Originally published for Ethel Studio on June 7, 2023
Hello Ethel Studio Family!
It is with both sadness and gratitude that I am announcing we will be closing Ethel Studio on June 28th. It has been such a rewarding and fulfilling 5 years serving you and rescuing as much textile waste as one small business can! The world is constantly changing, and our economic and digital environment is making it harder and harder for small conscious businesses to stay afloat. I could just hunker down and weather the storm, but I've chosen not to.
I've been running the business largely by myself, with some incredible contractors I've hired along the way, along with two studio assistants during various chapters. (Thank you, Katie + Jannat!)
To be honest, I've been thinking about potentially closing for nearly a year now. It was scary to have these thoughts since I had always been so motivated up until then. But I kept going, putting one foot in front of the other, continuing to design and make new products to best serve you and your well-being journey. Yet there was still this nagging feeling that perhaps I've accomplished everything I've needed to with Ethel Studio? Many months later, and after giving myself two months off this spring (to hike the Arizona Trail) to try to regain my spark and drive, I still came to the same conclusion. I feel so deeply grateful for this entrepreneurship journey with Ethel Studio, and I also know that its time has come to an end. I'm so proud of all we've achieved. I've learned so much and made connections to others and myself like I never have before. This has been the greatest spiritual test of my life thus far, and now it is time to create space for what's next.
I'm sad that we will no longer be on the front lines of combating the textile waste issue in the fashion industry, but I trust that we have left our mark, even in our small way. Maybe I've helped pave the way for future designers to come in and pick up where I've left off? I sure hope so.
We're also running a closing sale with everything 30-60% off, so tell all your friends! I'm trying to clear out our inventory as best I can to help recoup costs and get our beautiful designs out into the world one last time. Your help in spreading the word is SO appreciated!
Thank you,
Maggie
Photo by Marcella Laine