It Girl | LARISSA MILLER
I literally have no idea how my path crossed with Larissa but I am so thankful that it did. I have been following Larissa on insta for quite some time. I can safely say that we are now besties. It happened very quickly and organically. She gives me life! I love her creations and I encourage you to support her however you can! Please read all about my (read our) new friend Larissa!
Name: Larissa Miller
Age: 27
Job Title/Company: Designer
Education Background: The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG)
Bachelor of Science in Consumer Apparel and Retail Studies\Concentration: Global Apparel and Related Industries (In short, Fashion Degree!)
In-depth Questions
Tell us a little about who you are.
I am a 20 something, creativity driven millennial (wait, hear me out). I was born in Riverdale, Georgia and grew up in the Triad of North Carolina. I very much thrived on the arts growing up as my mother is an artist as well as having a fondness of discovering music which comes from the many sing-alongs I did with my father. Being somewhat of an only child, my imagination grew into the love of creating new and innovative graphics, patterns, and designs for textiles and fashion. I’m always open to new opportunities to increase my knowledge/skills, visibility and influence in these spaces. I’m a Capricorn Sun, Pisces Moon, and Leo Rising and an Enneagram 2w3 (If any of these resonate with you, we will get along just fine).
In my free time, I collaborate with my peers in helping them reach their goals as well as balancing time to enrich and cultivate my own goals. I blog my life experiences and seek my next adventure (mostly desserts) through my travels to places near and far. I also occasionally enjoy a Netflix tv show binge from time to time.
2. What sparked your interest in starting your business(es)?
In 2019 I had been a full-time designer for my day job for about 3 ½ years and was exhausted by the stress it put on me by night, with little mental capacity for myself outside of weekends. Through personal growth in therapy, my journey for balance and peace proposed a huge question that I could no longer ignore. “Who are you of service to?” At the time, I wasn’t fully of service to my dreams and aspirations, I was spending all of my energy giving to somebody else’s dream and there was not even acknowledgement of the many accomplishments I had put in.I didn’t own any rights over the hard work I had put in. I knew that I needed to refocus my energy on something that was solely mine and something I could create for myself without boundaries or a box.
“give yourself enough grace to keep going even when you make mistakes.”
3. If applicable, tell us about your fulltime job and/or any side hustles you might have.
As of July 8, 2020, I said goodbye to my full time job as a corporate Knit Textile Designer and I am currently transitioning into a new career chapter. I am super excited to get some free time to work on my side hustle baby, RissaLaRue Co until the next opportunity arrives!
4. Who are you most influenced by?
There are levels of influence in my work from things I’ve been able to learn from my awesome creative connections. It truly affirms the capacity I have to push the limits and scope of my work.
5. What was your first job and how long did you hold that position?
I worked at McDonald’s my Junior and Senior year of high school.
My first “big girl” job was as a Textile Knit Designer and I held that position for 4 ½ years.
6. Can you share one of your proudest achievements with us?
One of my proudest achievements was securing a couple designs with a national account and seeing it in places like JcPenney and in showrooms at Las Vegas Market. It’s great to see the fruits of your labor be recognized in that way.
7. What were your initial goals with your work? How have they evolved?
My initial goal was to set up a financial foundation for myself and to learn as much as I can (it was a lot of group think when I first joined the corporate workforce) . That has evolved into understanding my strengths as an individual and the goals have become maintaining a balance of work and well being. I would much rather spend more time pouring more into my dreams rather than someone else’s (in the form of RissaLaRue Co.).
8. What do you think is the most important life skill you learned through your work?
I’ve learned to keep a mindful balance between creating with intention/planning and going with the flow of my intuition.
9. Where do you hope to be in five years?
I will be settled in a city/home that is a better representation of somewhere I could be long term and put down roots. I will have my creative business, RissaLaRue Co. better established and fully functioning. I will also be in a position full time that is aligned more with my values and creating things I can be proud of. I hope to have a lil munchkin or a fur baby (open to both).
“I can get caught up in planning every move and outcome but I continue to coach myself into not focusing on the things I have no control over.”
10. What is a typical day like for you?
A typical day starts with Meditation and getting my mindset ready for the day. Then I make a list of to-dos for the day and make sure I catch up with calendar events. Then it’s jumping into either planning or creating a project. That could look like creating color boards and digital work or dyeing materials and sewing products.
I like to set an end time to end the day spending time in ways that don’t need much brain power like catching up on tv, friends, or a good book.
11. What was the biggest obstacle you’ve faced so far in the process of pursuing your goals?
Being comfortable with not knowing the outcome and embracing the unknown. I can get caught up in planning every move and outcome but I continue to coach myself into not focusing on the things I have no control over.
12. What is the best piece of advice you have received?
Just do it, even if you fuck it up, keep going.
13. When do you get your best ideas?
I get my best ideas when I give myself the space to explore and research, whether it’s deep diving into color studies, history, or trial and error product development. I also get my best ideas after messing things up a few times!
14. Can you share with us one time that you failed and what you learned from that failure?
I've made a few mistakes but never any failures.
15. How do you unwind?
I am a big fan of escapism. Meditation and journaling has been a huge part of my daily slow down and unwind. I’m also a closeted romantic (Pisces Moon) so I love a good rom com movie or book as first choice. An episode of Golden Girls is always a good time too.
16. What would you tell someone else who is interested in entering your field?
If you are looking to get into corporate designing it is important that you be confident in your skill set and what you bring to the table. Having an online portfolio is also important to highlight your journey and strengths that will set you apart from the flood of designers today. (It’s also helpful to have a place to document your wins). Finally do lots of research and find a company that aligns with your values and cares about your personal and professional development.
17. What do you hope people take away from your story?
That it’s beauty in the process of getting where you’re going, it’s alright to continue learning even when you’ve reached a destination and to give yourself enough grace to keep going even when you make mistakes.
18. Anything we missed that you would like to share?
This was an awesome interview, I really dug deep for this. I am open to collaborations and connecting with creatives. Feel free to follow me @Rissalarue / @rissalarue_co. and email: rissalarueco@gmail.com to continue the conversation!
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