Rayana White of WithTheRain
Owner and crafter Rayana White utilizes upcycled materials on the products she sells at WithTheRain at Pike Place Market. For instance, the tops of her SLUGS fleece rain boot liners are made out of upcycled sweaters and her toddler dresses are crafted from two upcycled adult T-shirts. White also supports Goodwill and a thrift store where proceeds go to local Humane Society locations.
In what ways is your business considered eco-friendly? My business takes something old and turns it into something new. I love upcycling clothing into new things. I make two main products: SLUGS Fleece Rain Boot Liners and Two Summer Tunics. My liners use recycled sweaters for the cuffs, using every part of the sweater. I can make two to three pairs of liners out of one sweater. My Two Summer Tunics are one-of-a-kind toddler dresses made out of two or more recycled adult-size T-shirts. I also design them to be worn for Two Summers; a dress one summer and a tunic top the next. Getting more then one season out of a kids clothing item can be hard–they grow so fast–but my Two Summer Tunic is designed to get a lot of wear. My 7-year-old daughter can still wear the largest dress I make.
What inspired you to become an eco-minded entrepreneur? I actually didn’t start my business thinking I was going to be an eco-minded entrepreneur; it slowly become that. I didn’t add upcycled sweaters to the tops of my liners until a few years after I started making my SLUGS. I have always enjoyed thrifting, going to garage sales and antiquing. One day, I saw a fun, patterned 80’s sweater and thought it would look great on top of my liners. I tried it and loved the look. I became a craft person permit-holder at Pike Place Market and wanted to add a summer product, that is when I started making my toddler dresses. Now over half of my products are made out of recycled materials.
For readers who want to be more eco-conscious in their everyday lives, what do you recommend? How about for those looking to launch a green business? I’m a big fan of shopping small, handmade or local when I can. I try to avoid fast fashion and opt for second-hand items. It’s amazing what you can find at the thrift store. Don’t forget to grab your reusable tote.
As for business, I would start small and make small changes with your packaging. Your business doesn’t have to be 100 percent eco-friendly. That’s hard to do, but little changes help.
What are your long-term goals for WithTheRain and its impact? To be honest, I’m a one-woman show. I source my materials, make everything myself and sell at Pike Place Market three days a week, all while being a mom. I live day to day and planning a month ahead is a lot for me. I’m living my long-term goal. I love being a part of the Pike Place Market community and love how my business has evolved. I would like to add a new product to use up more of my scrap materials, maybe matching headbands to go with my Two Summer Tunics or hand warmers out of leftover sweater scraps.