It’s a new month which means another #FirstFriday with Philly PR Girl! Today, we are chatting with Marie Giacobbe who started her business, Caged Butterfly, during her freshman year of college. We are so excited to shine light on this female business owner and her story as a creator.
Turning her dream into a reality, this girl from North New Jersey lets her creativity break free. With a unique fashion sense, her pieces are like no other. Everything is one-of-a-kind and customized to what each customer enjoys. Being diagnosed with Cushing Disease, Marie tackles this challenge as she knew it would only make her stronger in the future. Keep reading to learn about the face behind Caged Butterfly and get inspired by her story!
Philly PR Girl: Hey Marie! I am so happy to feature you in this month’s First Friday Series! You began Caged Butterfly your freshman year of college and continue to grow as a small business owner. What is your story and how did Caged Butterfly come to be?
Marie: Ever since I was young, I was constantly creating and finding new crafts. I also loved selling and meeting people. You could find me at the edge of my driveway selling lemonade and handmade crafts ever since age 6. One day in our freshman year suite at Saint Joseph’s University, my suite mates and I were painting random things we could find. I broke out a pair of my old Birkenstock sandals and painted a flower design onto them. The next day I wore them to my psychology class and a few girls complimented them and asked if I could paint theirs as well. From there, I started shopping for shoes on sale and custom painting them and selling them on my instagram page. After I realized how much I loved it, I began making custom clothes and invested in a machine that could print all of my artwork and designs onto clothing. Before I knew it, I was selling jewelry, clothing, shoes, hats, purses, masks, and much more.
Philly PR Girl: Your constant inspiration throughout your health journey this year didn’t stop you from continuing to do what you love. Being so strong, what is the root of your inspiration that helps you move forward?
Marie: A few days before my senior year of college was supposed to begin, I was diagnosed with Cushings Disease caused by a benign tumor on my brain. I was devastated that my life plan would be torn off of the path I had worked so hard to follow. I made the difficult decision to take the semester off from school in order to have my brain surgery and to physically and emotionally heal. It was the hardest few months of my life, not being able to work or create. But, I was so touched by the amount of support and love I received from family, friends, customers, and even strangers who had heard my story. I wouldn’t have been able to conquer it all without these amazing people in my life. I knew that this challenge would only make me stronger in the future. The ability to create art and share it with others has truly been the sole reason I was able to overcome all of the fear and struggle. I would not be where I am today without being able to live my dream through Caged Butterfly.
Philly PR Girl: Being a young business owner, I’m sure it’s been a constant learning experience throughout the years. If you were to rewind to the start of it all, what would you tell your younger self?
Marie: Sometimes I look back to 3 years ago when I first started my business and wish that I had made certain pieces differently. But, my business would not be where it is today without all of the failures from when I first started it. I had no idea when I first began Caged Butterfly that it would become the most amazing part of my life. I have spent countless hours in frustration when pieces don’t come out exactly how I’d hoped for. There isn’t a day that goes by that I’m not creating, making plans for future projects, thrifting for new pieces to rework, or messaging with customers to customize a special piece for them. There truly are “no days off” as Caged Butterfly. But, I am living my dream and do not even consider it as work. At the end of the day, if you’re doing what you love, it doesn’t even feel like a job.
Philly PR Girl: Your work is amazing! I notice that each piece of custom streetwear and accessory is unique and different from one another. Where does the inspiration for your work come from?
Marie: I have always considered my own fashion sense very unique and have never liked to follow trends or what everyone else is wearing. Every person is so different in their fashion sense so I like to create pieces that are custom to what every customer enjoys. Each clothing item I create is one-of-a-kind in order to break trends of what’s “popular”. I personally think that life is too short to not wear what you enjoy, even if it’s not something others particularly like. I believe that fashion is an extremely beautiful form of artwork that can be enjoyed just by passing someone in the street. You don’t have to go to a museum or gallery to enjoy it. When I see someone wearing one of my creations it immediately makes my day. There is no other feeling than the happiness of seeing my customers enjoying their custom pieces that I poured my love and creativity into.
Philly PR Girl: Are there any upcoming pop-ups we should keep an eye out for?
Marie: I have been selling at the Lunar Faire festivals in New Jersey and also have been hosting Pop Up shops at my house in North New Jersey. Since I haven’t been at school this semester due to my brain surgery, I have unfortunately not been able to host Pop Up’s at Saint Joe’s. But, I am planning on having a special Pop-Up shop before Winter break so that all of my followers can shop for holiday gifts! I am so excited to be back selling on campus because I have truly missed seeing the amazing people that make it all worth it.
What an amazing #FirstFriday interview! Follow Caged Butterfly on Instagram and be up to date on any Pop-Up dates and new inventory! Caged Butterfly is the perfect holiday gift that is unlike any other. I know where I’ll be doing some holiday shopping!
For more interviews like this, head over to our blog!
Happy December, Philly!
