JILL PILLOT
This is an amazing journey for me, the changes and transformations since I have opened Ricochet March of 1996. Here is a brief history of these passed, for those who are new to Ricochet.
When I came to America in 1989 I had a dream. I wanted to have my own business and I wanted to be a mom. In March of 1996, I was now pregnant of my second child, and single. I did not really want to work for anyone, and wanted to be home with my children. So I went searching for a store front, and thought I would start a small consignment store. Amazingly, I was driving on El Camino Real and saw this small store front I thought I could afford...somehow...and on top of it, it had a living space...what more could I have wished for? “I can be an at-home-mom, and have my own business, all at the same time!!!!"
Yeah....So now I needed to find a name. So I went into the dictionary, and word by word I looked up for something that would suit the store perfectly, until I reached the letter R...and found Ricochet.....Ironically, thinking back, I also grew up ricocheting from one country to another.
I thought I will stay here for about five or six years. This is perfect while the children are small; I can be at home with them and work at the same time. Before I knew it, years have gone by now, and Ricochet is still standing, but not without, I would say changes, growth, and I am loving it.
Throughout the years, I started creating clothes and costumes here and there, and I really had found a passion for it. But I felt I lacked some techniques, so I decided to go to college full time and got my degree in Costume and Fashion Design and my General Education, while working and being a mom... Yeah...not easy, but still fulfilling my dreams, step by step.....
Now I have finally created my own line of clothes for children and women...all step by step.....
For the last few years I am going for my ultimate goal: Providing an open door for students and young professionals to develop their skills for success in today's demanding and oftentimes disheartening fashion industry. Through my, now called Ricochet's Wearable Art Academy Internship Program, I foster a collaborative learning environment that helps students grow their ideas, while expanding their skill set, and building their confidence. The Academy's internship program is a personalized learning experience that is open to students of any background or skill set. I understands the cutthroat reality of the fashion industry and aim to be a helping hand for students in their transition to a successful career.
I would like to be an inspiration to others through my designs and my classes, and explore our sense of creativity with the environment in mind.
When I came to America in 1989 I had a dream. I wanted to have my own business and I wanted to be a mom. In March of 1996, I was now pregnant of my second child, and single. I did not really want to work for anyone, and wanted to be home with my children. So I went searching for a store front, and thought I would start a small consignment store. Amazingly, I was driving on El Camino Real and saw this small store front I thought I could afford...somehow...and on top of it, it had a living space...what more could I have wished for? “I can be an at-home-mom, and have my own business, all at the same time!!!!"
Yeah....So now I needed to find a name. So I went into the dictionary, and word by word I looked up for something that would suit the store perfectly, until I reached the letter R...and found Ricochet.....Ironically, thinking back, I also grew up ricocheting from one country to another.
I thought I will stay here for about five or six years. This is perfect while the children are small; I can be at home with them and work at the same time. Before I knew it, years have gone by now, and Ricochet is still standing, but not without, I would say changes, growth, and I am loving it.
Throughout the years, I started creating clothes and costumes here and there, and I really had found a passion for it. But I felt I lacked some techniques, so I decided to go to college full time and got my degree in Costume and Fashion Design and my General Education, while working and being a mom... Yeah...not easy, but still fulfilling my dreams, step by step.....
Now I have finally created my own line of clothes for children and women...all step by step.....
For the last few years I am going for my ultimate goal: Providing an open door for students and young professionals to develop their skills for success in today's demanding and oftentimes disheartening fashion industry. Through my, now called Ricochet's Wearable Art Academy Internship Program, I foster a collaborative learning environment that helps students grow their ideas, while expanding their skill set, and building their confidence. The Academy's internship program is a personalized learning experience that is open to students of any background or skill set. I understands the cutthroat reality of the fashion industry and aim to be a helping hand for students in their transition to a successful career.
I would like to be an inspiration to others through my designs and my classes, and explore our sense of creativity with the environment in mind.
-Jill Pillot
