Katy Sheridan: Shindig!

In your words… Tell us about your organization, business, initiative.

Shindig is a mother-daughters collaboration. We create a variety of items we consider fun. Our inventory consists of upcycled clothing, pinbacks, enamels, jewelry and accessories. We take pride in our unique package design and custom art work on vintage cases. We currently vend at shows around the New England area and recently opened an online shop.

Tell us a bit about you and why you do what you do? Share your passions for your business, initiative, organization.

I started selling antiques, art and collectables 10 years ago when my oldest started college and I realized I needed a part time job to afford tuition. I would sell in the summer season and saw success. My last year of teaching I noticed my spirit had faded due to conditions where I worked. I didn’t like going to work anymore but I loved my part time gig. I decided to take an early retirement and make up the paycut by making my part time my full time. My college educated daughters both saw an opportunity to join me and add their talents to the business and we have seen it grow tenfold in the past year. My goal is to own live in studio space where we can create product and develop new ideas. We would love to be able to hold classes or rent art space to create revenue from our location.

What role do you think your business plays in supporting a more creative community? OR your community in general. (Bonus! Why do you think a more creative community is important?)

My business plan includes all of the above. At Lowell High School I taught an adaptive art class with students who had a range of abilities but many challenges. I found my place teaching those kids. Although I love to teach all levels the “life skills” students were my favorite. I have dreamed of winning the lottery so I could open a store and I could hire my kids and give them a purpose after graduation. For many of them school was the best part of the day. I will always teach and will strive to be a good mentor to kids who want to make a living out of making and creating. A creative community is a no brainer. Having spent years putting together school plays, art shows, parade floats, proms, graduation ceremonies, football rallies, you name it, I know you can’t do it without a strong community of support. I know from years of experience if you give something, you get something. If you’re open and generous you’ll get back more then you ever gave.

What was the last video you watched that made an impact on you?

Fresh Dressed FRESH DRESSED is a fascinating, fun-to-watch chronicle of hip-hop, urban fashion and the hustle that brought oversized pants and graffiti-drenched jackets from Orchard Street to high fashion’s catwalks and Middle America shopping malls. Reaching deep to Southern plantation culture, the Black church and Little Richard, director Sacha Jenkins’ music-drenched history draws from a rich mix of archival materials and in-depth interviews with rappers, designers and other industry insiders, such as: Pharrell Williams, Damon Dash, Karl Kani, Kanye West, Nasir Jones, and André Leon Talley. The result is a passionate telling of how the reach for freedom of expression and a better life by a culture that refused to be squashed, would, through sheer originality and swagger, take over the mainstream.

What’s the one thing people would be surprised to learn about you our your business?

My daughter Michaella lives on a converted school bus which I often joke about I’m actually very proud of her. She lives totally debt free and very modestly. I admire her for doing something many people only talk about. Her life is truly an adventure.

WANT TO LEARN MORE? GO TO THEIR WEBSITE SHINDIGSTUDIOS.COM

INTERESTED IN HAVING YOUR BUSINESS FEATURED AND PARTNERING WITH THE COLLECTIVE TO GROW YOUR BUSINESS? #JOINCREATIVECOLLECTIVE TODAY.