Today we’d like to introduce you to Mary Soracco.
Mary, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
After burning out of a career in healthcare administration in 2013, I had plans to have a second child with my husband, and stay home for a few years. We ended up not being able to do so.
I didn’t want to go back to health care, and I had picked up a long-lost hobby of beadwork & jewelry making, which led to establishing the Contrary Dame brand in 2016.
That brand still continues today, but after the economic difficulties many of us had beginning in 2020, it became unsustainable as a primary source of income.
I decided in 2024, at the age of 49, to pursue a certification in Pilates instruction, after falling in love with it myself the year before. I’m really excited about all the health benefits I’ve already been able to help people enjoy as a cert student, as well as a career that seems to speak to my rip-roaring ADHD in every way.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
The jewelry business was going well–paying for itself and allowing me a little cash to squirrel away. I was working 3-4 days a week, selling at popups, goth clubs, festivals, artwalks, conventions, burlesque shows, punk rock & metal shows. Adventure after adventure, even branching out into organizing a few popups myself. I even started an auxiliary IG account called Socal Hustle, where I search for all the good popups and repost them for other vendors in one place.
Then came March 2020. I could stop right there, but for the sake of detail: Watching my full calendar clear out in a matter of just a few days was so surreal! Like sand escaping through my fingers. I had the funds to sit and hold on through the worst of the lockdowns without starving, so mostly I tried to organize what I called “Sit and Shop” events on Facebook, where I’d post my peers’ art and handmade items for sale. I was aware of how lucky I was to have my spouse’s income to lean on; so many of these handmade artists either have nothing else, or have full-time jobs on top of their artistic endeavors, which is also difficult. My own plan was to hold on however I could, help other people make the sales they needed, and emerge with new creations ready to sell when it was all over.
When people started holding in-person events again, I realized that so many people had started art or handmade businesses during their downtime. No shade, becaues the hustle is to be admired–but the market since we have all returned has been very saturated, as Halloween and handmade popups become bigger trends. Seems there’s a sBpooky popup every weekend, and fewer and fewer visitors to them, as people watch their pocketbooks more closely. Realizing that Contrary Dame wasn’t going to be sustainable as my primary career was a hard realization; it felt like a failure on my part in many ways.
Now…the Pilates road? Rougher than I thought it would be, although I had plenty of misgivings; I was 49, and had treated my body like garbage pretty much my whole life. I was never athletic or into exercise or movement for its own sake. And learning at my age is not the same as it was when I was last in school at age 21. So it was plenty intimidating to walk into the studio and see that my classmates were at least 20 years younger, already fit, and had exercise backgrounds. (Thankfully everyone has been FANTASTIC to me, so it’s all been a “ME” problem.) I’ve had some trouble remembering small things like anatomy facts, and small exercise details. During tests, my head completely clears and I know nothing. I still need to retake my level 5 test. And because we as humans are sooooo good at being our own worst enemies, I’ll admit that keeping myself consistent with my own Pilates practice and study has been a challenge as well.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
Regarding my jewelry work–I’m proud that I’ve rarely made the same necklace twice. Everyone out there walking around with a necklace by me has a one-of-a-kind item. I’m proud that, after many years of dealing with childhood and early adulthood trauma that halted my creativity, I’ve completed over 1500 necklace-and-jewelry sets since I began. I’m proud that people enjoy it. I’m especially proud when someone tells me that they specifically looked for me at an event. I’m proud of my eye for color. I’m known for my Big Black Bat necklaces, featuring a black enamel bat with a 5-inch wingspan. I’m proud that I haven’t hiked my prices up to high heaven in the last 5 years.
Regarding my Pilates instructor training: I am planning on specializing in Classical Pilates, the way it was originally designed and taught; I’m hoping to work with pregnant women in their 2nd and 3rd trimesters, with people who have conditions like Ehlers-Danlos, and with men. I think a lot more men should be doing Pilates. I also plan to hold affordable mat classes for low-income folks wherever and whenever I can. I’m proud of my own progress as an instructor and a practicer of Pilates, and I absolutely love that I can turn someone’s bad day around in an hour.
Networking and finding a mentor can have such a positive impact on one’s life and career. Any advice?
You have to get over whatever shyness you feel and get out there and talk to people. So many artist types tend to get shy and feel like they’re not good enough to apply for spots or ask for any level of mentorship. But it’s okay to say, “I’ve been following your business for a while, do you mind if I occasionally ask you for advice or tips for success?”
With the jewelry business, what helped me most was going from booth to booth at a popup, talking to other vendors, making friends there. (Social media is great for that–“Hey, can we follow each other? I love your work.” Then be sure to engage with their content!) Before I knew it, I was hearing about all the other events people were doing, and I could apply at those events as well.
With Pilates, it’s a little more insular, but meeting and talking with as many instructors and fellow students as I can has been helpful for me to keep my head in the game. My favorite ice-breaker: “Hi, do you still have practice hours to do? You want a workout buddy?” I’ve also met a few other studio owners and started to attend workshops that they run, in order to see and try different brands of equipment, different teaching styles, and possible future places of employment.
Pricing:
- A private Pilates session with me at Pilates Punx in Studio City is $35.
- My jewelry prices range from $5 to $30
Contact Info:
- Instagram: jewelry: @contrary_dame; pilates: @pilati.illuminati
Image Credits
All photos have been taken by me.
