Today we’d like to introduce you to Nina Winter.
Hi Nina, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstories.
My passion for Slow Living, specifically the Slow Fashion & Slow Foods Movements, inspired me to create two small businesses in Wichita, KS. A focus on sustainability & the handmade/makers movement lead me to create TISSU Sewing Studio in 2014, an inspiring “sew-space” where students of all ages & walks of life can learn how to mindfully sew, design & upcycle their own garments. Students are encouraged to take a much-needed break at the sewing studio – from their phones, social media, technology, stresses of modern living – in order to reconnect with their imagination, innate creativity & relearn how to make with their minds, hearts & hands.
I graduated with a Master’s of Fine Arts in Fashion Design & Merchandising (2011) from the Academy of Art University (San Francisco). My time studying in San Francisco was a turning point in my career, as the sustainable & eco-conscious city opened my eyes to the industry’s harmful contributions: textile wastes, inhumane working conditions, greed, ego, excess. I love to teach and create; going on my 8th year in business.
In November 2020 (during the pandemic), I started another local business called MOKKO Cuisine, inspired by plant-based, healing ingredients from around the world. As a Plant-based Chef (or Slow Cooker as I like to refer to myself), my goal is to share authentic dishes, the beauty of world cultures & the value diversity can bring to our own corners of the world. Food is the universal language that connects us all. It is medicine for the soul & every culture has its own unique healing ingredients. It is inclusive, affordable & readily available for all of us.
I’m sure you wouldn’t say it’s been obstacle-free, but so far would you say the journey has been a fairly smooth road?
People ask me how I juggle it all. I take it moment by moment, day by day & am grateful for every experience & emotion (knowing our journey here on earth is special & limited). It is all about cultivating an inner awareness daily that unites us all – people, planet, nature, animals. Every day is a “Journey back to the Self,” an opportunity & exploration into our passions, purpose & service. It never feels like work when there is a bigger picture of unconditional, universal love for all.
As a minority woman & Entrepreneur, living in Kansas, it comes with a lot of lessons no one ever prepares you for. You live it, face it head on, learn from it & forgive daily. Be brave, resilient, determined & open-minded. I enjoy taking the road less traveled & not confining myself into a specific role or category. We all have everything to gain & nothing to lose in the end; just have to try, do it, and do it all over again. Never give up, believe in yourself, the process & your unique journey. There’s only one of you in this world & that’s reason enough to celebrate!
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
TISSU Sewing Studio was founded in 2014 as a sewing/slow fashion school teaching all ages how to sew, design, upcycle. What sets TISSU apart from others is that we are such a unique hidden gem in the Midwest & fashion industry, focused on mindful living & sustainability right in the middle of Kansas. TISSU is magical, creative, quirky & most importantly, kind. TISSU offers Private Instruction, Group Classes & Workshops, Private Groups (adult+child, siblings, friends, partners, etc.). I also create handmade fashion sold in small batches. Website: www.
MOKKO Cuisine was founded in 2020 as a plant-based, vegan pop-up cafe inspired by travel, world cultures, slow living & the Slow Foods Movement. Hand-crafted (slowly) with the best local ingredients. Food is healing & there is a direct correlation to the foods we consume affecting climate change, limited resources on earth, animal advocacy. It is a daily choice & we all have the compassion & power to reverse its effects. Website: www.MokkoCuisine.com.
We’d love to hear about any fond memories you have from when you were growing up?
My favorite childhood memory was in nature. Anywhere organic, dirty, messy, unkempt; I have very fond memories of playing in the creeks (grew up with brothers) & climbing trees, picking mulberries & playing “house” near a beautiful stream or lake. I was always the magical fairy, tomboy princess of course.
Contact Info:
- Email: TissuSewingStudio@
gmail.com - Website: www.
TissuSewingStudio.com - Instagram: @TissuSewing
- Facebook: TissuSewingStudio
- Other: www.MokkoCuisine.com
- IG: @MokkoCuisine FB: @MokkoICT
Image Credits
Juan Carlos, Garcia Aaron, Rogers Brittany, and Schaar Kalyn Leininger
