Interview #15 with Courtney Newman

I was curious to hear how all of Courtney’s different opportunities over the years led her to become the creative director that she is today. Following an internship in college, Courtney was hired as assistant designer right out of school that equipped her with the foundation for design and product execution.  

But it was Courtney’s own awareness that led her to establish a flourishing business and enhance the voice of users– specifically female users. 

SELF-STARTING

As she noticed a lack of representation and availability in women’s hard-to-find bra sizes, Courtney and a friend organized an inclusive lingerie brand. It was built on consumer feedback, and dedicated to closing this gap in the popular bra industry. 

While many young visionaries are taught to believe that corporate experience is required for the framework of success, personal drive is the most powerful momentum.  

It was great to share with Courtney the fulfillment of being a member of a self-starting atmosphere. I wanted to know, 

What kinds of skills did you need to teach yourself in starting your own company that you weren’t formally taught on the outside?

TRIAL, ERROR, REPEAT

In response, Courtney revealed that she learned the power of trial and error along the way of her journey. She believes there is a universal sense of accomplishment in learning by doing and redoing until done right.

She also emphasized the importance of feedback, whether that be through a mentor or through real customer engagement. Regardless of the hours of research put into a project, this experience of interaction and response is the fuel for growth and achievement.  

CREATE AND COLLABORATE

Courtney is currently the Director of Product Design at Thinx, a company that makes menstruation-friendly undergarments. She describes the environment as having a strong sense of place, with passionate employees who are willing to go above and beyond. 

To Courtney and myself, a start-up atmosphere allows room for creative liberty and collaboration. Finding your place within a team of other innovators and creative individuals can be just as important as the job description itself. 

Between sourcing and testing materials, improving functionality, and developing new designs, Courtney deals with a network of different “work streams” happening at the same time. 

The process involves everything from proposing a design to detailing the final stitch.

Watching a project come full circle from start to finish is a rewarding journey to be a part of. To be surrounded by supportive individuals along the way makes it an even better one. 

RECIPE FOR SUCCESS

Courtney and I shared some thoughts on the importance of sustainability in everyday life and design, and as Courtney pointed out, how there is always room to be better. 

But with an endless amount of challenges to tackle, it can be difficult to determine which basket to put your eggs into. To this, Courtney says,

“What’s going to make you happy at the end of the day? What are your priorities?”

As the director that she is today, Courtney shared her secret for success: experience. Speaking with others, working with teams, owning her own business, and all the hours put into what she cares about eventually contributed to Courtney’s achievement.