Isn’t it magical when your interests and hobbies lead to a career that doesn’t feel like work?
Cortnie Hutchison, the creative designer behind Love, Cortnie, a handmade handbag line, had no clue that the skills she picked up 
from her grandmother would eventually lead to her future as a full-time business owner.“My grandmother was super handy so I always wanted to learn how to sew, but never found the time,” Hutchinson told Black Enterprise. “During the summer of 2011, I was between jobs, so I asked my grandmother to teach me how to sew. While sitting in her kitchen playing around with scrap fabric on her machine, which she later gave to me and I still sew on today, I came up with the idea of making a clutch.”
Hutchison is no longer clocking in as someone else’s employee or chained to a desk all day — she’s setting her own hours as an entrepreneur through her Miami-
based handbag company. One of the biggest lessons she’s learned by being her own boss though is that time management is extremely important when it comes to being successful in business.
“I learned that not everything you do is for everyone. I remember making a bag that I happened to love, but it didn’t get the response that I had hoped for,” Hutchinson said. “You have to move on. Don’t waste time or money if something doesn’t perform well. Figure out how to make it better or move on.”
With more than 21,000 followers on Instagram, Cortnie is working hard to build her style brand on the inter webs. Get the full scoop on how Cortnie went from studying science to launching her fashion brand in her full interview. You can also connect with her on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
photo credit: Style Lust Pages; Love, Cortnie
