CEO and Founder of Piece and Co., Micro-financier, Global Citizen
Kathleen Wright. Kathleen launched Piece & Co. with the mission to empower women and artisan communities in developing nations. In addition to building a bridge between the artisan communities and the global fashion industry, environmentally sustainable practices are being implemented into communities of more than 5,000 artisans through Kathleen's vision. With tireless perseverance and passion, Kathleen Wright is a testament to the fact that your dreams and doing the right thing can and should go hand in hand.
Q: Where is home?
A: My home is in Chicago and my office is in New York so sometimes I think a plane is my home.
Q: Mantra you live by?
A: Do one thing every day that scares you.
Q: How would you describe yourself in 3 words?
A: Happy, anxious, dauntless.
Q: Favorite song of all time?
A: I could never pick just one- music is my lifeline but, depending on the day probably something by Sam Cooke, Otis Redding, Jay Z, Kanye West, or Dolly Parton (so, I’m very consistent :)
Q: Complete the sentence: I got my big break when...
A: I found people in my industry that I connected with at a real level and they lifted me up onto their shoulders.
Q: Last album you listened to?
A: Hamilton (it’s like a disease I can’t cure)
Q: A woman you admire?
A: Eleanor Roosevelt and my sisters.
Q: Complete the sentence. When I wake up in the morning I -----
A: Head straight for the coffee and then meditate.
Q: Best advice you’ve ever been given?
A: Don’t be so freaking hard on yourself.
Q: One thing not many people know about you?
A: I grew up in a rural area on a pig farm and to this day, pigs are my favorite animal and I feel most at home on a farm.
Q: Your advice to an emerging maker?
A: Worrying about what may or may not happen can swallow you hole, the trick is to stay present and do what you need to do that day without letting your fears about tomorrow creep in.
Q: The time I nearly gave up...Explain?
A: So many times!!! There have been many time where I have let self doubt creep in and seep into my bones to bring me to the brink. No matter what the catalyst, whether it be the loss of an important customer or a key employee or just bombing in a meeting the real culprit that makes me question everything is self doubt. Over time, I have learned that even the darkest night really will end and then sun will rise and now I hold onto that thought knowing that this too shall pass .
Q: Complete this sentence: The future is female because.......
A: Women have not even scratched the surface when it comes to unlocking our true potential and power. I honestly believe that for generations we, as women, have been conditioned to put others first at the expense of ourselves, to withhold our opinions at the risk of offending someone, to color within the lines that will not make others uncomfortable and more and more I am beginning to see women challenge that. In this moment, every time we encourage each other to speak our truth and be true ourselves we are getting more and more powerful. We are waking up.