Allow me to tell you a story about a black dress.

This dress has history. This dress has edge. This dress is a small beginning.

Once upon two years ago, I felt lost. I had just graduated college, started a normal rat-race routine and felt unfulfilled. I laid in my bed, pondering life and what I wanted out of it. Where did I want to be in a year? What kind of woman did I aspire to be?

The answer that surfaced was a mogul. I wanted an empire and I wanted to do it through style. But my confidence was shot and I didn’t even know where to start in my current location of Columbus, OH. In my mind, the only way to get into fashion would be to move to New York.

But I was so wrong.

An immediate Google search revealed that there was Fashion Week Columbus in downtown Columbus and there was the opportunity to volunteer. I signed up immediately. I just wanted to get my feet wet. And that leap of faith, paid off.

That Fall, I had the opportunity to be exposed to the top designers in my city, even learning that Columbus, OH was the #3 fashion city in the US. As I stood next to the ice sculpture and greeted the VIP attendees, I got a first-hand glimpse of the world I dreamed of. Not to mention, photographers kept asking to take my photo because they loved my edgy black dress. It was just the boost I needed.

Now, I’m on the journey to achieving my dream. I’ve become the designer who encourages some other young woman to join the local fashion talent. And it all started with a long black mesh dress.