After 4 years of operating my business I had the fortunate problem of needing to expand and get help sewing.  I started to form a collective of artists who could share space and start an employment training program with people that we could hire.

Then with bamboo sword strapped to my bike and dress in the backpack I went to a tea party.

I met up with a friend I hadn’t seen in 10 years.  She asked me what I was up to and then for a woman (an executive vice president of a major local non-profit), who doesn’t get “flabbergasted”…did.  She had a grant for economic development through a social venture enterprise related to sewing.

mio: made in oakland was born!

So now, as a perfect complement, that the stars devised for me, I was given the opportunity to implement our VISION to establish Oakland as a hub for sustainable and socially responsible manufacturing that will deliver new sources of work and wealth to people with low-incomes and develop a supportive fashion industry network.

mio’s GOAL: Create 70 ascending and living wage job opportunities to residents of Oakland

mio’s SERVICES: a sewing manufacturing employment training business that provides sample development and production offering:  high quality, quick turn around, eco-certified, and locally manufactured products. MIO will also develop an independent label of upcycled products for the direct and underserved retail markets.

mio’s OUTCOME: one year to the day of launch, the non-profit parent company, The Unity Council, closed the program.  :(   A combination of the economic times, undercapitalization, and outside consultant production expertise resulted in laying off 25 people. The project never realized it’s full potential to be a center for sustainable, local fashion.