Happy International Women’s Day!

When I founded Clutter, one of the driving forces was to support women on both a local and global scale. Little did I realize how much I would be supported and inspired by fellow ladies myself. If I have learned anything from this first year in business, it is that women can do incredible things, on their own of course, but even more so when we band together. 

In celebration of International Women’s Day I chose to spotlight 8 strong, brave and successful women who wear an uncountable number of hats, lead by example, and inspire me each and every day. With these questions I hoped to learn more about their stories and share them with the Clutter community.

Each of these women has found their purpose and pursue their passions in their work. They have paved their own way, taken risks and found success. One of my favorite things about these interviews is how each woman uniquely interpreted and answered these questions. It is a such a testament to their unique perspective and strong individualism. 

I will say it again, the future is female. 

Kaseedee Pilarz

Q: What is the first descriptor you would use when defining or describing yourself? 

A: Supportive. I love helping others find and achieve their goals/dreams, whether in fitness or business, seeing someone succeed is the most amazing moment.

Q: You have found such passion and success in your work! How would you describe what you do?

A: I help people reach their health and fitness goals using a holistic approach focusing on general well being opposed to the number on a scale while creating opportunities to give back and build a safe space for our community.  I also strive to create a space for small businesses and local artists to create their brand identity and flourish especially during current events where this is a challenge for newer/smaller brands. 

Q: What is a key factor behind your success? 

A: The support of my family, I truly could not have done this without the constant support of my husband and son.  No matter what crazy ideas I have they are always 100% behind me.

Q: Are you a natural risk taker? What is a risk that you have taken recently, and how did it turn out?

A: I am definitely a leap before you look type LOL My biggest risk lately has been expanding my studio during a global pandemic......the jury is still out on that one, some days its amazing and other days it's pull your hair out crazy.....but in the end I strongly believe it's 100% worth it!

Q: How do you prefer to spend your time? 

A: Spending time with my family, running and plotting world domination (well Pilates world domination LOL) 

Q: Who is your lady-hero?

A: I would have to say Katherine Switzer, being the first woman to register for and run the Boston Marathon she is a pioneer for women in sport......but she also represents perseverance, she was told multiple times that she couldn't do it, it was no place for a woman and she kept grinding any never gave up.......I am also inspired by the many female business owners I've connect with as I've been on my journey, they all are strong, giving, determined, bad ass women!

Q: Just for fun, are you more of a sweet or savory type of gal?

A: Sweet 

Jennie Ketchem

Q: What is the first descriptor you would use when defining or describing yourself? 

A: I think I'd describe myself as caring.  It's why I became a nurse.  It's why I travelled to Morocco to help with the clinic.  It was even one of the key motivators in starting my business. I cared about the women I met and wanted to help them find success in the products they were making.  I care about people and want to help whenever and however I can find a way. 

Q: You have found such passion and success in your work! How would you describe what you do?

A: Most days I feel like I'm making it up as I go along. Haha!  But honestly, my business is centered around a passion for people and beautiful things. I consider myself primarily as a relationship builder.  I love meeting the artisans I work with, hearing their stories, and building relationships with them.  I find thier talent inspiring, and I love finding homes for their products.  And on the other end, I love working with my clients, seeing how I can help match their needs/wants in home decor with the talented women and men I'm working with.

Q: What is a key factor behind your success? 

A: Amazing timing. I started the business at a time when Moroccan products are trendy and fashionable.  I've also put a lot of work into building building a reputation for transparency and quality 

Q: Are you a natural risk taker? What is a risk that you have taken recently, and how did it turn out?

A: I would say I'm somewhere in the middle.  I'll take risks, if I have done some research, and have a strong will to see whatever it is through.   I recently agreed to teach my friend's teenage son to drive a stick shift.  There were moments (particularly during the first lesson) that I felt like a crazy person!  But he can drive now.

Q: How do you prefer to spend your time? 

A: I really love to travel and to be outdoors.  An ideal trip would be one where I could do some hiking.

Q: Who is your lady-hero?

A: When I think about a hero, or someone I want to emulate I'm always drawn to women who are courageous, encouraging, and not afraid to take a stand for what they believe.  My grandma Mary was just like that.  She was fearless and strong.  She just did whatever needed to be done, whenever it needed to happen.  She did all the typical household jobs, like cooking, cleaning, and childrearing. But she would also get outside and help with the "dirty" farm jobs, and heavy lifting. She sewed, crocheted, and also did carpentry work.  She taught me how to preserve and can my own food, and she also taught me I could do anything I wanted. She always stood up for the underdog and was compassionate to anyone she met.

Q: Just for fun, are you more of a sweet or savory type of gal?

