Today we’d like to introduce you to Brianna Bruderlin
Hi Brianna, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I started The Fox and the Mermaid in 2015 after a 20 year career as an Executive Producer in reality television. While I enjoyed working as a producer, I didn’t have a lot of balance in my life. I was always traveling and away from my family and friends for long stretches of time, I was always exhausted, and it just didn’t feel sustainable. I always wanted to start my own business, but I never knew where to start. I had only ever worked in entertainment so when I say I was completely winging it, I really mean it. I was always fascinated by other cultures so my dream was to create beautiful things from artisan textiles from around the world, the same kinds of special pieces I would always bring home from my travels.
I got my start by finding a few manufacturers in India who were willing to work with me despite my inexperience and small order size. I created simple, but lovely home decor items such as bedding, cushions, curtains, and dog beds. They become popular quickly and I started getting a lot of custom orders. I was very lucky and my business took off within a few months. I no longer make home decor, I now exclusively do clothing and accessories which is much more complicated, but also very rewarding.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
I can’t say it has ever been easy, nor does it get easier with time. As the company grows, so do the challenges and expenses. Something I hadn’t anticipated is that while I love being my own boss, the stress level is basically the same as it was when I was working for other people. You really do have to love what you do it in order to make it worth it.
There are many struggles, but the biggest is probably working in country halfway around the world. There are so many cuItural differences between India and the US which often leads to misunderstandings, misinterpretations, and differing expectations. Not being there to supervise is also very difficult. I now have a team in India that helps oversee production and keep things moving, but that is relatively new for me.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
My company, the Fox and the Mermaid, specializes in block printed and hand-embroidered clothing with a focus on vibrant colors, handwoven fabrics, natural pigments, and bohemian style. Everything is made using traditional techniques and nothing is mass produced. Most of my clothing is block printed by hand using carved wood blocks dipped into pigments that are stamped onto the fabric. No machinery is used and you won’t find the same pieces anywhere else.
I am especially proud that I have been able to work with and help empower women in rural India. I always seek out female-owned manufacturers to work with because it can be much more difficult for Indian women to get great opportunities or be independent. working with women makes me feel like I am making a difference with my brand.
If you had to, what characteristic of yours would you give the most credit to?
I believe whole-heartedly that determination is the key to success. There have been so many times when it probably would have made sense to close up shop, but I never once considered quitting. There are always challenges, from changing trends, damaged shipments, the pandemic, recessions, etc., but the important thing is being able to be flexible and make changes as needed.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.thefoxandthemermaid.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thefoxandthemermaid/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thefoxandthemermaid/
Image Credits
Photographer: Nomad Family Photo Group
