Inspired by Katherine Hanson and her journey to entrepreneurship – she’s the founder of SheTrusts.com, the first website dedicated to providing fashion quality and durability reviews, based on the lives of real women (some have called it the “Angie’s List” of the fashion and lifestyle world) – we wanted to talk more about the site, and what she foresees for the coming year.
But first, a little backstory: Hanson says that the idea started when she wanted to invest in what she thought were the perfect “go-to classic black flats to wear to work,” but instead, she ended up with a pair of shoes so worn out that they were unwearable, only two months later. “If I had known the lifespan of these shoes,” Hanson says. “I don’t believe I would have purchased them in the first place.” And so SheTrusts.com began...
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The site is still new and is building momentum, featuring detailed reviews, images, and its own four-tier rating system: Trust it!, Proceed with Caution, Empty Promises, and Cheap Thrills. You can visit the site to see which products have received each of these designations, but with a drawer full of tees I rarely wear, I have to say: I’m excited to test out one contributor’s assertion that “Your hunt for the perfect t-shirt is over,” not just because of the claim, but because of who’s making that claim - trusted women who have actually used these items.
Hanson says the site is committed to becoming the go-to destination for consumer reviews and utilitarian information, while still maintaining the look, feel, and eye, of a fashion blog: a reliable source for women who want to invest in stylish, high-quality fashion. The site will also profile its contributors, and offer peeks into what real-life products celebrities and other style icons depend upon – from high fashion to drugstore makeup – with a keen eye toward both style and durability.
So what’s next? In addition to maintaining its clean, simple interface and building its community, SheTrusts.com is currently seeking a Technical Co-Founder to help the site grow and develop what Hanson envisions for the future, which includes a mobile app for on-the-fly purchasing decisions, a conversation about advertising while maintaining an objective and unbiased perspective, and the building of a dual-experience for the user at any level of involvement: a place where women can do detailed searches on a kind of item they want to purchase, or find a detailed review on a specific product.
“I have big dreams for this site,” Hanson says. “Women want to know which products to trust, and which to choose....so many people are about fast fashion. But what are you really getting and what are you supporting when you make those purchases? We’re smarter consumers than this, and I want to help women find that information.”
Get involved: SheTrusts.com is currently searching for a Technical Co-Founder, but is always looking for new contributors to the site. Connect with Katherine on BILA or email her at [email protected]
