Meet Sydney Renwrick: Assistant Buyer & Entrepreneur

We had the good fortune of connecting with Sydney Renwrick and we’ve shared our conversation below.

Hi Sydney, what role has risk played in your life or career?
I believe risk and chances go hand and hand. To take a risk, you’re giving yourself a chance to achieve or to learn or both. You have to walk by faith and not by sight. When I think of risk, I think of the positive possibilities that can come from it. If I don’t take a risk or walk by faith then I know how my life will be – the same way it is right now. But if I take a risk, I know a change or a positive possible could happen.

Taking risks have played a role in my life/career because I’ve gone for things that people said most likely wouldn’t happen for me. By day I’m an Assistant Buyer, a position that my fashion college told me it would be damn near impossible for me to get. It’s not really a risk when you believe in yourself because you know you’ll come out on top.

Can you open up a bit about your work and career? We’re big fans and we’d love for our community to learn more about your work.
My whole entire life I wanted to be a Fashion Designer. my mom put me in sewing classes. I went to college for fashion design, but while I was in college my professors told me that I didn’t need a degree to be a designer so I thought why am I here? I transferred schools and ended up going to LIM college in New York City for fashion merchandising and international marketing. I always knew from a young age that I wanted to work for myself I just never knew in what capacity. I had professors that told me they knew I would run my own business one day but I would need the apprenticeship experience before hand. So I thought working at reputable fashion companies what help me gain the experience, but it was hard finding the job that I really felt like I could benefit from. I always felt like if the opportunity isn’t there then I’ll create the opportunity for myself. No one wants to open the door for me? I’ll open it for myself. So I did. I’m currently an Assistant Buyer for an off price retailer, but I also have my own business – Ask Syd. Ask Syd is a consulting and creative services business. I specialize in fashion related needs such as tech packs and designers but I offer so much more. I offer social media management/marketing, LLC & EIN registration, notary services, styling, creative direction, etc. So many people who ask for my opinion or my help so I created a business out of it. I think because we’re in the age of social media there’s way more challenges to overcome. Young people feel like we should be way further in life when in reality we’re exactly where we’re supposed to be. My biggest challenge was getting into my own way because I’m shy. I had to realize I deserve a chance because I know I can bring some things to the table including the table, the chairs, and the dinner set. You really have to believe in yourself and be your biggest fan.

Any places to eat or things to do that you can share with our readers? If they have a friend visiting town, what are some spots they could take them to?
Wow this is the hardest question. Well first I’m really big on black owned businesses and I love going out to eat. For brunch I would go to Warm Daddy’s or Relish. For drinks I would go anywhere on South St or in Manayunk. I personally love the spots in the hood like Spiked Sports Lounge, they have great food, drinks, and Hookah. Other good black owned food places are Pretzel Workz, Jordan Johnson’s, I Got The Juice, and Soulfed.I would suggest going to Penn’s Landing. They have a roller rink in the summer (ice skating rink in the winter), a ferris wheel, arcade, etc. Spruce Street Harbor Park has food trucks and hammocks and it’s right off of the water.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
I would love to dedicate my shout out to Sherri Hall. Miss Sherri has been a mentor to me since 2018. I used to intern for her at her boutique, Blacqskirt, in Philly. She’s a mom who loves fashion and people and runs her business all from the muscle! She a designer, buyer, merchandiser, photographer, model, whatever she needs to be for her business. I had the opportunity to learn hands on what it takes to run a business. I’ve seen her exhausted but I never seen her give up. Most people think of fashion jobs as glitz and glam but nobody talks about the hard work, the slow days, the all nighters, the shipping delays, the constant sewing machine mishaps. She gave me that perspective. She embraced me. She allowed me to be creative in her space that she created. She could’ve told me “no I don’t need an intern,” but I’m so grateful that she didn’t. I didn’t growing up seeing women who look like me have their own business let alone a fashion business. Because of her representation, I was able to see that there was space for me. I absolutely love her and she’s family to me now.

Instagram: @sydcharisse_

Linkedin: Sydney Renwrick

Twitter: @sydcharisse_

Facebook: Sydney Charisse Renwrick

Other: TikTok: @SyydTheKiddd_

Image Credits
1st pic (green outfit) I designed and created photo shoot pics (pink background/blue dress and cloud inspired pic) shot by @rockandrollazero on IG Ask Syd logo created by me Everything styled or creative directed by me