“You’ve got to be fucking kidding me. Am I really doing this?”
That was literally my first thought as I stood behind a booth at the American Dream Mall for Deafopia. Me. Behind a booth. Selling. If you’d told me a few years ago this would happen, I would’ve laughed, gagged, and said hell no.
Sure, I had a warm-up back in June at a Deaf Expo hosted at a school, but that was small and easy. Training wheels. Deafopia was a whole different story. Nearly 4,000 people showed up, and it felt more like the Olympics.
I’ve been to Deafopia plenty of times, always as the person walking past the tables, not the one stuck behind them. I swore I’d never do it. Why? Because in my head, people only come to “look-look” and not buy. And yeah, people can be cheap. I can be cheap too. So why bother? Why set myself up for disappointment? I told myself I wasn’t here for pipe dreams. I know what I want Lovecore Apparel to be, and standing behind a booth wasn’t part of that picture.
And yet, there I was.
It felt like the universe was laughing when my friend talked me into it. She reminded me it’s not just about selling, it’s about showing up. Networking. Getting people to actually see the brand while I’m still the new kid on the block. And somehow, she convinced me. Which is not easy, by the way. But she was right. (Don’t tell her I said that.)
So I did it. And guess what? It was worth it. Standing there felt awkward at first, but then it clicked. I got to share the story, explain what Lovecore is about, and watch people’s faces light up. They weren’t just “look-looking.” They listened, they asked questions, and they actually bought things. By the end of the day, I’d made enough to fund the next drop: Love’s Gone Bananas Boxers. (So pumped for this one!)
I was even disappointed that I had to duck out of Deafopia early to make it to another event the same day. Which made me wonder: was the universe messing with me, or putting exactly what I needed right in front of me?
The next stop was Deaf West Theatre’s Brighter Together fundraiser.
I showed up, still buzzing from Deafopia, and the night just kept getting better. Old friends, new faces, delicious food, live performances, and a silent auction. It was the kind of event where you don’t want to blink because you might miss something.
And then there’s Deaf Standard Time (DST). If you know, you know. Nobody left when they were supposed to. We ended up lingering, joking around, and finally snapping a big group photo of whoever was still hanging around.
I left that night still amped and still smiling, figuring the universe must have a sense of humor and maybe I’m finally in on the joke.
Takeaway:
Sometimes the thing you swear you’ll “never” do ends up being exactly the thing you needed. So never say never. And yes, I’m eating my words.
Lovecore HQ: What’s Been Happening?
Remember last month when my cut-and-sew vendor told me he was tied up for the rest of the year and I had to go find a new one? Good news, I found one. I’m now working with a new vendor and going through the fun but slightly stressful process of picking fabric, color, and style for the upcoming boxers. I’ll admit, I’m a little nervous since it’s our first time working together and I don’t know yet how the final product will look. But I’m excited to see how it turns out… please let it be good.
What I’m Loving Right Now (Because Sharing Is Caring):
📺 TV Series: Black Rabbit (Netflix limited series). Edge-of-my-seat stuff. Jason Bateman nails the lovable screw-up, Jude Law plays the overachieving brother constantly pulling him out of the fire, and Troy Kotsur, a Deaf actor, absolutely steals the show as the kingpin bad guy. So good to see more Deaf actors taking roles like this on TV. We need more of that. A little overcooked at times, with Ozark vibes and a touch of The Bear, but overall it hits.
📚 Book: Articulate: A Deaf Memoir of Voice by Rachel Kolb. I haven’t read this one yet, but it’s next on my list. It’s already the talk of the town in the Deaf community. Kolb digs into deafness, language, and voice, showing that being “articulate” isn’t about hitting some perfect standard. It’s a living process that comes alive in real connection between people. Can’t wait to read it and see how much I resonate.
🧴 Skincare: OS-01 OneSkin Topical Supplement. This cream hydrates, firms, and makes your face look a whole lot less tired. It’s safe for sensitive skin, fragrance-free, and the auto-subscription means your routine basically runs itself.
👗 Outfit: Gap Denim Seamed Button-Front Maxi Dress. I wore this dress almost every weekend last month. It’s classic, true to size, and ridiculously easy to throw on. No stressing about tops and bottoms. Just button it up and go. Dress it up or keep it casual. Either way, it’s an instant win.
🥣 Snack: Happiness is… Granola. A woman-owned, small-batch granola brand started by Greta Fairbanks (a freelance ASL interpreter) and Angel Gray. They’re certified gluten-free and organic/non-GMO, which makes my heart happy. I scored a bag of their Chocolate Covered Espresso Bean granola at the ASL Apple Festival in Staten Island last week… and now I’m hooked. Nothing better than snacking while supporting small businesses that show up for our Deaf community.
What’s Next?
On the 24th, I’ll be part of a fashion show featuring local designers and boutiques. The event is a fundraiser for Raise the Volume, an organization whose mission is to inspire, encourage, and support Deaf students through mentoring, resources, and tuition assistance for secondary education. I can’t wait to be part of it and see how the event unfolds. Who knows, maybe Lovecore will steal the show. And if not, I’ll clap the loudest for myself.
XO,
Nickie
P.S. Big thanks to everyone who came out to Deafopia and supported my small business. Meeting you all was the highlight, and let’s be real… I wouldn’t be this far without you. 🫶🏼