12/31/2023
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https://www.facebook.com/100064803395475/posts/764716825698424/?mibextid=K8Wfd2
Excuse me for this being a bit long and me being slightly angrier than normal. It’s been a tough year!
Firstly, I wish I could hug every one of you and thank you personally for continuing to support us, in this crazy dream of making clothes that fit everyone at every size that are ethically made and affordable, as well as the tandem journey of representation and inclusion. We want to show the world as it really is, not a horrifically selective and sanitised sliver of it. I know we are far from perfect, but we will continue to push and push together to change the world in these small ways.
All through 2023 we’ve looking at ways of funding what you want from us, more stock ordered, quicker lead times, more availability and it’s been eye opening. The investment community just don’t see anything is wrong:
‘Clothes fit fine, if they fit better everyone would sell less’ ‘What’s wrong with ethical clothes being expensive? It’s just more margin!’, ‘Why do you have so many fat people on your website? You’ll put thin people off!’, ‘I don’t have a problem finding clothes so why would anyone else’.
It’s literally like they don’t see us - women, gender diverse people, people of different sizes, different ethnicities, people with different abilities, the neuro spicy, people with tattoos and crazy coloured hair and people who just believe that you deserve to be comfortable in what you wear.
We are still seen as different and alternative when in reality we are the silent unseen majority.
Something I am determined to change.
We are not going to stop fighting.
We aren’t going to give up.
We won’t stop. It’s just too important.
I don’t want future generations hating themselves in the way we did because we thought our bodies were wrong, and not the clothes.
So, remember with the onslaught of pressure coming from all those who seek to profit from self-hatred - your body is yours and it’s perfect. You don’t need to be a different size, more accomplished, prettier, funnier, more well-read. You just need to be you and you don’t need to change a thing.
Being an entrepreneur is tough, being a female one is tougher. I can’t count the number of times people have asked if I wouldn’t rather have a ‘symbolic role’ rather than actually running the business and it’s not just me it’s a pattern of female entrepreneurs being ousted from their businesses, replaced with men from ‘traditional’ backgrounds who ‘know’ how to run a business ‘properly’. I believe it’s possible to run a business that genuinely has a positive impact on society and the world.
More businesses that do good are the key to making society fairer and putting the environment at less risk. If we run businesses in exactly the same way we always have, we’ll get the same horrific results. We have to do things differently.
I think it’s really important we have more businesses owned and run by members of the communities they serve, and their are some amazing ones out there, businesses like (see comments for L1NKs) Spark Company (the most thought provoking t shirts), Champo (the only reason I have any hair after having my second baby), Cutter & Squidge (sheer indulgent yumminess) and Topple and Burn (swear your opinions as jewellery) - I’d love it if you’d share yours too and we can see if we can give them all a little boost.
Despite what the government says the price of food and energy is astronomical it’s almost impossible to make ends meet and it’s in times like these people become more entrepreneurial to fill those gaps, and I want the new generation of entrepreneurs to have a better experience than I’ve had. So, if you are thinking of starting your own business and ever need any help I’m here for you - you can get hold of me on
[email protected].
Thank you so much for listening to my rant, I honestly couldn’t keep going every day without the incredible love and support you give Snag. Every time I read a comment or review talking about the difference our clothes have made to someone’s life it reminds me that all of the crap is absolutely worth it. I don’t think any of us is sorry to see the back of 2023, but I wish love and acceptance to each and every one of you for 2024, may it be the year we really start making the world a better place for the next generation.
(Little Kalliope enjoying raspberries! I wish you this much joy in 2024)
