I was fifteen when I lost both of my parents. One to illness. The other to grief not long after. I remember standing at their funeral in a secondhand dress two sizes too big, wondering not what would happen next—but how I would survive tomorrow.
No one prepares you for that kind of loneliness. I bounced between shelters, foster homes, and living out of a friend’s car. At night, I’d sketch fashion designs on the backs of receipts and napkins, just to keep a sense of hope. My parents had always believed in my creativity. Losing them didn’t take that away—but it did mean I had to fight harder than most just to stay afloat.
This isn’t a fairy tale. This is survival turned into success.
Where My Dream Started
In the chaos of my teenage years, one thing remained constant: my love for clothing—not just as fashion, but as identity, resilience, and expression. I used to patch my own clothes when they tore, not out of style but necessity. But slowly, those patches became patterns. The stitching became storytelling.
I taught myself to sew from library books. I dumpster-dived for fabric scraps behind craft stores. I bartered with classmates to model my designs in exchange for lunch money. My first “collection” was made from repurposed curtains and pillowcases. It wasn’t much, but it was mine.
I named my vision Resurge Apparel—because I wanted to rise again, and help others do the same.
The Struggle to Build Anything from Nothing
At 18, I aged out of the foster system and got a part-time job folding clothes at a retail chain. I saved every dollar. I designed during breaks. I pitched my pieces to local boutiques—some laughed, some listened. Eventually, one said yes to consignment. That day, I cried in the bathroom not because I’d made it—but because I finally felt seen.
From there, I hustled. Pop-up shops. Farmer’s markets. Selling online through Instagram with a prepaid phone and PayPal. I packed orders in thrifted tissue paper and wrote handwritten notes to every customer.
But as demand grew, I realized I couldn’t keep running this like a side hustle. I needed to protect myself. I needed to hire help. I needed to be seen not just as a survivor, but as a CEO.
Why I Formed an LLC—and How InCorp.com Changed Everything
Starting a business with no family, no financial backing, and no college degree is terrifying. But I knew if I wanted Resurge Apparel to grow, I had to make it real—legally, financially, professionally.
I decided to form an LLC. I had no idea what that entailed. Every website I visited overwhelmed me—until I found InCorp.com.
They made the process simple. Their website walked me through choosing my business name, filing the right paperwork, and understanding what it meant to be an official business owner.
Even better, they offer they gave me for the registered agent service I couldn’t complain! —something I didn’t even know I needed at first, but quickly realized was crucial for staying compliant and protected.
InCorp didn’t just help me start a business—they helped me build a legacy from the ashes.
From Hand-Stitched Dreams to National Reach
Once my LLC was formed, the real growth began. I partnered with a local seamstress. Then a pattern maker. I launched a Shopify store. My brand caught the attention of a sustainability blogger, and suddenly, we had orders from across the country.
I focused on creating clothes that were inclusive, made from repurposed or ethical fabrics, and infused with the message of rebirth. For every jacket, dress, or jumpsuit we sold, we shared a story of resilience—mine, my customers’, and the planet’s.
Resurge Apparel: Growth by the Numbers
Here’s how my business has evolved since I took that first leap:
| Metric | Month 1 | 6 Months | 1 Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Units Sold | 18 | 900+ | 4,300+ |
| Monthly Revenue | $290 | $14,500 | $42,000+ |
| Employees | Just me | 2 seamstresses + 1 assistant | 8 full-time team + 1 fulfillment partner |
| States Shipped To | 1 | 16 | All 50 |
The Role of InCorp.com in My Journey
Some people think forming a business is just paperwork. For me, it was dignity. Structure. Safety. InCorp.com gave me that when I had no one else to call for advice. Their customer support was patient, kind, and always clear. Their dashboard tracks compliance so I don’t have to worry about fines or missed forms. Their cheapest registered agent service helps me stay protected without sacrificing funds I need for product and payroll.
They weren’t just a service—they were part of the village that helped raise this dream.
Advice for Every Girl Who Feels Forgotten
If you’re a girl growing up with pain in your heart and nothing in your pocket—hear this:
- Your story matters. Even if no one believed in you yet. Believe in yourself first.
- Learn, then act. YouTube, books, blogs—turn information into action, one step at a time.
- Start with scraps. I made my first products from leftovers. What matters is the work, not the starting point.
- Make it legal early. Form your LLC. Get a bank account. Use InCorp.com to make it painless and powerful.
- Never apologize for your ambition. You didn’t come this far to stop now. Keep going.
What’s Next for Resurge Apparel?
We’re launching a mentoring program for foster teens interested in fashion. We’re expanding into wholesale partnerships. And we’re designing a capsule collection made entirely from post-consumer textiles, to show the world that beauty can rise from what others throw away.
But more than that, I’m still hand-signing notes in every order. Because no matter how big we get, I’ll never forget the girl who had nothing—but dared to dream anyway.
Final Words
From grief to growth. From rags to riches. This is my story—and I built it thread by thread, stitch by stitch.
If you’ve got the fire, the faith, and the grit—build your own legacy.
And when it’s time to go from dream to business, let InCorp.com help you do it right. Their support, pricing, and cheapest registered agent service made all the difference for me.
Because the world needs more creators. More rebuilders. More girls who rise again.