She Was A Teenage Runaway And Homeless Mom - Today She’s A Millionaire
One woman literally went from rags to riches in a remarkable story of self-belief.
On her own
Mimi Goodwin, aka 'Mimi G' grew up in Chicago while spending most summers in Puerto Rico with her father. There, she cultivated her passion of sewing and crafting fabrics.
Due to a traumatic childhood that included sexual abuse from more than one family member, Mini fled Chicago for California when she was just 15.
By age 17, she was homeless, alone and pregnant with her first daughter.
Mimi tells NBC Right Now that through it all, sewing kept her together.
"There was so much trauma that I had to work through, but sewing was sort of a way for me to release and let go, and that's how I used it"
- Mimi Goodwin
Her DIY destiny
Despite her hardships, Mimi tells People that "everything I went through toughened me up," and she came away from her ordeal stronger and more focused.
She enrolled at a fashion school, but quickly realized that she had already taught herself everything they were charging top-dollar for.
That's when she made the life-changing decision to take her passion for sewing and style online.
"I was a single mom, struggling to make ends meet and trying my best to stay above water, when I started my blog"
- Mimi Goodwin
She started by showing others her patterns and sewing projects online. However, it was her 'Mimi G Style' YouTube page, with step-by-step videos, that gave birth to a brand.
“People went crazy for it,” she tells Forbes. “I had no intention of sewing for hire but, with the success of that video tutorial, I could turn my blog into a digital business.”
Two years and two million page views later, Mimi had left her job and was full-time DIY. She'd quickly built a large, loyal following of sewers.
Mimi's massive success revealed another golden opportunity: Teaching sewing and design to newbies.
Enter Sew It Academy, a platform that now boasts over 12,000 students and teaches everything from womenswear to pattern making and sketching.
Trust your passion
Today, Mimi G Style and Sew It Academy are both million-dollar brands. Not letting up, Mimi has two books in the works as well as several branded products scheduled to drop this year.
With her success, Mimi hass realized that her work is about more than just fashion.
"It was about giving people an outlet to be creative, and a safe place for them to feel like they could share what they were doing"
- Mimi G
Many of Mimi Goodwin's early years were anything but safe. Yet when everything was crumbling around her, it was her passion for sewing that kept her going and feeling secure.
She stuck with it, believed in herself and now she's on top of the world.
Whatever hardship you're going through as you read this, think of your passion and run to it, you never know where it might take you.
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Military Dad Defends His 4 Little Daughters When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Military Dad of 4 Daughters Defends His Girls When Strangers Make This Rude Remark
Austin von Letkemann is the military officer strangers feel "sorry" for — and the reason is infuriating.
Whenever the devoted father leaves the house with his four children, strangers can't help but notice the officer in uniform is holding hands with 4 adorable little girls. They will tell the traditionally "masculine" and "all American" dad they feel sorry for him, because he has no sons. This dad makes one thing very clear: They are his daughters, they aren't a burden.
In a passionate video, von Letkemann took to Instagram to share with his followers that the only thing that's "difficult" about being a girl dad — is clapping back to these sexist remarks over and over again.
They Mock His Daughters To Their Face
When strangers approach Austin von Letkemann and his four daughters, they don't always realize that their comments are being overheard. They seem oblivious to the fact that his girls understand every word. Von Letkemann describes how people will approach him and, without thinking, make remarks like "I'm sorry" or even joke about his lack of sons. What they don't realize is that these comments, intended to be light-hearted or humorous, can be deeply hurtful to his daughters. These strangers are not just disrespecting von Letkemann's choices as a father; they're also sending a message to his daughters that their presence is something to be pitied. It’s a message that von Letkemann won't stand for, and he's speaking out to defend his girls from these insensitive remarksSaying "Get Your Shotgun" Isn't Funny — It's Sexist
Another common comment that Austin von Letkemann encounters is the old "better get your shotgun ready" trope, often delivered with a smirk or a wink. This line is typically intended to suggest that a father with daughters should be on high alert to protect them from potential "suitors," implying that they are objects to be guarded rather than individuals with agency.
Von Letkemann finds this line of thinking outdated and sexist. In his viral Instagram video, he points out that these jokes are not just stale — they're damaging.
By suggesting that his daughters require armed protection, the joke reinforces the idea that women are inherently vulnerable and need to be shielded from men. Von Letkemann argues that instead of promoting this narrative, society should focus on teaching respect and consent, challenging these sexist tropes at their source.
Watch Austin von Letkemann's Video:
"If I Had A Fifth Child, I'd HOPE It Was A Girl" — One Dad's Message For Other Parents
Despite the constant remarks about his lack of sons, Austin von Letkemann is clear: He wouldn't trade his daughters for anything.
In fact, he told his Instagram followers that if he were to have a fifth child, he would hope for another girl. This declaration isn't just about doubling down on his pride in his family — it's a pointed response to those who see fathering daughters as a misfortune.
Von Letkemann's stance is a powerful one, rejecting the notion that a family is incomplete without sons. He encourages others to question the assumptions behind these comments and to appreciate the joy and fulfillment that his daughters bring. By sharing his story, von Letkemann hopes to create a more inclusive perspective on fatherhood, one that values daughters just as much as sons.