Caeresa Richardson, the proud owner of Ecodessa took a huge leap of faith, left her career as a Mechanical Engineer to launch this boutique in 2019. She created Ecodessa to unite style and awareness, making them accessible for the everyday woman. Through her unique perspective, combining the technical and chic, she empowers women to express their social values through their personal style.

In her career as a mechanical engineer, she saw the damaging effects that traditional manufacturing practices have on the environment. This awareness prompted a personal lifestyle shift. She struggled to find ethical brands that were also feminine and modern. She saw an opportunity to affect the industry in a different way, bridging my two passions – engineering and fashion – to create a community of stylish, conscious shoppers.

For Caeresa creating Ecodessa was also about establishing a legacy for her family including her husband and daughter. It’s important to her that she raises her to believe that she can do, be, and achieve anything that she wants. She felt conflicted that she was not pursuing what she ultimately felt pulled to do and thought “how could I tell her to do this…if I don’t do the same.” On August 31, 2020 her daughter cut the ribbon opening the only Black Owned retailer in downtown Syracuse.