Meet Tia Robinson: Actor/Dancer/Entrepreneur

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

Hi Tia, can you walk us through the thought-process of starting your business?

Alf-Phi was born out of the want to lessen the impact textile waste is taking on our planet. Learning that textile industry is the second most polluting (behind oil) was a huge eye opener for me. When I fell in love with a maker who uses vintage materials to create beautiful bonnets, it dawned on me that I could follow suit and handcraft one of a kind clothing garments for children using preloved and deadstock textiles.

Alf-Phi not only creates heirloom children’s clothing but we do so by using reclaimed materials, thereby keeping perfectly good items out of landfills that can then be upcycled into adorable, sustainable new pieces.

Let’s talk shop? Tell us more about your career, what can you share with our community?
I have always loved fashion (following in my mother and her mother’s footsteps) and thought it would be an industry in which I would always be a part. When dancing and acting became my main focuses, fashion fell to the wayside. I’m so happy to be able to bring that passion back into my life. I never thought I would be creating children’s clothing but my daughter is my main inspiration and I love that I can make one of kind fashions for her to wear, as well as sustainable, eco-friendly clothing for other children.

I’ve also learned that running your own business is not for the faint of heart! It has been a difficult journey being a one woman show; I created and run the website, I design and sew the garments, I keep track of all the business receipts and expenses, etc. It is not easy and can get very overwhelming at times. Plus, opening a new business right as Covid-19 shut the world down was an interesting journey, to say the least. I’m just now finding motivation again after a bit of a hiatus because I burnt the candle at both ends in the beginning and needed a little break.

Support from other small shops on Instagram, such as Sweet As April and All The Tiny Rebels (both sustainable), has been invaluable, as well as from all the moms and dads who have supported Alf-Phi! I’m so grateful to them all for helping me believe I could do this and that it is worthy cause.

Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
There have been so many people who have helped this little shop grow wings. First, my cousin, Sarah-Marie Parish, is the one who invested in this idea and has supported me unconditionally from the very beginning. My mother, Betty, and mother-in-law, Kathy, helped me to see that I could teach myself to sew (I am completely self taught, as they both are) and make this all reality.

Sweet As April, created by Carrie Keefe, is the small shop that creates the beautiful bonnets from preloved materials that gave me the inspiration to start this endeavor. She has also been a wonderful friend and someone I can touch base with if I have any questions in regards to getting a small shop off the ground.

And, of course, daughter Phoenix, for being my muse and my partner, Charlie, for always cheering me on and giving me advice when I need it.

Website: www.Alf-Phi.com

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alf_phi

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alfphichildrenswear

Image Credits
Headshot: Ashley Nguyen, @imashnguyen