Today we’d like to introduce you to Paige Hoag
Paige, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I started out in college learning to sew by myself because I was broke. I started sewing curtains, other household items, and then some of my own clothing. My first piece of clothing was a long patchwork dress because I needed something fun to wear to music festivals. After graduating college in 2009 with a BS in Psychology, I hit my career path as a Behavioral Therapist in Minneapolis and then in 2013 my partner and I moved to Southern California and worked as an ABA therapist for two years. While working as a Behavioral Therapist, I started sewing bags for myself with scrap fabric I bought in Minneapolis and decided to sell at a pop up a friend was hosting. From there I decided it was what I wanted to do and I was unhappy at my therapist position so I quit and worked at two different restaurants / breweries while sewing to make ends meet. After a few years of selling consignment, wholesale, and at markets I wanted to learn more clothing construction. I didn’t have the money to go back to school so I would drive to LA and take pattern making classes and learn everything on my own. I was broke and hungry to learn. I ended up applying for a Production Coordinator position with a lifestyle brand in Santa Barbara, CA and learned so much about the production side and business side but became quickly burnt out with the demand of the job. I resigned from that position and transitioned back into Bolt West while also volunteering to sew with Patagonia’s Worn Wear department at local events. That is when it really hit me that sewing and repairing is what I want to do. Working with them really opened my eyes to the sustainability aspect. There was a job opening in the Forge at Patagonia in 2019 where the Research and Development team needed a seamstress for sample making. I applied immediately and went through months of interviews, finally landing the job in 2020. COVID hit and right after I renewed my contract, I was furloughed. To make a long story short, I was not offered my position back due to budget cuts so my partner and I decided to move back to MN. We took a long road trip in August of 2020 to the Boundary Waters and I decided to contact some jobs in hopes to get interviews while visiting. Our lives were up in the air and we were trying to keep options open. Unfortunately, Repair Lair in Minneapolis was stuck in the middle of protests, so the interviews were off. I contacted Duluth Trading and Frost River to see if they had any seamstress openings. I was able to interview with both companies and decided to go with Frost River. It was a very hard transition for me moving from California to northern Minnesota but I had to keep moving forward and remember that it was out of my control. During my year as a Production Seamstress at Frost River, I had my first child and decided to stay home with her. I started looking for jobs once I felt ready postpartum and came across Technical Design (TD) Assistant at maurices. After two years, the new CEO came in and eliminated 90% of our TD team. Again, out of my control and I lost another job I loved. I returned to the brewery scene as a bartender and in the fall of 2024, I finally felt the motivation and inspiration to start sewing again. This time around, refocusing on what I really believe in. Instead of making Bolt West bags and accessories, I am focusing on clothing and gear repairs! One less garment in the landfill and I am inspired to continue learning and be a resource for the Duluth area. Since I started Bolt West, I have really learned through my experience what I am most interested in and that is sustainability and sewing. I will be making bags only with upcycled or vintage fabric to sell in the future but for now I am going to focus on clothing and outdoor gear repair!
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Not at all. Sometimes I wish I would have followed my passion and attended school for apparel design but I was young and didn’t know it could be a successful career. I’ve never had much money so I am used to being frugal and resourceful. Overall, it adds to my willingness and hunger to learn and DIY what I can. Honestly, if it weren’t for my persistence, volunteering, and putting myself out there, I wouldn’t be where I am today. I’d say the hardest for me has been losing my dream job at Patagonia during COVID which really flipped my life upside down. I felt so defeated and depressed. It took a couple years to process that change. Little did I know, I’d lose yet another job at maurices. It took me a while to find inspiration and motivation to get back to sewing. Life has had a lot of setbacks and if you want something, you really need to put yourself out there and work hard. I grew up with a single mom so through life and job experiences, I have become resilient and adaptable and see that as strength now.
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?
I started Bolt West out by using unique textiles from my travels around the world and combining that with leather to design everyday travel accessories. Through my experiences in the last 10 years, I have found that what I really want now is to be a sustainable brand, focusing on giving life to old or worn garments. I love and respect the outdoors and find joy in repairing clothing and gear, giving it a new life and functionality to be used for even longer. My favorite is when the client says to do what I want which is fun adding some personality and creative colors to a repair. I have learned how much waste occurs in clothing production and would rather up-cycle and use what has already been made to create new items or sew my own clothing when I have time. Using my hands to figure things out is the best. My husband and I are very resourceful and usually try to DIY before heading to a store to buy it. We work as a team and learn from each other.
I am most proud of persevering through the lows in my business and my own career path, being honest with myself and learning through the mistakes I’ve made. I have taught myself most of what I know through curiosity, determination, and thirst for knowledge in my passion that is sewing and sustainability.
I think what sets Bolt West apart from others is that I am focused on repairing anything that can fit under my three industrial machines so that you can continue using what you have and keep it out of the landfill. I love to teach others who are interested in the same and hope this repair movement continues!
We love surprises, fun facts and unexpected stories. Is there something you can share that might surprise us?
How tough it has been for me to get where I am today. Learning everything on my own after college and a career to pursue my passion. Working 2-3 jobs to pay for supplies to do what I want. I got the job experiences I’d say mostly because of my curiosity and determination to learn and figure it out. If you have a passion, just start and don’t overthink it.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.boltwest.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/boltwest/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61551585577684
