Hello there!
I’m Kellie, the owner.maker.mastermind behind Dapper Geek! I do everything you see fabric finding, cutting, sewing, selling and managing my DG’s social media presence. I love being able to do this full time. It’s a real passion of mine--my calling even--and although it hasn't been an easy path (what is?), I’m grateful for the opportunity to be pursuing my dream. The website bio will be going through an update since the original was a slightly vanilla version of how DG was started. I decided to put the real story here for you to read, and here it is:
I went to college for Music Business in Tennessee, and wound up being a lighting designer for about seven years. I decided I needed a change and became a bar manager and really enjoyed that...until one night. It was St. Patrick's day 2013, and we were terribly understaffed for such a rambunctious holiday. I was violently assaulted by a customer that night. As he bashed me into a brick wall by my throat, he broke my collarbone, bruised my throat, tore muscles in my neck, and badly messed up my shoulder, which I later needed surgery for. I think it’s obvious to say that, after that night, I couldn't be in that field of work anymore.
A few weeks after the attack I was invited to a party and wanted to wear a tie. I couldn't find one I liked so I decided to make my own and everyone loved it! That night I crudely drew up a logo and came up with the name. My buddy an amazing designer fine tuned the logo for me and Dapper Geek was born!
I decided that instead of letting what happened beat me--the restless sleep syndrome, physical pain and PTSD--I would make the most of the situation. I found something I loved and threw my entire being into my new passion. This is the first public telling of my story. I thank you for taking the time to read it, and I hope what I’ve been through--both the trauma, the aftermath and the recovery--demonstrate the common knowledge that everyone struggles in life, but that with passion, patience and perseverance, you can achieve your goals and dreams. Some days are still hard, but knowing I've created a business that I love and am proud of really gives me the boost to dig deep and keep at it.
Again, thank you so much for reading this. The appreciation I have for my fans, followers and clients is unmatched. Without every single one of you this would never work. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
--Kellie