How It All Started

 

Before I begin, I want to acknowledge my Mom, who unexpectedly passed away on August 1, 2022. Ma, I would have given everything just for you to see me succeed like we always talked about. I wanted to give up after you left me, but I know you would want me to “Just Keep Going.” So, this is for you Ma, my #1 Fan 🤍🕊 


Welcome, my name is Amanda and I'm the owner of Classic Marie. I grew up with a mom who worked at a sewing factory and I vividly remember her in our room on her sewing machine daily. I was so intrigued on how a sewing machine worked and that's how it all began. By middle school, I asked my mom for a Fashion Barbie CD that allowed you to design clothes for your Barbie and print them out. I had so much fun creating new clothes for my dolls, not knowing this was only the beginning of my love for the field of fashion. 

Moving along to high school, I bought my first handbag pattern from Walmart and began making simple handbags to sell at my local Flea Market. Every weekend my sister and I setup to sell my handbags, but I never made a single sale. One day I took a handbag to school and everyone wanted to know where I bought it. It's crazy to know all the times I spent traveling to make sales and my customers were right at my high school lol 

When I graduated high school, I attended college and received my degree in Fashion Design, with the goal to make prom dresses and venture off from there. I lost interest in sewing clothes for people and at that point I was stuck on what my passion in life was. For years I struggled trying to figure out what to do with my degree and my life for that matter. It wasn't until my first niece arrived, my wheels finally began to turn again. When my niece hit the toddler age, I always dressed her up with cute accessories, from scarves to cute jewelry. The down side was, I struggled to find cute, fashion forward, handbags for toddlers. So, I started researching handbag classes in the Atlanta area. To my surprise, there was no where in my area that taught how to design and make your own handbag. After a long time of searching and sending messages, I finally found a teacher in Savannah, Georgia who was willing to give private handbag lessons. 

While attending these private handbag classes, I drove 3 hours one way to Savannah, Georgia, determined to make my dreams become reality. I began to get serious again about my career goals and I got my business license, business logo, a domain for a future website, EIN number, business checking account, trademarks, and started my Etsy page. I didn't realize how much hard work and research it took to start a business. After I finished all my classes and covered a lot of my business must haves, I came to another halt called procrastination. Just know, procrastination is a killer of all things and it helps having a village to get you through the rough patches. 

I received a random message from my sister one day about a Pop Up event in Augusta, Georgia. She sent me a picture of the flyer and the cost to rent a table. I told her it was a great idea and a great chance to showcase my handbags, but I wasn't ready and my Etsy shop at the time wasn't fully finished. A couple of days went by and my sister texts me again and says, "Hey, the Pop Up event is on September 14th and I already bought you a table, you have a couple months, so show up." Well, I did just that, sometimes you need people in your life that will put a little fire behind you and when someone can see the potential in you; that means a lot. So, on September 14,2019 I introduced my custom handbags for everyone to see and that was my true beginning of showing the world what I had to offer. 

I hope this story inspires someone to never give up on what you're meant to do. Everyone has a passion to fuel their purpose, you just have to pray about it and it will come to pass. This is still only my beginning, I have so much to offer and show the world. It took me so many years to figure out my true passion and that's designing my specialty, handbags and accessories. It's funny how things come around full circle, but let's be clear, sewing is not my forte. I do it because I have to, but I had to experience sewing to learn my true love is being the designer. One day soon, I'll be just the designer over my brand and have a manufacture to make my designs reality. But most importantly, I'm happy to know my passion so I can fulfill my purpose and that's giving back to help those in need. I've had a long list of things I want to do to give back to my community, so that's the ultimate fuel behind my passion, my purpose. 

 

With Love,