimi taught me that I could make things! I was a maker. And making in and of itself is a beautiful gift we have as human beings. I want my story to remind those who hear it that they are makers, too! And more than that, they can share their love for making just like Mimi shared hers with me.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
The biggest obstacle I’ve had (which I still encounter daily) has been the process of scaling my business. I’m a handmade clothing line, so I’m limited in how much I can produce at a profitable price point for me and a reasonable price point for my clientele. In order to increase my customer base, I’ve recently been putting more effort towards breaking into new markets to get my name out there. While those efforts have not been unsuccessful, I am still aware that I need to continue diversifying my marketing strategies. I really enjoy the many hats I get to wear as the sole owner and employee of my business (I’m never bored) but I struggle to devote enough time to the marketing side to grow my brand.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
I design, sew, and sell children’s clothing that is pretty, comfortable, and playful! I love to combine classic silhouettes with fun fabric for a different but still versatile dress for your little ones.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
While I’ve spoken or emailed with other small business entrepreneurs, I don’t have a mentor. I’d like to find one! Even the small exchanges I’ve had with other creative entrepreneurs have been so encouraging and helpful.
Contact Info:
- Email: aallen@annabret.com
- Website: www.annabret.com
- Instagram: instagram.com/annabretapparel/
- Facebook: Facebook.com/annabretapparel
