Each month, Built in Los Angeles features some of the key players in Los Angeles' burgeoning tech space and the women who are making it all happen. We'll ask these founders, strategists, developers and innovators what drives them forward, their secrets to success, and what advice they have for the next generation of female entrepreneurs.
Katherine Hanson
Departing from her background in the art world, Katherine Hanson went with her gut and followed her passion, founding SheTrusts.com, a website dedicated to providing women with solid advice on brands to trust when it comes to the fashion industry – turning Fast Fashion on its ear.
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WHAT DO YOU DO?
I am the founder of SheTrusts.com, the first website dedicated to providing fashion quality and durability reviews based on the lives of real women, or more commonly referred to as the “Angie’s List” for women’s fashion and lifestyle products. We’re out to disrupt “fast fashion” by inserting the conversation about quality and durability back into the fashion dialogue for female consumers.
HOW DID YOU BECOME AN ENTREPRENEUR?
I had originally thought of the idea for SheTrust.com a few years ago while working as a contemporary art gallery director. Yet despite making changes and adjustments in my career trajectory I felt increasingly more and more dissatisfied. Plus, my ambitions and passions for SheTrusts only increased as I continued to see a growing need for this kind of fashion site for women. It was after my last birthday that I simply I told myself that I was going for it, and I’ve never looked back!
As I’m sure any entrepreneur can attest, it was no different from any other decision I had ever made for myself in my life as I simply saw it as the next step I needed to take. Now that doesn’t mean that this journey hasn’t been scary, challenging, and at some points downright intimidating, but it was merely by choosing to act on my ideas and by coming from a “place of yes” that I found myself as a tech entrepreneur.
WHAT'S THE BEST ADVICE YOU EVER RECEIVED?
“Don’t let the bastards set your standards.” This gem of wisdom comes from my father and has always been his go-to words of advice. Essentially, it means don’t let someone else’s behavior or choices dictate your response. It consistently reminds me that the truest test of character isn’t how you are on your best days, but it is how you handle yourself on your worse days or when things don’t go right that really matter.
WHAT'S YOUR BIGGEST CHALLENGE ON A DAILY BASIS?
My biggest challenge on a daily basis is reminding myself to be present. I’m consistently thinking ahead to the next thing or reflecting on the events of the day that I often forget to stop and be present in what it is I’m doing in that moment. That, and time - there just simply aren’t enough hours in the day.
WHAT'S YOUR SECRET WEAPON?
My intuition.
WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE INDULGENCE?|
Really. Good. Food.
WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST JOB?
My first “real” job was a curatorial internship at the Jule Collins Smith Museum of Fine Art where I went to college, Auburn University. I got the job by asking if they had ever worked with any interns (they didn’t) and by telling them that they should hire me to be their first (they did).
WHAT'S YOUR ADVICE FOR YOUNGER WOMEN?
Just do you - listen to your inner voice and stay true to what is in line with your vision for your life. And never underestimate the importance of investing in quality accessories.
Connect with Katherine on Built in LA, email her at [email protected], and follow her on Instagram (@SheTrustsKate) and Twitter (@KHansonLA)!
