Breezy Basics For Every Body: How This Founder Built a Feel-Good Brand On A Small Budget

Q: When did you realize you could turn sewing clothes into a real business?

Desiree: I began sewing around 2017 because I couldn’t find clothing that felt comfortable for me — everything seemed itchy or poorly fitted. Eventually friends started asking where they could get them. That curiosity grew into early morning sewing sessions, meeting people in the fashion world who introduced me to factories and pattern makers, and slowly realizing this passion might actually be something bigger. Becoming a new mom also shifted my perspective — that’s when I decided to take the leap and focus on building the brand full time.

Q: What digital shift has had the biggest impact on growing PopLinen?

Desiree: Early on, I realized that relying solely on direct-to-consumer sales wasn’t realistic unless you have huge advertising budgets. Instead, we diversified. Being present on major retail marketplaces has been huge for us because customers go there already intending to buy something specific — like a black tee or a jogger set. It allows smaller brands like ours to get discovered organically without competing as heavily for ad space.

Q: What mindset nearly held you back, and how did you overcome it?

Desiree: I didn’t come from a traditional fashion design background, so I often worried people would question why I was starting a clothing brand. But eventually I realized that not knowing the “rules” can actually be a strength; it forces you to work really hard and figure out how you make it work for you. I learned every part of the supply chain, asked questions, and built relationships with pattern makers and factories who could guide me. I learned production and sourcing myself, which ultimately helped us run the business more efficiently and confidently.

Q: Whose entrepreneurial journey has inspired the way you run your business?

Desiree: I really admire Sara Blakely, the founder of Spanx. She’s obviously incredibly smart and innovative, but she also leads with empathy and actively champions other women entrepreneurs. That balance of confidence and humility is something I find inspiring. It shows that you can build a successful company without being cutthroat — that values and kindness can still be part of the business conversation.

Q: What’s one small move that created a big result for your business?

Desiree: At first AI felt scary, but once I started experimenting with it, I realized how powerful it could be. I’ve used it for things like financial forecasting, inventory planning, and scenario modeling for our business goals.

Q: What’s one piece of advice you wish you’d known sooner?

Desiree: I wish I had known that not every business needs to chase venture capital right away. Looking back, I wish I had trusted my instincts earlier and focused on alternative ways to grow — like grants, loans, and reinvesting revenue — instead of spending time trying to fit into a funding model that didn’t really suit us.

Q: How has the Verizon Small Business Digital Ready program helped propel your business to the next level?

Desiree: I was honestly surprised when I first explored the platform because everything is free. A lot of business resources require memberships or subscriptions, but this felt genuinely accessible. The courses are incredibly practical — whenever I have even 30 minutes, I can jump into a class on something specific, whether that’s reviewing contracts, understanding financing options, social media marketing, or learning how to use AI tools for business.

What I’ve especially appreciated are the learning pathways. For example, you might start with an introductory course on AI, then move into more advanced sessions about prompts and specific tools for finance, marketing, or content. It’s structured in a way that helps you keep building knowledge rather than stopping at the basics.

Q: Have you applied those lessons directly to your business?

Desiree: Absolutely. One example was a course on reviewing contracts. I was negotiating a potential partnership and wanted to understand what red flags or clauses I should be paying attention to. That class helped me ask better questions and push for changes that protected my brand, especially around timelines and terms.

The financing courses were also helpful. They introduced alternative lenders beyond traditional banks, which led me to explore options like Accion. That ended up being a great fit for how I wanted to grow the business.

'Propel' Tips For Growing Your Small Business

Propel Tip #1: Trust your business model — you don’t have to follow the VC playbook.

Propel Tip 2: Diversify your sales channels so customers can discover you in more places.

Propel Tip #3: Use AI and digital tools to save time and make smarter decisions.