Guest Post: Falling Off Trees
I’m thrilled to feature Korie in this blog post. She’s an inspiring person I met at Groundwork, where my studio is located. Korie is one of the most passionate, talented, and driven people I’ve ever met, and I’m beyond happy to share her story here.
Korie is the creative mind behind Falling Off Trees, a business that recycles fallen leaves, petals, and kitchen scraps into custom, hand-dyed pieces.
Her journey inspires me, and I know my readers will love getting to know her better.
1. What first inspired you to start Falling Off Trees, and how did the idea turn into the business it is today?
The specific moment that inspired me to start Falling Off Trees occurred during a trip to Maine with my family in late 2020. I was captivated by the natural color combinations around me, gathering ideas for my then-hobby of natural dyeing. It was during this trip that my husband suggested the name "Falling Off Trees," which perfectly encapsulated the essence of my practice.
The journey from an artistic hobby to a small business unfolded through a series of small steps, persistence, and personal connections. I couldn’t have navigated this path as quickly without the support of my husband, family, and friends. I began by creating a separate Instagram account for Falling Off Trees, where I shared my work. A friend helped me build my first website, enabling me to take custom orders for garments I thrifted and naturally dyed. Participating in local pop-up markets introduced me to the community and paved the way for eventually leading workshops.
After initially applying to EforAll and facing rejection, I applied again and was accepted into their Summer 2023 cohort, which provided valuable resources, support, and funding opportunities. Working at Groundwork Coworking offered a conducive environment for growing my business and enhancing my community engagement. By consistently placing myself in challenging situations, I was able to develop my skills and take my work seriously. I invested time and resources into education, learned from other natural dyers, and cultivated genuine relationships within my community, which opened many doors (and closed some wrong ones) along the way.
2. What has been one of the most meaningful or memorable moments in your journey so far?
One of the most meaningful moments in my journey so far revolves around a project that began as a playful experiment but later gained profound significance.
During my early years of experimentation, I decided to naturally dye some XXL Carhartt shirts for my father, who was a construction worker. I loved the idea of extracting colors from plants to create funky patterns on heavy-duty workwear.
He not only embraced these shirts but wore one in particular constantly: a long-sleeve Carhartt dyed with cutch extract (pictured below). He wore it to nearly every family gathering and even refused to wash it, fearing he'd ruin the color.
That was the kind of person my father was: supportive to the core, the loudest voice cheering for his daughters, proud even in the smallest moments, yet secretly delicate and deeply sentimental. When he passed away unexpectedly, I was able to retrieve that shirt, which I still keep in a safe place. It carries the dirt from his collar and the faint scent of his cologne. This shirt has become a pivotal symbol in my natural dyeing practice and my business, inspiring me to use color as a means of memory and garments as vessels of storytelling.
3. Many readers enjoy the “behind the scenes.” What does a typical day look like for you, balancing creativity, business, and life?
Every day is a bit different, but here’s a rundown of what a "typical" weekday looks like for me at this point.
I wake up before the rest of my family, usually around 6:30 a.m. After getting dressed in something soft, I brush my teeth, do a facial massage, and head downstairs to make a warm tea with lemon and salt. I then take some time to pray or meditate and move my body, which often includes fascia flossing or some form of Pilates or strength training.
Once my husband wakes the kids, I take charge of packing lunches and making breakfast, and we aim to get everyone out the door by around 8:15 a.m.
After the morning rush, I come back home, slam back an espresso, and hop in the shower to prepare for the day. I like to dive into business tasks such as project planning, management, and emails while enjoying a second coffee and breakfast.
After about an hour, I either head to my basement studio for physical dyeing tasks, go thrifting, gather plants and materials for dyeing, or visit Groundwork Coworking to continue working if it’s more of a screen-heavy day.
In the mid-afternoon, I pick up my children and watch them play at the school playground until 3:00 p.m. When we get home, it’s time for homework, chores, and any lingering tasks or projects left from the day.
Before I know it, it’s time to make dinner, and sometimes we’re rushing to sports activities. When my husband comes home, we try to have dinner together and chat about our days, highlighting the best parts and anything that stood out.
After some downtime, it’s bedtime for the twins, who are currently on a kick of doing meditations, which I love. However, I often end up falling asleep in their beds! Sometimes I manage to make it downstairs to watch a show with my husband or just chat, but more often than not, I wake up and tuck myself back into bed.
Reflecting on all of this makes me realize why I sometimes fall asleep by 9:00 p.m. It’s also a reminder of how far I’ve come in creating rituals and routines that incorporate self-care and spirituality into my daily life.
4. What hidden challenges have you faced along the way that people might not see from the outside?
I think some people refer to it as "imposter syndrome" or "fear of being seen," and it might be a bit of both for me.
Since I started my career path later in life, after having children, and didn’t attend a formal art/business school, these themes are definitely something I’m working through. I’m focusing on understanding them and implementing practices to transform these feelings into strengths and lived experience.
For example, I challenge myself to put myself in rooms where I secretly feel I don’t belong, willing to show up and embrace the discomfort, even if I feel out of place. More often than not, it ends up working out. Sometimes it doesn’t, but I’m beginning to really enjoy the process.
I’m finding my own authentic journey in building this career and striving to be disciplined enough to beat the odds. I want to create a work life that I am not only passionate about and believe is important, but also one that I can look back on in the future and feel proud of.
I’ve been exploring Internal Family Systems (IFS) to uncover the root of my self-doubt, despite having worked through many obstacles in life and appearing confident on the outside. It’s a work in progress, but I believe that as I continue on this path, things will become clearer, and my doubts will lessen with time and experience. The older I get, the more I’m prioritizing to truly love myself and treat myself as someone who has a greater purpose.
5. What advice would you share with other women who are dreaming of starting something of their own?
The first piece of advice I would give is to start implementing your interest, hobby, or idea as soon as you can, using whatever resources you have at your disposal. When I began natural dyeing, I used stained onesies from my infants and onion skins I saved after cooking. Being resourceful and a bit gritty allowed me to start experimenting right away.
As humans, we often get caught up in the need to know everything before we begin, fearing we’ll look foolish. I say embrace the possibility of looking silly! Be vulnerable enough to make mistakes without letting it break your heart. I truly believe that if something lights you up, you are meant to pursue it. These small beginnings can gather momentum and lead you to opportunities you never planned for.
As a woman, having something that is uniquely yours, something you’ve helped build and pushed yourself to achieve, creates an autonomy that no one can take from you. The world wants your gifts, and they come through your ideas. The right doors will open; you just have to be ballsy enough to get out of your own way. And remember, it's never too late to begin.
Falling Off Trees - @fallingofftrees
Photos: taken by Samantha Garlington
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