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Courtesy of Stacie Kane
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Courtesy of Stacie Kane
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Courtesy of Stacie Kane
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Courtesy of Stacie Kane
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Courtesy of Stacie Kane
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Courtesy of Stacie Kane
The idea for i.e., a collection of handmade washable textile bags, can be traced back to founder Stacie Kane's childhood Christmas traditions. Tired of exchanging impersonal gift cards and money during the holidays, Kane’s parents and two sisters vowed to give one another handmade items only, stoking their creative and competitive spirits.
Years later, as Kane and her sisters grew up and started their own families, the tradition continued to be an important part of their annual celebrations. "You start stressing out about it a little bit because you're all trying to outdo each other," says Kane.
Two years ago, as Kane brainstormed gift ideas, she decided to focus on a sewing project inspired by a washable paper textile that she sourced online and that had piqued her curiosity. "I stumbled across the washable textile," she says, "and I ordered a couple of yards just to check it out. I absolutely fell in love with it." That year, she impressed her parents and siblings with handmade tote bags and travel kits. But before the exchange even happened, Kane knew that she had the kernel of a new business venture. "I had already said [to myself]: This is it. I'm starting a business.
Recently, we talked to Kane about being creative, the challenges of launching a business, and how a background in communications equipped her with the skills to run a business.
How has your background informed your business? Outside of my small business, I’m happily married and have two incredible kids. I'm also an adjunct instructor at St. Louis Community College. I’ve been teaching communications at the college level for 14 years. I'm confident that any business owner would tell you that strong communication skills are an essential part of a company’s success.
How did you come up with the name of your business? I spell my name Stacie with ie. Whenever I say my name, I always get Oh, Stacy with a y or ey? When I was naming my company, I thought, i.e. is the abbreviation for “id est,” which is a Latin word that means to provide clarification. In essence, it means “that is.” I thought that was really cool because I can say That is my company. That is my bag. It’s officially derived from my name, but then I love the fact that its meaning is two-fold.
Who creates and designs your products? It is a labor of love. At this point, I do everything. And when I say everything, I mean everything. I order the materials. I cut all my own fabric. I design the products. I did my website, with a little bit of help from a friend. But basically I maintain it all. I've taken every picture on my Instagram. It's a little bit overwhelming.
What is unique about the textile? It’s like paper, but you can sew on it, and it’s eco-friendly. It’s washable and biodegradable.
Why do you love the sustainability aspect of your business? My products meet the practical needs of my clients without compromising the environment. Not only do I make all of my products out of an eco-friendly textile, but I also design my patterns to ensure I have zero waste in the production process. Sustainable, fashionable, and affordable are three important aspects my business is noted for.
Where do you source the washable paper? I source the washable paper fabric from a company out of Pittsburgh. It's sourced from a natural wood pulp cellulose fiber certified by the Forestry Stewardship Council (FSC) and OEKO-TEX (STANDARD 100). This material has been around a really really long time. It's just now getting into the fashion industry.
Where do you sell your products? I only sell via my website right now.
Where do you get your inspiration and ideas for new products? I follow many fashion and home decor accounts on social media, which keep me aware of what's trending. I love the outdoors, which inspires my earthy color scheme. I love to travel, which inspires the functional aspect of my products. I also have two sisters, a mom, and lots of friends with amazing taste that I continually brainstorm with. I have an artistic eye and a creative mind. When I see something that inspires me, my mind immediately starts creating an i.e. product.
How do you think your business stands out from others? There are other companies that are using washable paper but what I’ve noticed is that the majority of the people using it are outside of the United States. There are a few small businesses that I’ve seen here and there [that use washable paper fabric], but it’s not really that popular in the States. The novelty is what makes it unique.
How has the COVID-19 pandemic affected your business? My small business was greatly impacted by COVID-19 primarily during March and April. However, I sewed and donated roughly 400 face masks during that time. At that time, hospitals were accepting homemade masks. A friend, who is a nurse, personally handed out the masks I made to her co-workers at Barnes-Jewish Hospital and the Children's Specialty Care Center. I used washable paper fabric to form a side-channel on the mask, which allowed the elastic to easily slide through and adjust for a comfortable fit.
What are your plans for the business? My goal is to work with Collective Thread and outsource some of the sewing to them. I’d like to outsource the handles or the trim and I would finish it.
How do you stay busy? Anyone who knows me knows that I'm never bored and very much a worker bee. When I’m caught up on orders for i.e., there is still plenty of work to do, such as updating my website, posting to social media, invoicing, accounting, photoshoots, and designing new products. When I’m challenged to be creative, like for our Christmas gifts, I thrive. Give me something to challenge my mind, and I’m going to knock people’s socks off.
