Collective: A Drift Story

Jared Parisi

In 2016, Emily Stearns opened The Drift Collective, an upcycled clothing store and manufacturer in downtown Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Today, Drift occupies two locations in Portsmouth and is thriving. This podcast tells the story of The Drift Collective, from Emily's initial idea for the company, to learning how to sew and renting her first retail location, to buying her first building from which Drift currently operates. It's a harrowing tale filled with real estate woes, smart and scrappy early business moves, brand building, water damage, a pandemic, old fuddy-duddy doubters, trips to Spain, surfing, sewing, and that sweet and savory (sometimes sour) dream of entrepreneurship. Jared Parisi, founder of Su Madre Podcasts, is the host and narrator, weaving a compelling yarn through clever narration and heartfelt reflections on the Drift journey. Carl Smith provides and absolutely stellar soundtrack to the proceedings. If you're a fan of How I Built This, The Story of 7North, The Just Enough Family, StartUp, or any nonfiction podcast miniseries, then this podcast is for you. Find out more about the Drift Collective here: https://thedriftcollective.com/ Find out more about Su Madre Podcasts here: https://sumadrepodcasts.com/ read less
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Chapter 5: What We Find In The Backchannel
Aug 4 2022
Chapter 5: What We Find In The Backchannel
Even though Emily secured the funding for the new building, she still had a massive uphill battle before she could actually buy it. A ridiculous number of unlucky things happened on the journey to owning a retail and production space for Drift. This final episode tracks the progress of how Drift bought the building despite the whole world showing signs that it might not happen after all. "Collective: A Drift Story" was written, edited, interviewed for, and narrated by Jared Parisi of Su Madre Podcasts. The artwork was created by Emily Stearns. The music was composed by Carl Smith. A massive thank you goes out to everyone involed in this project. Find out more about Drift here: https://thedriftcollective.com/ Find out more about Su Madre Podcasts here: https://sumadrepodcasts.com/

Episodes

Chapter 5: What We Find In The Backchannel
Aug 4 2022
Chapter 5: What We Find In The Backchannel
Even though Emily secured the funding for the new building, she still had a massive uphill battle before she could actually buy it. A ridiculous number of unlucky things happened on the journey to owning a retail and production space for Drift. This final episode tracks the progress of how Drift bought the building despite the whole world showing signs that it might not happen after all. "Collective: A Drift Story" was written, edited, interviewed for, and narrated by Jared Parisi of Su Madre Podcasts. The artwork was created by Emily Stearns. The music was composed by Carl Smith. A massive thank you goes out to everyone involed in this project. Find out more about Drift here: https://thedriftcollective.com/ Find out more about Su Madre Podcasts here: https://sumadrepodcasts.com/
Chapter 4: Building Chasers
Aug 4 2022
Chapter 4: Building Chasers
In episode 4, we will track the progress of The Drift Collective's attempt to buy an entire building in downtown Portsmouth, to serve as Drift's new retail and production space. We will also hear more from Diana and Maeve, and we will learn how COVID impacted Drift. Original music in this episode was composed by Carl Smith. "Sun I'd Seen" by SixFoxWhisky was used by permission. Find out more about Drift here: https://thedriftcollective.com/ Find out more about Su Madre Podcasts here: https://sumadrepodcasts.com/
Chapter 3: Growing Out Of It
Aug 4 2022
Chapter 3: Growing Out Of It
In episode 3, we will meet two essential team members of the Drift Collective. We will also explore how Drift secured its first retail and production location. Finally, we will learn how Drift eventually grew out of that original space, requiring them to seek a new, larger location. Original music in this episode was composed by Carl Smith. Find out more about Drift here: https://thedriftcollective.com/ Find out more about Su Madre Podcasts here: https://sumadrepodcasts.com/
Chapter 2: She Needs A Serger
Aug 4 2022
Chapter 2: She Needs A Serger
In episode 2, we will meet the person who taught Emily how to sew. We will also find out what drives The Drift Collective to be an environmentally suatainable company in an industry which is widely considered extremely wasteful.  Original music in this episode was composed by Carl Smith. Find out more about Drift here: https://thedriftcollective.com/ Find out more about Su Madre Podcasts here: https://sumadrepodcasts.com/
Chapter 1: Keystones
Aug 4 2022
Chapter 1: Keystones
In episode 1 of Collective: A Drift Story, we will meet Emily Stearns. Emily is the owner of The Drift Collective, an upcycled, sustainable, vintage clothing store and manufacturer in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. We will track her progress as an entrepreneur from childhood until she first got the idea to open Drift after she graduated from college.  Original music in this episode was composed by Carl Smith. "Little Dagger, Little Sweetness" by Jake Simmons and the Little Ghosts was used by permission. Find out more about Drift here: https://thedriftcollective.com/ Find out more about Su Madre Podcasts here: https://sumadrepodcasts.com/