Today we have another wonderful interview! I was so excited that when I reached out to Megan, she joyfully said yes for me to interview her. Megan is the owner of the online store, Infinite Wonderland. She creates the most stunning products for Disney and Broadway lovers. She is overall just the definition of a “girl boss” and such a kind gal! I hope y’all enjoy my interview with Megan!
What is your name? Where are you from?
My name is Megan Sweeney and I am from Orange County, California currently living in New York City.
Tell us a little bit more about Infinite Wonderland Store!
Infinite Wonderland is a place for everyone who loves a bit of magic and creativity and fun! It is a place for magic lovers and theater lovers to unite.
What made you start Infinite Wonderland Store? What was the process like?
Infinite Wonderland started the night I left my job at Danielle Nicole Handbags. I finally had the confidence and love for myself to put my dreams out there and make them a reality. I realized I didn’t want to stop doing Disney designs and decided to start my own brand where I would be my own boss and create the things I thought were missing in stores and online. It was terrifying and exhilarating all at the same time. I designed the website that night and spent the next several days coming up with designs and not backing out to ensure I didn’t chicken out and follow through.
What is the design process like for your products?
I have been working in fashion design for almost my whole life so I have a lot of training on how to plan a “collection” and it all starts with research. I spend loads of time on Pinterest and Instagram saving and pinning any and everything that inspires me. When I have an idea I sketch it out and then start planning it in Procreate on my iPad. If it’s something musical theater I always listen to the cast recording while sketching and write down certain lyrics or moments that I feel are important to the design. A lot of times I actually have found posting it and doing polls on Instagram really helps as well. I risk people seeing a design before it’s done but then I can get their reactions and see how it would sell which is so much more helpful.
What is like planning and having all your beautiful photoshoots?
First of all, thank you! I have always LOVED fashion photoshoots since as long as I can remember. My walls and inspiration boards were covered with them my whole life (and still are) so the idea that I can do that now for myself is amazing and so fun! I have also had a huge passion for styling, makeup, and DIY so this is also a way to combine all my loves into one place. It all starts with the theme of the movie/show. I research either locations or backdrops that match the theme and try and find something that will look as close to the source material as possible (while still being in New York). The same goes for the makeup, hair, and styling and I try and make a mood board of what the characters look like/my interpretation of them and use pieces I already have to style the shoots. My amazing boyfriend usually takes all the shots for me and it has been a learning process for both of us which has also been really fun.
How do you manage both Infinite Wonderland Store and everyday life?
This is something I definitely need to get better at because most days I spend almost all of my time on the brand. However, it is never boring or something I feel like is “work” because I love it so much. Planning ahead and having content and scheduled releases is what really helps the most because then I can have free time to focus on my personal life and get the basic stuff done in order to live done!
What’s your favorite part of owning Infinite Wonderland Store?
There are so many things I love about owning my own brand and being my own boss but I think my favorite part is seeing people wear my designs. That feeling will never ever get old and every time I see someone in something I designed and made it makes me the happiest person in the world.
What has it been like seeing the impact that Infinite Wonderland Store is having on people? Any stories you would like to share?
The idea that my designs have an impact on people and that they are wearing them around the world is still hard for me to wrap my head around. Seeing people in other countries wearing my designs is so incredible and I really do feel like I am spreading magic around the world and it is the most beautiful thing. Not to mention people wearing my shirts to Broadway shows blows my mind and makes me feel like I am a part of them! I have a lot of moments that have happened that have been so special but one in particular that made me so happy was that someone wanted my shirt to wear to their first day of school. To me, that was always such a big deal and the one thing that made me happy in school; so the idea that someone wanted my designs for an important day made me really feel the impact I can have and I will never take it for granted.
Any advice you have for someone wanting to start a business?
Get to know your audience and have a clear idea of what you want to do, and why you want to do it. I am still learning as I go but I have also worked for several companies and have seen what has worked and what hasn’t and that has really helped as well. And have fun!
What do you see for the future of Infinite Wonderland Store?
I want to grow this brand to be a big community of theater and Disney lovers and have my designs reach more people. I have a potential to sell at BroadwayCon and that could be huge for the brand and something like that where I can meet and reach more people is the path I want to continue on.
Who is a woman that you look up too in the theatre community and why?
I have so many beautiful women that I look up to in the theatre community so I will list a few and then a main one for me. Sierra Boggess, Cynthia Erivo, and Christy Altomare are the 3 main ones I gravitate towards. I love Sierra’s motto of “You are enough, you are so enough, it’s unbelievable how enough you are” because it is so positive and such a powerful message for when you are riddled with self-doubt and feel like nothing you do is going to matter or make a difference. I love Cynthia because that woman is an actual goddess. She inspires me just because she is such a strong force of power, strength, beauty, and raw talent that blows me away. I love seeing a woman being so raw and showing how strong she has made her body through fitness, but that she is also one of the most beautiful women in this world and there aren’t many women that I look up to that are like that. Christy Altomare is a pure, genuine, and kind spirit that inspires me to be a better person anytime I see or listen to her. You can tell she loves each and every person she interacts with and wants to be a source of love and light. I think that is something that women can see and look up to as such a healthy and positive role model to be like.
Thank you Megan for taking the time to do this interview. You are absolutely so sweet and kind. Thank you for being such an inspiration! Everyone please go check out Megan and Infinite Wonderland! You can find Megan/Infinite Wonderland on Instagram @infinitewonderlandstore and you can shop all of her amazing products on her website https://infinitewonderlandstore.com/. It’s never too early to start thinking about holiday gifts. I know I will be adding some of Megan’s products to my Christmas list this year! If you go check out her Instagram , tell her that Broadway Babes Blog sent you! Go show Megan some love!
Until next time,
Marisa
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