Rising Stars: Meet Gina Fasano

Today we’d like to introduce you to Gina Fasano.

Hi Gina, we’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
Summer 2021: I was a suicide survivor, a college dropout, working part-time not knowing what I was doing with my life. I always knew I would work for myself in some way but I was never too sure of what it would be. I saw more and more people around me and on social media start tie-dying T-shirts and creating cute designs so I thought to myself, “I can do that too!” I started bleach-dying shirts in July of 2021, bought and learned how to use a Cricut machine to up my game. In November 2021, my dad bought me a single-needle embroidery machine, something brand new to get my feet wet with. By the end of November, my Etsy was blowing up with orders for Nike Christmas-themed embroidered hoodies and crewnecks. December 14, 2022, my Etsy page was deleted after multiple false reports of hate speech and other outrageous claims on my Grinch Hoodies, which I’m sure were made by people who don’t favor me too much but that’s okay. I spent the next 6 months doing small projects for people in my area or my other cannabis friends who I know online, while also building my own website.

I jumped out of my comfort zone at the end of June 2022 and started doing cut and sewing on the sewing machine. I started cutting up different things such as dog leashes, cannabis bags, and different patches/materials. My art started to become more noticed, appreciated, and passed around by my target audience and the cannabis community. Here we are at the end of 2022 and I’ve accomplished things I never imagined. I made custom pieces that have sold for $200 and up to people who genuinely appreciate my work, I’ve made custom pieces for Berner, I’ve made connections in cannabis that I never believed would be true, and best of all I’ve finally found where I feel like I belong. Like Tyler, The Creator said: “I’ve always felt like the stepchild of life.” I’ve felt that way forever until I fell into the design and realize there are people here who are just like me, and who want to make positive changes like me.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Nothing worth having comes easy. My Etsy account was deleted in December 2021, at the time was my main source of income and my main source of customer reviews. It took me 6-7 months after building a community and a new website.

The road still hasn’t been easy but as a business owner and entrepreneur, I understand that failing and learning are all a part of the process. Especially as a woman in the cannabis lifestyle and just the design industry in general, it’s been hard to get people to take me seriously and actually believe I produce the designs that I do.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your work?
I classify myself as a designer, specializing in embroidery, HTV, and cut N sew designs. I’m mostly known for my out-of-the-box, creative denim designs, especially cannabis brand-related (such as cookies). I’m also known for my slogan “baked & busy” and our “club” known as “Quality Vibes Smokers Club”. I’m most proud of following my heart when designing something, I don’t really let outside influence or opinions while I’m designing.

I do what I think looks good and what I think my audience would genuinely enjoy. I also take pride in being a sustainable business. all of the blanks (T-shirts/hoodies/etc.) are made from 100% recycled materials and all of my cut N sew projects are made from second-hand materials as well.

Sustainable living baby!!

Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
My dad has been my biggest supporter through all of this, anytime he’s able to support or help me he never hesitates. Without my dad and the community of people who support me, there would be no Quality Vibes Cannabis.

Pricing:

• T-shirts $25-$35
• Hoodies $45-$55
• Custom denim $60-$300
• Small business apparel $300-$2,500

Contact Info:

• Website:https://qualityvibescannabis.store
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/qualityvibescanna?igshid=YWJhMjlhZTc=
• Youtube: https://youtube.com/@qualityvibescanna3665
• Other: https://theweedtube.com/user/gin-anjuice 

Image Credits
Quality Vibes Cannabis @qualityvibescanna