Hidden Gems: Meet Lori Geerdes of Fischer Goods

Today we’d like to introduce you to Lori Geerdes. 

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
Fischer Goods started out of my love for the planet, textiles, garment construction, and family roots. Raised in the Midwest influenced at a young age by my granny and mother who were both talented seamstresses. When it was time to go to college, I chose to attend Iowa State University and get a BS in Apparel Design. After graduation in Dec of 2000, I made my way out West to San Diego California, I began to developed my sense of style and expertise as an Apparel and Accessory designer in California for 16 years across various West Coast brands. Started as an assistant Designer for Pacsun on the Young Men’s Tops team. Stayed there and grew within the company designing a few different categories for a span of 6 years. I then went to work for Obey Clothing to be their SMU designer (special makeups) for their key accounts. This consisted of designing both men’s and women’s, all categories including accessories for 6 years. Ended up at Vans as the Women’s Accessories Designer for a short 2 years. I eventually was called back to the Midwest in 2017 to support my family when my mother became sick. After much time in an otherwise wasteful industry, I wanted to become a part of the solution and educate, encourage others about the importance of living a simple and sustainable lifestyle. So, this became my time to focus on my passion of Reducing, Reusing, and Recycling Textiles. 

More specifically, my love of nature and its pure beauty inspired me to start natural dying years ago and selling home goods and textiles. My Granny Fischer would embroider the days of the week on tea towels for my sisters and I and give them to us when we were in college living on our own. I Still have and use them daily. This was the major influence on my choice to primarily stick with home goods. I also love the idea of making long-lasting memories with friends and family while sitting around the dinner table. I dive deeper, into the trade every day. Trading in paper goods for the beauty of nature in your household is a simple way everyone can contribute to the future of our planet. 

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Yes and no… I say no because as most things when you start you are figuring things out as you go. My first job out of college when I chose to pack up out of Iowa and move to San Diego without anything lined up was an unpaid internship. Which I already had under my belt in college because I had to have one before graduating… So here I am with a college degree working 3 jobs to pay my bills. I had to work at a restaurant as a server on the weekends and work the night shift during the week at Banana Republic folding cloths to make ends meet while I gained trust and experience as an intern during the weekdays. It was one of the hardest but most rewarding years of my life. I learned and grew quickly and stayed focused on where I really wanted to be. It paid off in the end! 

As you know, we’re big fans of Fischer Goods. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
Fischer Goods is my brand and what I stand for. It’s all about putting our planet first and thinking of how to reuse, buy less and stay happy and positive. I natural dye textiles, using leftover foliage and flowers I find in nature on walks or grow in the backyard. My number one product that I’m known for is my natural dye tea towels, mostly used in the kitchen as a dishtowel. Natural dyed linen napkins are another thing I’m known for. I also, source and sell vintage clothing. Specifically, denim, t-shirts, sweatshirts, and workwear. I love the search and finding great pieces at estate sales or thrift shops. I love the story and history of a garment. I think what sets me apart from others is my history and experience in the apparel industry. I’m very knowledgeable of garment construction and when the quality of fabric and production was compromised for convenience and abundance. I’m always searching for the past years of when fabric ad garment quality was extremely good. I want people to know I’m here to educate and to be a resource to a different way of shopping for new items in your closet and home and to think of me when you want to give a housewarming gift, anniversary gift, or just make someone smile. 

You can shop my product through my website or Instagram account, www.fischergoods.com. 

Can you talk to us a bit about happiness and what makes you happy?
Being outside. I love nature and everything it provides for us. The colors, fragrance, foods, health, experiences… I’ve loved it since I was a little girl. I like to say I’m “solar-powered”. 

Pricing:

• hand-dyed tea towels are $20 each
• Hand-dyed linen napkins – pack of 4 are $40 – $50 depending the dye process.
• Vintage clothings – varies on website

Contact Info:

• Email: lori@fischergoods.com
• Website: https://fischergoods.com/
• Instagram: @fischergoods
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/fischergoods