This story is part of a series spotlighting the contributions of Black Portlanders to the regional economy. The Business Journal is profiling one Black-owned business a day through February. You can read the coverage here.
Closer Look
Company Name: Faas Design Collab (functional apparel and accessories studio); House Dogge
Founded: 2017
What they do: Faas provides professional development and mentorship to people interested in working in footwear and apparel and partners with global brands on workforce development; House Dogge is a sustainable lifestyle brand for dogs and their people
Website: www.AngelaMedlin.com
How would you describe Portland's footwear and apparel industry? There's a lot of opportunity here in Portland, specifically for athletic and outdoor. This is the mecca for apparel and footwear, in that respect. There's also opportunity for more diversity in the industry. That was one of the reasons why I started Faas. It was really important for me because of my own experience in the industry. I would love to be a part of the next generation of diverse innovators getting in and having a clear understanding of what the expectations are and how the industry can be evolved in a different and more inclusive way.
Can you offer an example of bridging that gap? I collaborated with REI for six months in 2022 to create something really amazing. The goal was to create a program and hire two apprentices to work with them for six months. That turned out so well that they ended up having three paid apprentices for a whole year.
What are some of the barriers in the way to that happening? A lot of that has to do with equity, and it started farther back that people really think about. If you don't have the opportunity because of income, you're not thinking that design could be an opportunity because you're just trying to make ends meet. And then companies looking for talent are looking for people with degrees. It's also about introducing opportunity to both the creative as well as the brands that need them.
And I guess, too, if you don't see people who look like you in those jobs, it might be harder to envision yourself in that role? It's true. And so I'm not only supporting creatives going forward, I'm actually an example of what it could be like to be in the industry. I have 25+ years working for global brands, and so I like sharing those stories. I love mentoring.
What's are your priorities in 2023? For House Dogge, I'm being realistic. I can't create a ton of product this year because of the economy. So I'm being smart about marketing and keeping things narrow. For Faas, I have created an extension called Small Bizzo that I feel could benefit small or minority-owned businesses with the creative side of getting started. Things like pitching to investors, creating the founder brand, consumer and product profiles and stories, the website. These are things that some creatives really struggle with. I'm just starting to work through what those programs can look like.
Any advice for other founders? Look for mentors who can connect with you on a personal level, they're asking questions so that you can come up with answers yourself and not just telling you what the do.
