We were lucky to catch up with Annarose Quinn recently and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Annarose, thanks for joining us today. Let’s kick things off with your mission – what is it and what’s the story behind why it’s your mission?

At 50fifty, our mission is rooted in creating awareness, education, and change around the topic of sexual assault. This isn’t just a mission we put on paper; it’s deeply personal to me as the founder and to many others who are part of our community. In August 2020, I became a survivor of sexual assault—a traumatic experience that changed the course of my life. Through that difficult journey, I realized the importance of not only healing but also using my voice to spark conversations that are often uncomfortable yet necessary. The statistics are staggering, and yet, there is a deafening silence around the issue.

I felt a profound need to create a platform that not only supported survivors but also sparked a much-needed conversation. Hence why 50fifty is more than just a clothing brand; it’s a movement. We’re committed to using clothing as a catalyst for change. Every piece we create is a statement, a symbol of solidarity with survivors. I want to ensure that no one feels alone in their journey and that we, as a collective society, work towards building a culture of consent, respect, and support.

Annarose, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?

Hi, I’m Annarose Quinn, the founder of 50fifty. I’m a proud graduate of the University of Arizona, where I earned both my BSBA in Marketing & Business Management and my Master of Science in Marketing. I currently live in Scottsdale, Arizona, with my significant other, Cruz, and our rambunctious puppy, Milo. Alongside 50fifty, I’ve been working full-time at a marketing agency for almost two and a half years, which has been an amazing experience in honing my skills and pushing my creative boundaries. When I’m not busy with 50fifty or working at the agency, you can find me enjoying (probably too much) coffee, attending networking events, watching sitcoms on repeat, and spending quality time with my family.

I started 50fifty after graduating college in 2022 because I wanted to turn my trauma into something productive, something that could create good in the world. In 2020, I was sexually assaulted, and it was a life-altering experience. After going through therapy, filing a police report and receiving a lot of support from loved ones, I realized that there was a need to start conversations around sexual trauma and build a community where survivors feel seen and heard. That’s what 50fifty is all about—bringing people together, creating awareness, and promoting consent culture through clothing and conversation.

50fifty is unique because it’s not just a brand; it’s a platform for storytelling and healing. Our products are designed to spark conversations about sexual violence prevention. In addition to clothing, I frequently engage in public speaking, particularly with Greek life organizations, to raise awareness about sexual assault prevention and consent culture. I’ve also partnered with companies like Xantus Drinksafe to promote drink safety as a crucial step toward creating safer environments within our current party and drinking culture.

But what I’m most proud of are our capsule collections. These collections are designed by survivors who share their own stories through their creations. Our first capsule collection was with Karaline Soncrant, who I’ve known since childhood, and it was incredibly meaningful to see her express her journey through her designs. Our next capsule collection launches on September 20th with Kalyn Elizabeth Wood, who created a short film, Screaming Silence, that beautifully captures the journey of recovery from sexual assault.

For anyone new to 50fifty, I want you to know that this brand is a community. It’s a place where survivors and supporters can come together, share their stories, and know that they are not alone. We’re committed to making a difference, not just through our clothing but by using our platform to promote awareness, education, and healing. Every purchase supports this mission, with a portion of our profits going to organizations like RAINN. We’re here to create change, and we’re so grateful to have you with us on this journey!

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

A lesson I had to unlearn was the deeply ingrained beliefs surrounding sexual assault perpetrators and survivors, as well as the shame and guilt that often follow survivors. Before my experience, I had preconceived notions about who perpetrators are and what it means to be a survivor, but the reality was far more complex. I never imagined that someone I considered a friend could assault me, nor that I would be abandoned by another close friend during that time. It was a harsh realization that there isn’t a predictable formula for when, where, or by whom sexual assault happens, and there’s no set path for how you process it afterward. From this, the biggest thing I had to learn that it’s not my fault, and that the shame and guilt does not belong to me.

We’d love to hear a story of resilience from your journey.

One story that illustrates my resilience is how I handled the aftermath of my sexual assault. After the incident, I was diagnosed with chronic PTSD and spent months grappling with the emotional toll of the trauma. I felt isolated and afraid to share my story, but with the support of my therapist, I found the courage to tell my family and eventually filed a police report. The process of seeking justice was grueling, but I refused to let my experience define me in a negative way. Instead, I channeled my pain into creating 50fifty and creating spaces for awareness, education, and support for survivors. I am lucky enough to be sharing my story with other survivors, speaking to sororities and fraternities and I get a chance to make a real difference because of what I’ve been through. Building 50fifty from the ground up has been a testament to my resilience and my commitment to making sure no one else feels alone in their journey.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.50fifty.co
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/50fifty.co
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100092008416320
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/50fifty-co
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@50fifty-co
• Other: https://www.tiktok.com/@50fifty.co