A: 100% Sweet

Corinna Fielden

Q: What is the first descriptor you would use when defining or describing yourself? 

A: Maker. I’m always making something, usually too many things at once! 

Q: You have found such passion and success in your work! How would you describe what you do?

A: I tend to say decorative artist -  the simplest way to sum up my work as a designer in florals, wallpaper, home textiles, silk scarves and stationary. 

Q: What is a key factor behind your success? 

A: Practice, and obsession. A lot of the things I do took years of learning, trial and error, taking a break and coming back to. Florals, screen printing and pattern design can all be frustrating at times, so having a love for the practice and the hard parts keeps me constantly learning and improving!

Q: Are you a natural risk taker? What is a risk that you have taken recently, and how did it turn out?

A: Definitely not a natural risk taker, but then have random spurts of spontaneity! Investing in my business is definitely a recent risk but it’s going well so far!

Q: How do you prefer to spend your time? 

A: I love to cook, especially for others. It’s a great way for me to unwind and decompress, I really enjoy the creativity of it. I also love to spend time outdoors - long walks, riding bikes, hiking. And playing bananagrams!

Q: Who is your lady-hero?

A: I really admire Rachel Blodgett of Serpent and Bow. She was the year above me in Textiles at CCA and I really appreciated her creative style and the narratives to her work. Feminine but a little spooky. It’s been such an inspiration watching her grow her business and expressing her commitment to sustainable, slow production and finding balance in her practice as a creative.

Q: Just for fun, are you more of a sweet or savory type of gal?

A: Love a sweet treat, I always require a pallet cleanser of some sort be it fruit, a square of dark chocolate or bite of tiramisu.

Jasmine Jacobs

Q: What is the first descriptor you would use when defining or describing yourself? 

A: I’d say I’m just ME. I am a little bit of most things, a yingyang if you will. I am Quirky, weird, shy yet outgoing, fun and boring all at once. 

Q: You have found such passion and success in your work! How would you describe what you do?

A: I create fitness programs that cater to the mind, body, and spirit. I couple my study of psychology and human movement to design fitness plans that pour into the wellbeing of the total person. 

Q: What is a key factor behind your success? 

A: Care. I know how detrimental an unhealthy mind and body can be. I simply want people to a life full of health, joy, and love. I want people to feel good. 

Q: Are you a natural risk taker? What is a risk that you have taken recently, and how did it turn out?

A: I am a risk taker. Recently, I decided to do all things that scare me. Taking risks has never backfired. For me every risk I take leads me to a greater space in business as well as in being. 

Q: How do you prefer to spend your time? 

A: I enjoy nature, music, reading, sports, exercise, bike rides, and ohh how I love eating. Love love love eating.

Q: Who is your lady-hero?

A: My lady hero is my mom. She is the quintessence of love. She is non-judgmental, caring, smart, and the best friend. I am able to move through life in love because of the way my mother loves me.

Q: Just for fun, are you more of a sweet or savory type of gal?

A: You must always mix them duh!

Anjelica James

Q: What is the first descriptor you would use when defining or describing yourself? 

A: I am a seeker. I am always searching for ways to innovate, grow and change myself for the better. I seek to learn more, create more and find ways to make my footprint on this world.

Q: You have found such passion and success in your work! How would you describe what you do?

A: I help my community discover the ability within themselves to succeed. No matter their goals, big or small, I stand with them as they fall in love with the process of accountability and alignment. I also share stories of others who have walked the path before so they know it can be done.

Q: What is a key factor behind your success? 

A: Trusting God & my gut. The amount of times I wanted to talk myself out of this is immeasurable, but I always go back to that feeling. Following what I must do, not what I feel like I should do. Know and trust the difference.

Q: Are you a natural risk taker? What is a risk that you have taken recently, and how did it turn out?

A: I wouldn’t say I’m a natural, but I work hard to find the courage to be. Educated risks are vital. If there’s no risk, where is the motivation? If everything is certain and planned out to a T- that’s not living. Risk is the spice of life. I launched my business amidst an unprecedented pandemic and it has already rewarded me tremendously. 

Q: How do you prefer to spend your time? 

A: I love spending my time with family and friends, savoring delicious food and wine, visiting new places, moving my body, praying, witnessing my husband cook, working with my clients, watching brilliant shows and experiencing magical moments. Is that too much?! Haha

Q: Who is your lady-hero?

 A: Honestly, my lady heroes evolve constantly. One moment it’s my Grandmother or sister. Then my best friend. The author of the book I love. RBG. Oprah. Myself. You. We are all of these amazing, strong, challenging and beautiful women that make the world turn.

Q: Just for fun, are you more of a sweet or savory type of gal?

A: Savory allll the way, except for that wonderful time of the month. Haha.

