Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Angela Melfi. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Angela, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today How do you feel about asking friends and family to support your business? What’s appropriate, what’s not? Where do you draw the line?

By the nature of our business we train new Threads Socialpreneurs to START with their friends and family. We connect women through the fair trade of artisan jewelry putting income and resources into the hands of impact-driven women and we start by connecting our own communities.. our friends.. our family.. Women are nervous about this and I understand. We don’t want to sound salesy, ‘mix business with friendship’, or impose.
At Threads Worldwide, we take imposition and flip it on its head recreating the context to one of inclusion. If a friend of mine started her business and invited everyone to support her except me, I would feel left out.
By inviting everyone – they are included and can choose to participate, or not.
What if you opened a restaurant? You would invite everyone you know to opening night to celebrate with you. To support you! With the right mindset, the same is true with a new business.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers

Hi! I started Threads Worldwide with my two besties to put income and resources into the hands of impact-driven women around the world. I love travel, business, entrepreneurship, and personal development – all elements we infused into Threads Worldwide! Women participate in creating a global marketplace alongside us to get a sense of community, purpose, and extra income + we travel together which is the best thing ever.
Our vehicle for connection is fair trade jewelry, bags, and home goods.

Can you talk to us about how your side-hustle turned into something more.

I started Threads Worldwide after I couldn’t unsee the idea of it. At the time I had a well-paying-work-from-home-travel-anywhere-on-the-company marketing job so started Threads as a side-hustle. I wanted to leave my job and my parents were nervous. When my besties were nervous – I listened and waited.
I built Threads to the point that I could uncomfortably leave my comfortable job to pursue my passion. It’s been critical to be married to my husband who not only supports, but pushes me and my dream.

Have you ever had to pivot?

On March 11th 2020 97% of our business came from in-home parties where women would get together, drink wine, and shop fair trade jewelry. On March 12th everyone started canceling and by March 13th we sweat through our clothes knowing we needed a new sales channel. We created ways to sell on Facebook, Zoom, and most surprisingly and successfully – on text. Over the next two years we tip-toed in and out of virtual and in-person and are hopeful for the return of in-person gatherings so the balance of the sales channels is more equal.

Contact Info

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• Website: www.threadsworldwide.com
• Instagram: @threadsworldwide
• Facebook: @threadsworldwide

Image Credits
Noelle Williams Photography