Neoma Accessories started in 2019 with some fabric, a sewing machine, and 26 Instagram followers. I taught myself to sew and sold scrunchies and headbands through DMs and conversations at school.
In 2020, as the world shut down, my dad suggested I try making face masks. I posted a video of a prototype and was flooded with messages asking to order. I started selling face masks and donating one for each one sold. I would ship orders or drop off for people who lived nearby.
With a larger customer base and my restaurant job on pause, I started making other items like bucket hats and purses, exploring using thrifted clothing to make new items.
In summer 2020 I opened a shop on Depop and would send people free products in exchange for them modeling for the brand. I had lots of fun creating new packaging and posting on TikTok.
I was so excited that everything I made would sell – QUICKLY. I began having frequent “drops” and making new items – purses, patchwork, and
In November 2020 I opened my own website and in January 2021 had my first big video on TikTok. The thrill of selling out within a day kept me going, which led to many late nights and high screen time, but what else was there to do during a global pandemic?
Spring 2021 I moved to the Bay Area and took Neoma with me. My wonderful friends would model for me and I set up my sewing machine in my dorm. I’d skateboard to the post office and borrow my sister’s car to go to Joann’s. I sold at my first market and explored further with upcycling, video editing, and balancing the business with work and school.
In 2022, I moved multiple times, bringing my business with me and even selling in a fabric store. I decided to close the website due to a big (temporary) move out of the country and almost deleted my social media accounts and donated all the fabrics I had left, but my friends encouraged me to just leave it on pause.
