Anna Hovet: The Next Generation of Entrepreneurs at TEDxGrandForks

Anna Hovet discusses the technological and social implications of a pervasive Internet, as well as limited career prospects due to the recession have cultivated highly creative, resourceful, tech-savvy innovators within the Millennial generation. These characteristics are not in line with the rigid structure of standard workplaces. By identifying and encouraging these traits we have an opportunity to breed a new generation of entrepreneurs.

Anna Hovet is an entrepreneur, fashion designer, educator, and social media influencer based in Chicago, Illinois. Born and raised in Grand Forks, North Dakota, Anna moved to Chicago and earned her BFA from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago in 2007. After graduation, she was hired by Kids Headquarters where she designed layette for Ecko, Calvin Klein, Kenneth Cole, and Target. Due to the recession, she was laid off and launched her young contemporary knitwear line, Anna Hovet, in 2009 at the age of 23. Exceeding most expectations, the line was immediately ordered by several boutiques. Anna was soon selected as a Designer in Residence at the Macy's Chicago Fashion Incubator which helped launch her business. Since 2009 she has successfully ran her company, which is continually growing and gaining notoriety. In May 2013 she was selected as one of twenty participants in The Workshop at Macy's - an exclusive retail vendor development program for high potential business owners. Anna Hovet is available online and in several boutiques across the country.

Anna Hovet is one of the most recognized names in Chicago Fashion and has had sponsorship deals with United Airlines, Kraft, and EFFEN Vodka. Her designs can be seen on Jennifer Hudson and have been featured in several publications including Lucky Magazine, Chicago Tribune, and RedEye. She has appeared on NBC "1st Look" and was a contestant on the Kenmore Reality Web Series "So You Wanna Be A Designer". Her influential online social networking presence and clever marketing skills have been a great contributing factor to her success.

Hovet continually supports the Chicago Fashion community by manufacturing all garments locally and collaborating with many local independent artists. Hovet also sees fashion as a platform to address social issues, using the notoriety of her brand to organize charitable fashion shows, events at homeless shelters, and community clothing drives. In addition to operating her label, Hovet teaches Fashion Illustration at the School of the Art Institute of Chicago.

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