Photo by Danny Fulgencio
Our Fierce Female Stephanie Giddens created Vickery Trading Co. in 2016. A business that provides fair trade clothing and accessories, created by refugees in the Vickery Meadow area. Since COVID-19, her business has shifted to sell face masks. Here’s how she’s doing:
What are you doing now?
Vickery Trading Co. has shifted our business model during this time to allow our Associates to work from home. We’re sewing face masks and this is providing much-needed income for the refugee women we employ. We’ve even been able to temporarily hire 12 graduates and former Associates while they are out of work. We offer personal masks for adults ($12) and kids ($10) as well as sponsored masks for $8. Sponsored masks are made from donated fabric and once made, masks are donated to medical professionals and organizations serving our community. It’s been quite an undertaking, but our Associates are thrilled to give back to the community that has given so much to them. Masks are available at here.
[quote align=”right” color=”#000000″]”It’s helped the days pass more quickly and made me thankful to live in a great neighborhood like Lake Highlands.”[/quote]How are you coping during the pandemic?
Vickery Trading is hanging in there. We’re not able to provide our full offering of educational classes while everyone is at home, so we’re ready to get back to the office for learning and to see each other when it’s safe to do so. Personally, I’m like most other parents out there…juggling work and home-schooling three kids has been challenging but had sweet moments of family time. My neighbors have taken to a socially-distanced happy hour in the evenings. It’s helped the days pass more quickly and made me thankful to live in a great neighborhood like Lake Highlands.
If you could go back in time to your high school, what advice would have for yourself?
Try to figure out what you enjoy learning and let yourself get excited about it. Don’t just pass the time trying to make grades – figure out what you love and what you’re good at, even if it’s not the “cool” thing or what all of your friends are doing. It will save a lot of time and heartache later on.
