Empowerment from an Unlikely Situation
by Veronica Cizmar
I have always wanted to work for myself and received the opportunity about 6 years ago. Having just been released from 16 months of being held hostage and tortured by my former fiancé, I was left with battling post-traumatic-stress-syndrome. Not being able to work and completely bankrupt, I realized it would be quite impossible to merge back into the workforce and toil for someone else. My hostage situation left me with a volatile temper creating at the time, tension in all relationships.
With the help of karate classes I began to deal with my anger issues and gradually came to a place where I could once more enter the workforce. But what to do? Collecting vintage was an old hobby I did as a teenager so along with a friend, began selling vintage clothing on ebay. It proved popular enough to launch a website. A year later I took the company solo and expanded to what it is today - a successful online vintage store, Some Like it Vintage.com. Donating 10% of all my sales to local women's shelters, I am proud to help others who may need escape from a violent situation.
Being a lover of all things vintage connects perfectly with my recycling lifestyle. Sorting through my vintage clothing shipments, I often find garments I can not sell. There is a certain amount of cleaning and repair that is needed with most garments, but then there are those gems that transmit inspiration. Inspiration to alter them slightly or go beyond just a simple re-sewing of a button - these pieces need extra loving care. I name this my 'Creative Vintage' line of clothing. A garment that is updated or changed by sewing other vintage trims or fabrics; shortening or lenghtening...maininting a vintage style but with an urban edge to it. Playing fashion designer allows me to escape from the administrative side of my business and utilize the creative side of my brain! It is equal to a mini holiday allowing me to relax and be thankful for all that has come to me.
Today I am kept busy with running the website, volunteering with and donating to women's shelters, and training in martial arts. Last year I received my first degree black belt in Wado Ryu karate - a proud accomplishment I also share with women at the shelter through monthly self-defense workshops.
To see the Creative Vintage line, visit www.somelikeitvintage.com or http://www.somelikeitvintage.com/category/creative-vintage/catId=3112678
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