From 2021 to 2022, I consulted with Nest to conduct qualitative research and landscape mapping for Makers United, a program providing access to resources and market opportunities for Garment District’s small business owners.

NYC’s Garment District has experienced a steady economic decline in recent years. In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic forced shops and factories to close for months. Low margins and high rent costs meant immigrant business owners struggled to stay afloat. Some filed for bankruptcy while others subsisted on loans and savings.).

How might we support Garment District business owners after COVID-19?

🧵 The study’s objective was to measure the impact of Makers United and design marketing/educational resources to improve access to income.

I led a research study of 50 immigrant business owners in NYC’s Garment District, including seamstresses, embroiderers, pleaters, pattern-makers, and wholesale distributors, on their needs after COVID-19 and how the Makers United Program could support them.

💡 Generational talent gap: Rent and marketing are barriers to income, but many feel trapped in the systemic problem of a new generation (of immigrants, mostly) not wanting to work in sewing factories. The skills drain is detrimental to the survival of fashion in NYC.

💡 Opportunities for specialty services: High-end designers sought embroidery, pleating, and weaving, more so than pattern-making and sewing.

Deliverables I owned:

🎯 Conducted 35 interviews with business owners about their needs and wants using Qualtrics and then Excel to analyze the data

🎯 Conducted 50 surveys to understand program implementation preferences based on interviews

🎯 Designed and implemented a job fair and legacy planning panels for participants

🎯 Produced the report The Handwork Landscape: New York City Garment District and an updated sourcing guide to bring awareness to local suppliers

Recommendations:

💼 Rather than job listings, I recommended a job fair to bring universities, labor organizations, and Garment District Alliance partners together in one place where job-seekers could bring resumes and get a free headshot

🧶 Hands-on one-day workshops on pleating, embroidery, weaving, etc. where everyday people and designers can pay to learn

What I learned:

The importance of being flexible and adaptable. In this case, as a consultant, I needed to create buy-in with the business owners through multiple communication tactics and build relationships over time. In the year spent on this project, I created a strong rapport with some, especially by speaking Mandarin Chinese. For some, I needed to call and make an appointment for an in-person chat. For others, I needed to go in person to make an appointment for another time.