Courtney Trop on CBD & Why Fashion Isn’t All About Money
“I’ve been in the industry for 16 years and I still take jobs out of passion.”
Courtney Trop is a blogger and the founder of Hi Stevie.
What was the Lightbulb Moment that inspired you to fully dive into what you do?
I started my blog in 2013 alongside my full time job of being an assistant buyer for an off price e-com website that was a startup. My blog took off and the start up failed in it’s first year, so that definitely pushed me to blog full time! When the universe presents you with something, I always believe in following the signs.
What’s the most unexpected thing you’ve learned in your current career?
I learned that I can work my ass off. Before this year, I was on a plane every other week, not just domestic flights, but mainly international travel. I have the ability to run on no sleep with little food, and think quick on my feet during a moment of crisis in the middle of another country when I’m traveling alone. I never traveled much and barely left the country before 27 years old, so the past 7.5 years have been very transformative for my mind, body and soul and I have proven to myself that I can work in extreme conditions with no sleep, etc… I’m scared after this year of being stagnant in one place, my body will have forgotten how to function on no sleep and constantly moving, but we shall see!
Now you've launched Hi Stevie. How long has that been in the making? What do your days look like now that you create content but also run a product-based business?
Hi Stevie is something I’ve been working on, on the side for almost two. years now. With cannabis licensing being so difficult, and merchant accounts and also trying product out and making sure everything is perfect, it's been a long process. I am thankful this year has given me the gift of more time in one place to actually put more energy into the brand, but on the flip side I am definitely more creative when I’m on the go, moving fast and constantly around things that inspire me. I guess there’s positives and negatives of this past year when it comes to my business with Hi Stevie. Most of my days this year have been me brainstorming where I want the brand to go, and sitting with the first product which is a tincture taken orally, and decide what’s next.
What was the very first thing you did when you thought of Hi Stevie?
Bought the website! Also- hired someone to design packaging.
What often sparks your creativity or gets you into the creative zone?
Traveling, and being around people who inspire me! That’s why this year has been very difficult, I find it hard to be inspired in LA.
What are your big dreams for Hi Stevie?
Eventually I want to have my own farm, and dispensaries all over the country with THC + CBD line of products that are only Hi Stevie, following out DTC business plan. I definitely want to collaborate with creatives and brands that align with my fashion career! Although some cannabis brands are getting creative, and we’re seeing more clean cut packaging and higher quality products, I still feel there is a major gap between cannabis and fashion and I’m trying to simply fill the gap and give my peers something they want to be a part of, a cannabis brand with a cult following.
The fashion industry has been turned upside during this pandemic — for better or for worse. What are your thoughts on the next phase of fashion and content creation?
I literally have no idea, but I do think we were moving so fast no one had time to digest anything, after this COVID experience people will hopefully be more mindful and connected to the work they do and not take anything for granted.
What is your unfiltered advice for anyone looking to break into your industry?
Always my top three answers: DO IT FOR THE RIGHT REASONS, give people something unique that feels authentic to you, have thick skin.
Something to also think about, fashion doesn’t pay well until you’re in a senior position or unless you own your own company. Don’t get involved in fashion for the money, or you’ll hate your life! I’ve been doing this for 9 years full-time, and I’ve been in the industry for 16 years and I still take jobs out of passion sometimes and work just simply to be involved in a project that makes me excited. Of course it’s important to be paid for your work and time and creativity, but here and there it’s healthy to remember you should genuinely love what you do and it shouldn’t always be about money. If you have this attitude you’ll go far.
Nov 10, 2020
By Natalie Alcala