We had the good fortune of connecting with Maddy Doane and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Maddy, every day, we about how much execution matters, but we think ideas matter as well. How did you come up with the idea for your business?
I’ve always been environmentally driven. I found the idea of recycling clothes compelling; the fact that a complete stranger could discover a newfound love for a discarded piece of clothing. I wanted to take that idea one step further. What if I could curate an audience that loved shopping sustainably but also had an appreciation for exclusive fashion? I employed my determination and taught myself how to sew, and used my artistic vision to make designs that had never been thought of before. The concept of using different items of donated clothing in every piece allows for endless creativity. There is something powerful in owning a piece of clothing that no one else in the world will ever have. My brand is focused on reducing clothing landfill while also providing people with a unique sense of fashion.

Alright, so let’s move onto what keeps you busy professionally?
I design and create one of a kind pieces of clothing. I think what may set me apart from other artists is being able to employ my art into wearable items of clothing that people can appreciate but also enjoy. I am most proud of being able to materialize an idea that people will then choose to spend their money on. It’s mind blowing to have customers spend a large sum of money on something I created within the four walls of my bedroom. Consistency and hard work got me to where I am today. I am consistently coming up with new ideas on how to better my brand, and thinking of new designs people might like. Even though it may feel like my brand’s growth is stagnant at times, I am always growing as a person and learning things that will help me in the future. It’s never been easy to run an entire business by myself, especially while I am a collegiate student athlete. But, the highs always outweigh the lows. Keeping a positive mindset can continue to fuel me when it’s tough. I’ve learned that there are many lessons to learn about running a business, and most of them are taught through experience. While my education has been a great benefit, it’s important to keep in mind that most of my success has evolved because of my personal intuition and instinct. If you’re passionate about what you do, you will find great success within it. And, no matter how grueling it can get, you never know what will come next. So, keep your eyes open. Something I’d like everyone to know is, I started this business during the global pandemic at 18 years old and I intend to become very successful through it.

If you had a friend visiting you, what are some of the local spots you’d want to take them around to?
LA excites me because of its huge range of opportunities and people. Between running my business, school and track, I don’t have the most amount of spare time, but some of my favorite things include going to the Silverlake Flea Market, going to the beach, watching the sunset, and eating out. I am also a thrill seeker, so Six Flags and Disneyland may be in the mix. We’d get boba, Korean BBQ, Din Tai Fung, and Ami Sushi. We’d check out the Getty Museum, maybe catch a concert and go to the Santa Monica Pier. And if there was a UCLA sporting event, we would definitely be in the crowd.

The Shoutout series is all about recognizing that our success and where we are in life is at least somewhat thanks to the efforts, support, mentorship, love and encouragement of others. So is there someone that you want to dedicate your shoutout to?
My family has never been anything but supportive of my business and goals. Whether it’s housing all of the clothes I buy, listening to my sewing machine run at all hours of the night or tuning in to my live sales. They have always believed in my abilities and knew I would succeed. I’d also like to thank my best friend who bought me my first sewing machine, knowing I’d be great at it. She also models free of charge 🙂

Website: https://greenwrld-co.myshopify.com/

Instagram: @greenwrld.co

Nominate Someone: ShoutoutLA is built on recommendations and shoutouts from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.