003 – Cathy Hay

Since we first met a few years back, Cathy’s expanded into sewing for costuming and period dress… and she brings her own unique flair to everything she does. Every time she enters the room, people take notice. Could be the top hat, could be the flowing skirts or tailored jacket. She radiates style and total comfort in who she’s evolved to be and I LOVE everything about it.

Can’t-Miss Moments From This Episode:

  • From math teacher to “Mary Poppins” – how Cathy followed her inner introvert’s vision to success
  • What happened when Cathy embraced her quiet, geeky side (instead of trying to change herself to “fit” the market)
  • Commissions to content to costumes… what started out as pocket money to fund the passion project ultimately became the business
  • Culture shock: the “exciting, scary, dangerous” perspective Cathy gained when she started making friends with American entrepreneurs
  • Cathy’s version of “pixie dust” – the magical mailing address that has people falling in love with her business and sending incredible handwritten letters from around the world

Cathy’s Bio:

Cathy Hay is the founder of the award-winning online sewing community Foundations Revealed, which helps costume makers to connect, learn together, and realise their most ambitious creative dreams.

She’s run the same online business since 2007, and today leads a team of 15 and a community of around 2500 creative badasses, all while attempting to recreate the most impossible historical dress in the world, and documenting the whole journey on YouTube.

She’s all about redefining how to be happy, fulfilled and successful, not as a go-getting extrovert with aspirational beach waves, but as a creative, sensitive introvert who’s frequently mistaken for Mary Poppins in the grocery store.

Resources and links mentioned:

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