Erica Alvarez Castro

Q: What is the first descriptor you would use when defining or describing yourself? 

A: Determined. I feel like I have always, really believed that where there is a will, there is a way.

Q: You have found such passion and success in your work! How would you describe what you do?

A: Currently, I am building a company that encompasses, and looks to combine my interests in Interior Design, and Spirituality.

Q: What is a key factor behind your success? 

A: Hard work, plain and simple. Combined with sufficient sleep, haha!

Q: Are you a natural risk taker? What is a risk that you have taken recently, and how did it turn out?

A: I think so, I started a company during this Pandemic! So far, so good... haha!

Q: How do you prefer to spend your time? 

A: I like to spend my free time at home, nesting and re-thinking my spaces. Otherwise, traveling!

Q: Who is your lady-hero?

 A: My mom, and sister -- they are the hardest working, yet loving, women that I know!

Q: Just for fun, are you more of a sweet or savory type of gal??

A: Chocolate, haha! :)

Katelyn Meyer

Q: What is the first descriptor you would use when defining or describing yourself? 

A: I am a Mother. I am proud of all the things I do and have done in my life but nothing makes me more proud than being a mom to my son, Robert.

Q: You have found such passion and success in your work! How would you describe what you do?

A: This will be my tenth year as a nurse and I still have such a passion for my career choice. It’s a privilege to take care of someone in a time of need and the both fulfillment and flexibility.

Q: As an essential worker, your roll has shifted and changed so much this past year, what has given you the courage to continue on as the world shut down? 

A: As an essential worker, my passion for my job has given me the courage to keep moving forward in this past year. I’ve always operated under the rule that I treat my patients the way I would want my family members treated, and even though this pandemic has been scary, that philosophy makes it easy to go to work everyday.

Q: What is a key factor behind your success? 

A: A key factor in my success would be my hard working and dedicated nature. I’m always looking for ways to improve and I try to excel at every task I’m given.

Q: Are you a natural risk taker? What is a risk that you have taken recently, and how did it turn out?

A: I am absolutely not a natural risk taker. I think things over in my head 1,000 times too many and live vicariously through my risk-taking friends ie the lovely Sarah Sacco

Q: How do you prefer to spend your time? 

A: Family time is my favorite time. My husband and I love to fish, hike and travel together. I also love to run and to just be outside as much as possible.

Q: Who is your lady-hero?

A: My mom is my hero. She was a single mother with four children and we never felt the struggle. She is such a giver and as a mom myself now I look at her and cannot imagine how she did it. Moms are superhero’s for sure.

Q: Just for fun, are you more of a sweet or savory type of gal?

A: Sweet 100%

Hailey Hughes

 

Q: What is the first descriptor you would use when defining or describing yourself? 

A: Grit. Grit is a newly defined term, which is a combination of perseverance and effort. This is something that is held naturally within. Even when I don’t want to put in the effort or it is not expected, perseverance and effort are always there no matter the task.

Q: You have found such passion and success in your work! How would you describe what you do?

A: I am an educator, counselor, friend, support system, collaborator, data collection machine, and life coach. Knowing that teaching is more than just the common core standards truly leads to student success and growth.

Q: As an essential worker, your roll has shifted and changed so much this past year, what has given you the courage to continue on as the world shut down? 

A: This is a tricky question! There are so many thoughts and emotions that are sparked by this question. What a year! 

First, I think that knowing that there is an end to this has kept me going. Having the mindset that this is temporary has made it so I can continue with my daily duties. Also, knowing that we are all going through this together has been helpful. Although we all experience and feel this differently, the situation is the same. Finally, being able to spend all the time with my dogs has been wonderful! I feel so lucky to have been able to be with them every day for the past year! 

Q: What is a key factor behind your success? 

A: Taking time off. Being an educator can be fully consuming if I don’t allow time off. This means physically and mentally! Taking (most) evenings and weekends for myself and my family allow me to be present for the kids during the week.

Q: Are you a natural risk taker? What is a risk that you have taken recently, and how did it turn out?

A: Professionally, I am a risk taker. Recently, I requested a position change and asked the director of the Office of Equity and Cultural Proficiency to take me on as an intern. I got the position change, and it has been what I needed to continue in this field. Working with the Office of Equity and Cultural Proficiency has taught me so much and helped me become a better teacher and person. Personally, I am not a natural risk taker.

Q: How do you prefer to spend your time? 

A: Spending time with my husband and dogs is most important in my life.

Q: Who is your lady-hero?

A: My aunt came to mind first. She has worked hard in her career and chased her passions while raising my cousin on her own.

Q: Just for fun, are you more of a sweet or savory type of gal?

A: Savory!