From Passion to Profession: Lessons in Creativity and Sustainability from 27Dyes Founder Jessica Hall
Who is 27Dyes? This week in MGNT 440 & ENTR 350, students had the opportunity to hear from Jessica Hall, a local Roanoke entrepreneur and founder of 27 Dyes, a small business known for its creative and one-of-a-kind tie-dye apparel and workshops. What started as a hobby for Jessica has grown into a thriving business, one that balances artistry, entrepreneurship, and personal well-being. Jessica’s story offered an authentic look at the reality of running a creative small business: the triumphs, the burnout, and the constant evolution needed to stay sustainable. As she explained, being a “one-woman show” comes with both freedom and pressure. Every task from design and production to marketing, accounting, and customer service, falls on her shoulders. Over time, Jessica realized that sustaining creativity while running a business required structure, self-awareness, and eventually, trust in others. Evolving the Business Model Initially, Jessica focused on selling unique, one-of-...