Amy Michielle Freeman

  Degree:    Bachelor of Science
  Major:      Retail Merchandising                                   

  Years in the Field:    9
  Current Job Title:     Clothing Designer / Owner
  Organization:            SoHo Exchange, Inc.         

  How did you find this job?
  I started this company in 2003. My goal was to design a
  business that would dress women, helping them to look
  their cutest.

  Please describe your job:
  No two days are alike in my job because I wear many
  different hats. However, my basic daily structure is the
  first two hours in the morning I use to manage the
  administrative portion of the company (i.e. answering

emails, updating the books, etc.) The next two hours are for sketching/designing new product or current products in development. I also have created an area of the company that gives presentations to high school students about dressing professionally once they graduate. I think it is important to realize that, as a business owner, this is a loose guide to my typical day; it is not uncommon for me to be working until 2 a.m. But I love what I do, so it doesn't feel like work. I usually take on one movie project each year where I am the costume designer for independent movie/television/web-series productions. This affords me the opportunity to travel, but I am gone for a couple of months at a time, so I am not in the office at all.  Those days are long (at least 12 hours), and strictly focused on that project, so other areas of my business have to take a backseat.

What from your undergraduate educational experience was most helpful in preparing you for this career?
Textile Analysis and Aesthetics were my favorite classes while attending the U of MN. If I had to do it over again I would probably have double majored in Clothing Design and Retail Merchandising. I think the business background I received was invaluable, but I wish I had spent more time with things like fashion illustration, pattern-making etc. Those are the two skills I have had to develop by taking other courses and that I struggle with the most.

What is the biggest misconception about this occupation or field?
That clothing designers all do runway shows and live like Calvin Klein. People don't think about the fact that every article of clothing they put on is 'designed' by someone; that every time they attend a theatrical production the costumes are designed by someone...and those someones aren't necessarily showing at Fashion Week in Paris, but they are making a good living. The biggest surprise was the first thing someone asks me when they find out I am a Clothing Designer: 'Did you make what you are wearing?' They ask it before they even know what category I design.

What advice do you have for current students?
Think about what you liked to do most when you were a child. For me I remember the important things in my life by what I was wearing. I didn't like buying things off the rack and learned to sew when I was 3 years old. I also, liked playing 'business' instead of 'Barbie' when I was little, so it's not surprising that I now own a company. Start networking early, and by that I mean, when you meet people, don't be afraid to ask for their business card and follow-up with a phone call or email. 90% of my new opportunities have come from networking and word-of-mouth.

Is there anything else you would like to add that we didn't ask you?
Decide to do something you are passionate about. When you graduate you will be spending over 2000 hours a year working, so you might as well have fun while you are doing it!