"Conventional wisdom, for anyone starting a new business, is weighing the risks. Yes, you need to do that, but if you think about it too much it can become overwhelming and paralyzing. My advice? Don't overthink it or question how you're going to do it. You'll find a way. Follow your instincts--you won't know unless you try. Put one foot in front of the other and go for it. No one is going to do it for you. Whether it is doing the hard work or finding motivation, you need to believe in yourself. At the end of the day, it's all you. Start; just do it." -- Amy Matto
when should you start a business?
Born and raised in Wisconsin, Amy Matto grew up in an all-American household. As a child, she was told to drink her milk “to support the farmers,” because it was the “right thing to do.”
As a young professional in New York, she always loved designer clothing, but was disenchanted upon learning that her favorite designers, who embody the American lifestyle, were not actually
manufactured in the United States, but overseas in China.
Matto launched her own contemporary women’s dress collection in the fall of 2009 from the living room of her New York City apartment. Without formal fashion training, Matto taught herself everything about the business by exploring the Garment District, following deliverymen and talking to anyone who would stop. She also found the best collaborators in the business, including a talented pattern maker and a factory with exceptional craftsmanship.
Matto’s idea for the brand grew out of a reaction to the often flashy, over-styled designs she saw in stores as well as the industry trend of outsourcing to China. She aimed to make her dresses sensual yet classic and appropriate, with understated elegance and timeless silhouettes. She is proud that her brand supports the local garment industry, a vibrant part of New York City’s historical landscape.
Today, Matto commutes to the Garment District from Greenwich, Connecticut, where she lives
with her husband and golden retriever, Harley.
