We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Dawn Pilpel. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Dawn below.

Dawn, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today What were some of the most unexpected problems you’ve faced in your business and how did you resolve those issues?

19 years of being the owner/designer of iWEAR …do you? have been a rollercoaster ride. There’s been ups and downs, however, nothing could have prepared me for 2020, when the world shut down.

2019 was a great year for iWEAR and I was looking forward to an even better 2020.
I was excited, travelled a lot throughout 2019 and booked shows that were new to my company. Travelling state to state is hard and exhausting, but also fun and rewarding. The trade shows and events went well and because of that I committed to the 2020 shows.

2020 arrives and with all new years, we hope it will be better than the previous.
This one was different.
January was a quiet month which allowed me to build up my inventory for the months ahead. As it got closer to my first show, I was hearing about the pandemic, but not quite believing it – until I began to receive emails, emails cancelling the shows, one after another.
I was in complete disbelief. My main stream of income was being cancelled show by show by show.
It was devastating. In April of 2020, when everything was under lockdown, I remember breaking down in my living room, wondering what on earth I was going to do.
When you’ve become accustomed to a life on the road, travelling and selling your goods, being told you cannot, is a tough pill to swallow.

I had no choice but to figure out alternatives, which included working other jobs while redesigning iWEAR’s online store and creating a bigger presence on social media.

It’s been quite a trip, to say the least, change is far from easy, but this was one time that I really had to step it up.

Dawn, 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?

I was born and raised in Toronto, Ontario. I discovered a love of art and fashion at a very young age. Growing up in a cosmopolitan city, I had the opportunity to experience both.

It was during the time I was working as a buyer in a specialty boutique in Columbus, Ohio that I was inspired to create my own brand of clothing – iWEAR …do you?. Once I relocated to South Florida I added handmade jewelry & accessories to my line. It’s a wonderful place to create and show off fashion.

Drawing from my education, a philosophy and sculpture background, I succeeded in designing a fabulously unique line of jewelry using only common metal components and as of 2021 I’ve expanded my line to gemstones and precious metals.
I hand make all the pieces, holding myself to the highest standards.

My art is about empowering others to be who they want to be, whether it’s making a statement through jewelry or clothing – it’s all about uniqueness.
I’m so proud that my customers are able to express themselves through my creations. I’ve made and sold thousands of pieces – each person has a different story yet they are all able to stand out in their own unique way.

I began this journey in 2003 and it has not been without challenges. I wouldn’t be where I am today if it wasn’t for perseverance. Being an artist in today’s world is all about taking risks, having a clear goal in mind and not backing down. You have to believe in what you do and keep the course despite criticism and negativity. You need to focus on what drives you and tune everything else out.
Throughout the years many aspects of my work have changed but one thing will always remain the same…

iWEAR …do you? is about standing out, being you and never apologizing for who you are.

Have you ever had to pivot?

There are times when you get really comfortable and forget to pivot and change things up, especially in fashion. I really felt it, this past year. The effects of 2020 were still lingering, as they are to this day. This opened my eyes quite a bit, realizing how quickly life can change and how quickly you need to alter your life to fit what’s going on. I decided to expand my iWEAR designs into other mediums.
Adding a new and completely different jewelry line of precious metals and gemstones to #rockyourworld and incorporating my own hand drawn artwork and ideas into a new line of t-shirts and accessories.

The changes have been scary, yet exciting, but thankfully well received, which makes it quite rewarding.
iWEAR …do you? designs have always been and will continue to be gender neutral – they are for everyone, everywhere.
As an artist, it’s very freeing to be able to pivot, change and express yourself in as many mediums as you can.

Can you share one of your favorite marketing or sales stories?

2020 was a surreal year, the lockdown, being away from my family and friends, it was challenging to my mental state and hard, very hard to deal with.

I felt we all needed a little lighthearted humor to help get through the unknown.
As most of my friends and family know my language can be a bit colorful at times, to be clear, not insulting or hateful, just a little descriptive and colorful.
In May 2020 I created a product you could share with family and friends that could add a bit of laughter + a little love and would let the recipient know you care –
The “get a f*ck, give a f*ck” ring set – an adjustable brushed aluminum ring with f*ck (inscribed with a heart on the front of the ring), the rings come gift wrapped with a note card saying “…because I give a f*ck” (keep one ring for yourself and give the others away).

I wasn’t sure how it would play out, were people going to laugh and love it or scowl and get offended?
It turned out to be one of my best-selling pieces, the price point makes it a great little pick me up or a gift just to show someone you care.
It’s now available as a single ring for $10 – a 2 ring set for $18 and a 3 ring set for $25.
I’m so proud that I was able to add something to a time in our lives when a lot of us felt lost.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.iweardoyou.net
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/iweardoyou
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/iweardoyou
• Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/dawnpilpel
• Twitter: www.twitter.com/iweardoyou