Today we’d like to introduce you to Kellen Tucker & Lorenza Lattanzi.
Hi Kellen & Lorenza, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Kellen: I was living in Athens, GA, in 2010 and actively sourcing and repairing quilts. Slowly, I started to sell them online. I moved to NY in 2011 and worked for an antique shop called Holler and Squall. The owners, Zak and Gillette, taught me a lot about retail, running a small business, and customer service in a unique environment. I never stopped buying textiles, so when a little bail bonds office became available close by, I rented it to house and sell my collection. The shop was a proof of concept. We moved to our Williamsburg location about a year later. Lorenza joined late 2017 and really grew Sharktooth’s custom services and repair program.
Lorenza: I was raised by thrifty creatives and craftspeople. My paternal grandmother was a skilled needleworker, and growing up, my mother always sourced fabric and had clothes made by a seamstress. Most of what I know today was learned on the job. In 2012, I worked in DC for a textile conservator, Julia Brennan at Caring for Textiles. She was a mentor, and my time with her catalyzed my career in textiles. At Sharktooth, Kellen really empowered me to experiment with non-conservation repair – I learned from reference books, practice, and trial and error.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Starting a business as a woman in NYC is full of countless challenges! Our business is so unique; every item is one of a kind, and there is a lot of research involved.
Sourcing these items is also challenging as our resources are not endless, and the supply is finite.
How do you define success?
We really enjoy our work, and in this day and age, that feels like a success of sorts. We work for ourselves and, therefore, have a lot of flexibility in our personal lives. We are better able to maintain a work/ life balance.
This work also allows us to slow down and work with our hands. We are able to share these special items we find with people who appreciate them, and that kind of regular connection feeds the soul.
Contact Info:
- Website: sharktooth.nyc
- Instagram: @_sharktooth_
Image Credits
Georgia Hilmer
