Stitching Success: How This Entrepreneur Turned Passion into Profit
By Alex Berardi-Hawley, Founder of Cozykins Plushies
When you think of a successful entrepreneur, you might envision someone in a sleek suit, strategizing in a high-rise office. Rarely do people imagine someone who started their career in the bright lights of the talent world, transitioning into the cozy, comforting realm of plushie-making. But that’s precisely my story, and it’s one I’m thrilled to share; may it inspire, and may you glean something incredibly useful for your own journey!
From Runway to Creative Runway
My journey began with modeling and talent work—a world of pain, fashion, highlights, and fierce competition. While it may seem worlds apart from the business of creating plush toys and helpful books, the lessons I learned on the runway were invaluable and indeed more connected. Modeling taught me resilience, the importance of personal branding, asserting oneself, and how to stand out in a crowded market. These skills seamlessly transferred to my entrepreneurial ventures, proving that every experience holds value!
Coming from a smaller area where blue-collar work holds supreme, it was extra-challenging to both deal with family pressures to find a “normal job”, and to actually find quality work I wouldn’t regret or be entirely exploited in. I became a mother early in my adult life, and there was the experience that everyone was really measuring me up against what they felt a mother needed to look like or be occupied with. I did not have enthusiastic support when I started working on set, but I was deeply determined to find my own footing– less than two years later, I did! Wow, did I feel free when I looked at my calendar, and saw that my month was comfortably booked with gigs, and I’d have enough cash to eat out somewhere nice a couple times for meetings. My life lined up at food pantries as a single mother was over, and I had *too many* ideas to hop on and start trying out.
The Birth of CozyKinz Plushies
The idea for Cozykins Plushies wasn’t born in a boardroom, but in moments of introspection and a desire to make a tangible difference. After facing a mountain of personal challenges and seeing the impact of mental wellness initiatives over some years, I realized the profound comfort we need constantly- of which a sweet plush toy could provide. I had been testing business models and concepts on the side for a decade, and felt ready to scale up to a much larger challenge!
Originally, I had incorporated sensory-plushies into a gaming wellness-lounge concept, but with a massive overhead for the hardware alone, topped with a recent loss of a sibling to suicide, I pivoted. This revelation led to the creation of Cozykins Plushies—a brand dedicated to promoting mental wellness through sensory-friendly toys and engaging stories of inspiring characters.
I was able to use the skills I had gained in marketing and building myself up, over the years; everything that exists for Cozykins as it stands today has been forged with love and care by my own hands. Graphic and web design, digital and grassroots-type marketing campaigns, networking, color psychology, everything carried right over and served me well. These all came from casual absorption– every webinar, event, engagement, I asked every question, accepted every resource. I would find folks who were better than me, but not apex, to skip years of trial and error for myself. Someone too much more experienced than you will charge you to speak to them; look just a bit behind them for your hills of gold.
You know, I learned a lot!
Lessons of a Talent Applied to Business
Personal Branding is Key
Just as a talent must cultivate a unique image, a startup must establish a strong brand identity. Cozykins Plushies is more than a product; it’s a mission to spread comfort and care.
Resilience and Adaptability
The fashion industry is ever-changing, much like the startup ecosystem. Learning to pivot and adapt quickly has been crucial in navigating the challenges of entrepreneurship.
Networking and Relationships
Success in both fields relies heavily on building genuine connections. The support I’ve received from mentors, fellow entrepreneurs, and mental health organizations has been instrumental in our growth. Folks LOVE spotting us out in our community!
Creativity and Innovation
Modeling and acting is an art, and so is creating products that resonate with people and serve them in some way. Embracing creative thinking and solutions has allowed me to design unique plushies that stand out and serve a higher purpose.
Balancing Art & Business
Transitioning from modeling, acting, and photography to running a business required balancing creativity with strategic thinking. In modeling, your body is the canvas; in business, your ideas are. Both require a vision and the courage to bring that vision to life. Cozykins Plushies embodies this balance by merging artistic design with therapeutic benefits, making our products both beautiful and meaningful; what is your balance?
A Calling
My unconventional path from modeling, acting, and photography to plushie-making highlights an essential truth: entrepreneurship is not a one-size-fits-all journey! Your unique experiences and passions are your greatest assets. Embrace them, learn from them, and let them guide your entrepreneurial endeavors. You don’t choose your vibe, but you can leverage the one you do have to attract your mission and your tribe!
If you’re an aspiring entrepreneur, especially those with a background in the arts or other seemingly unrelated fields, remember that every skill and experience can contribute to your success. Don’t be afraid to take the unconventional route—it might just lead you to your most significant achievements.
Attend that fun webinar you felt you couldn’t justify! Get a ticket to a few networking events, and ask questions. Listen, listen, listen, absorb every word, take notes. You really can do this, you simply have to keep doing it even when you can’t. Make a way, forward even if it’s smaller, slower, simpler.
What I’ve built on my life path is not just a business; it’s a testament to the power of following your passions, learning from diverse experiences, and committing to making a difference.
What are YOU building?
About The Author
Alex Berardi-Hawley | Cozykins Plushies
Alex Berardi-Hawley is the innovative founder and visionary behind Cozykins Plushies, a pioneering brand dedicated to promoting mental wellness through sensory-friendly plush toys and engaging storytelling! With a rich background in entrepreneurship and mental health advocacy, Alex has built Cozykins Plushies into a unique venture that combines therapeutic benefits with the comfort of cuddly companions.
Cozykins Plushies- Alex’s most ambitious project to date- integrates their deep commitment to mental wellness with their entrepreneurial spirit. Under Alex’s leadership, Cozykins Plushies has established strategic partnerships with mental health organizations like NAMI and the Safe Space Alliance, reinforcing their commitment to fostering mental wellness and community support.
